AOTI Membership is for 12 months no matter when you join (excluding students who are studying Occupational Therapy in the Republic of Ireland).

There is an explanation of all AOTI membership categories on the Membership page which you can find here: www.aoti.ie/membership. Further details can also be found in AOTI Membership Policy www.aoti.ie/publications.

Joining AOTI means being part of a strong, collective voice for Occupational Therapy in Ireland. You’ll have access to high-quality CPD, professional guidance and resources to support your practice, and a network of peers across all areas of the profession.

Membership keeps you informed, connected and represented – whether through our advocacy work, advisory groups, events or communications. It also opens up opportunities to contribute to and shape the future of Occupational Therapy in Ireland.

At its core, AOTI membership is about supporting you in your work and strengthening the profession as a whole.

As a member of AOTI you can see the range of exclusive member resources / benefits you have access to here: https://www.aoti.ie/resource and https://www.aoti.ie/membership

If you are CORU registered and not currently practicing you are welcome to join / renew as a part time practicing member. Once you are on the CORU register you may still be audited, therefore you need to continue to do CPD as a practicing type member.

You can voluntarily remove yourself from the register for up to 2 years. It is advised you contact CORU about coming off the register at [email protected]

If you are no longer CORU registered, even temporarily, you can join / renew with AOTI as a non practicing type member, once your qualification is accredited by WFOT.

Login to AOTI and go to your dashboard where you will find access to receipts for all AOTI website transactions you have made. You can download and save the receipts.

It is recommended that you speak to the employer regarding this.

If you are CORU registered and not currently practicing you are welcome to join / renew as a part time practicing member. Once you are on the CORU register you may still be audited, therefore you need to continue to do CPD as a practicing type member.

You can voluntarily remove yourself from the register for up to 2 years. It is advised you contact CORU about coming off the register at [email protected]

If you are no longer CORU registered, even temporarily, you can join / renew with AOTI as a non practicing type member, once your qualification is accredited by WFOT.

AOTI has a dedicated CPD team consisting of two part-time staff members: the Director of Professional Development ([email protected]) and the CPD Administrator ([email protected]). We are available to answer your CPD queries and to provide a range of learning opportunities.

Each year, we deliver a robust, varied and inspiring CPD programme to support our members in maintaining competence and high standards in their professional practice. The CPD programme includes a mix of in-person and online courses, covering a broad range of topics and targeting different career stages. AOTI maintains close relationships with other HSCP professional bodies, often collaborating on interdisciplinary training and securing places for Occupational Therapists on courses.

AOTI e-Learning Centre and free monthly webinars run by AOTI offer access to more short-form, online learning opportunities. AOTI CPD Portfolio, which is aligned with CORU requirements, is a great facility to record your ongoing CPD. You will also find many interesting resources on the CPD section of our website.

Another key way AOTI supports CPD is through our Advisory Groups (AGs). Our AGs are comprised of members with a common practice interest. Along with advising AOTI on professional practice matters, AGs provide CPD specific to that area of practice through study days, webinars, etc. AGs also offer gre

All AOTI events are listed on the events page of the website. We advertise these in advance of applications opening in a CPD mailshot email to members as well as on our social media platforms

No, this means we have received your application. Applications are assessed by the CPD team (or relevant Advisory Group in the case of AG events), and successful applicants will receive confirmation of their place on the course by email. If the event is oversubscribed or your application is unsuccessful, you will be informed by email and provided with a full refund.

Usually, for an online course, we will be in touch with course details one week in advance, or for an in-person event, we aim to give this information two weeks in advance. For lunchtime webinars, the links to attend will be sent one to two days beforehand. You are always welcome to get in touch with us with any queries about a course ([email protected] or [email protected]).

This depends on the course.

• Short webinars: Generally, certificates are not automatically issued for short (e.g. one-hour) webinars, however, if you need one, you can get in touch with a member of the CPD team.
• Facilitated CPD courses: Attendance certificates will be issued approximately two weeks after the course ends. If you are an AOTI member, the certificate will appear on your dashboard; if you are not a member, it will be emailed to you. Occasionally, a course facilitator may issue their own certification rather than an AOTI one; in this instance, it will be provided in person or emailed to participants.
• E-Learning modules: Certificates are not provided for our e-Learning Centre modules. If you require a certificate, please contact us and we will provide a template that you can self-certify on completion of the module.

Please refer to the AOTI Event section of AOTI Terms and Conditions here: Terms And Conditions | The Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland.

No, places on CPD events are strictly non-transferable and must be booked in the attendee's name only. Only attendees registered to attend will be admitted to the event. If you are unable to attend, please contact the CPD team ([email protected] or [email protected]) as soon as possible, as there is often a waitlist for courses.

Each year, the HSE provides funding to AOTI to run CPD training for Occupational Therapists. This funding is provided through the National Health and Social Care Professionals Office (HSCP Office). If a course is run using this funding pathway, only staff in HSE-funded roles are eligible to attend. HSE-funded roles include staff who are working in S38 or S39 organisations. If you apply for one of these courses and you are not in an HSE-funded role, it is very unlikely your place will be approved.

For Occupational Therapists, under CORU registration requirements, CPD credits are self-allocated. Generally, one hour of new or enhanced learning = one CPD credit. Two people could do the same learning activity but allocate different credits to it depending on how much of the learning is new or enhanced. For more information on CORU CPD requirements, see here.

It depends on the event. Most of our CPD courses are not recorded. Generally, only short webinars are recorded, and some of these are then available on the e-Learning Centre (e.g. Let’s Talk About… Webinar Series). If a webinar is being recorded, this will be highlighted at the beginning of the event.

The e-Learning Centre provides CPD learning in an accessible, affordable and flexible way for all Occupational Therapists. We have training videos and resources sourced for you from experts in a wide range of areas. The modules allow you to engage in learning from the comfort of your own home, during CPD time allocated during your working day or even when you are using public transport. AOTI members benefit from a significantly discounted rate on all e-Learning Centre modules, as well as some webinar content that is free for members.

AOTI CPD Portfolio was designed to assist you in the process of meeting CORU’s CPD requirements by providing you with a useful and easy-to-use system for planning and documenting your CPD. By using AOTI CPD Portfolio, you can be confident that you have a robust CPD system in place that both supports your ongoing learning and provides you with a comprehensive record of this learning.

When a membership is not renewed, and the 28-day grace period to make a renewal has passed, the data linked to that membership, including the contents of the CPD portfolio, may be removed. If you do not intend to renew your membership, we advise that you download your CPD Portfolio information prior to your membership expiring.

The CPD team are always happy to hear from you ([email protected] or [email protected]). We encourage all members to take part in our annual AOTI CPD Survey and AOTI Membership Survey, along with completing course feedback after attending an event. We also remind members that the various Advisory Groups welcome suggestions and feedback on CPD.

AOTI website section ‘find a therapist’ is your best place to locate a private Occupational Therapist in your area who can assist you. This can be located on the top lefthand side of the home page and at this link: https://www.aoti.ie/ot-directory.

You can filter by geographic area, age range and type of service/s required. All contact details for private Occupational Therapists are available on this link.

Any arrangements and appointments can be discussed/arranged directly with the therapist according to their service provision. Some Occupational Therapists include further information regarding their practice – worth checking to ensure can you find a suitable Occupational Therapist.

Members of AOTI can add their private practice details to the directory. Proof of insurance needs to be sent to AOTI at [email protected] and a directory information form needs to be completed in the Private Practice section of the members dashboard. https://www.aoti.ie/footer/Private-Practice-Insurance

Please login and to go private practice section on the dashboard and scroll down to the form you completed. Once saved the changes will appear on the directory immediately www.aoti.ie

AOTI have partnered with Arachas to establish an exclusive insurance scheme for Occupational Therapists in collaboration with Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland (AOTI). Further details regarding rates and insurance for your business are available https://www.aoti.ie/footer/Private-Practice-Insurance

The Arachas AOTI Insurance Scheme has been developed specifically to meet the needs of the Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland and to give you the peace of mind that can only be found in a robust package of insurance cover.

For further information please go to: Arachas Team on 01 2935344 or [email protected]

In order to support members, we have worked with Arachas to provide answers in relation to some frequently asked questions in relation to insurance. See https://www.aoti.ie/footer/Private-Practice-Insurance

For rates and process to advertise with AOTI please go to: www.aoti.ie/advertise

• AOTI website advert and link to advert included in weekly mailshot to members until closing date (max 6 weeks)
• Social Media - (must be used in conjunction with website advert)
• 
  

If you do not have a credit card for online payment, please email [email protected] and a code can be sent in place of payment. An invoice will be sent to you in the coming weeks.

Please refer to the CORU website at the link here: News for Health & Social Care Professionals - Coru

The process regarding research being distributed to AOTI members is detailed in below

https://www.aoti.ie/research/Accessing-AOTI-Database-for-Research-1

Access to student placements in Ireland, even for Irish students, can be difficult.

Students who are overseas and wishing to access a placement in Ireland should speak with the placement coordinator of the University they are attending in the first instance. It is preferred that that University Placement Coordinator contact Irish universities and/or clinical settings.

Occupational Therapy services may be able to offer OT students from abroad a placements, if they are available.

If this is not feasible other options include:

• Contact the Occupational Therapy service (this may be in the HSE primary Care or in all other Hospitals) to request a shadowing opportunity. You can find details on this HSE link. Please also consider our local hospitals. https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/1/lho/
• Contact other Occupational Therapy employers such as voluntary bodies/disability service such as Enable Ireland, Brothers of Charity, Daughters of Charity to see if they could offer a shadowing opportunity. These are classified as Section 38 and 39 services
• Another option is to contact a private Occupational Therapist - a list of private Occupational Therapists in Ireland is available on our website here: https://www.aoti.ie/ot-directory

The Ann Beckett award recognises, and rewards, occupation based practical interventions led by occupational therapists. It celebrates projects that showcase the use of meaningful occupation, that involves clients and inspire colleagues.

AOTI members are invited to apply for the Ann Beckett award each year and this will be advertised in the news section of AOTI website. Further details regarding past winners of the award and the application process can be found https://www.aoti.ie/about-us/Ann-Beckett-Award

The Eva Duggan Award recognises and rewards practice-based research projects in paediatric Occupational Therapy. It celebrates projects that showcase the use of meaningful occupation, involve clients and encourage role-emerging practice.

Further details regarding past winners of the award and the application process can be found https://www.aoti.ie/about-us/Eva-Duggan-Award

Login to membership and to your dashboard where you will find access to receipts for all AOTI website transactions you have made. You can download and save the receipts.

Members can access AOTI Housing in the publications section of AOTI website www.aoti.ie/publications.

The Irish Adaptation of the Handwriting Speed test (IA) HST, 2nd edition is standardised and norm referenced on 1224 students from 3rd class (Primary) to 6th Year (Second level) in randomly selected schools throughout the Republic of Ireland. This test may be administered to individuals or whole classes.

You can purchase the test through the following suppliers – https://www.brainworx.ie/ and https://www.otb.ie/

Members can access our publications, including position papers, guidelines and handbooks here: www.aoti.ie/publications .

Some documents are also accessible by non members.

This may be possible but it is recommended that you speak to the employer regarding this.

Yes, AOTI has secured insurance cover for members doing POA and RTP placements through our insurance partner Arachas. To avail of his insurance, you will need to join AOTI as a Non-Practicing type member which you can do here: www.aoti.ie/membership. After joining AOTI, you will then need to provide proof of the following to Arachas when applying for insurance cover:

• AOTI Membership
• Proof from CORU regarding their request that you carry out POA
• Proof from the Occupational Therapy Manager/service regarding providing placement.

For more information, please email Arachas directly at: [email protected] or call them on (+353) 01 213 5000.

Yes this is possible. Please refer to the information on Return to Practice on the CORU website here: Return to Practice - Coru

AOTI Supervision Guidelines (2010) are available to AOTI members in the publications section here: www.aoti.ie/publications.

These are currently being updated by AOTI

Please see link to the Therapy Project Office Occupational Therapy Competencies (2008) https://www.lenus.ie/bitstream/handle/10147/65275/POOT.pdf?sequence=1

You can make a complaint about a registered practitioner (a registrant) by filling out CORU's Fitness to Practise complaint form. If you wish to complain about more than one of CORU's registrants please use a separate complaint form for each registrant.

To practice as an Occupational Therapist in the Republic of Ireland you will need have your qualifications recognised by CORU and you will need to register with them. Here is the link to the appropriate section of the CORU website - https://www.coru.ie/health-and-social-care-professionals/registration/international-applicants/

If you are non EU citizen - I would advise you to read the 'Working as an Occupational Therapist in Another Country' document on the WFOT website, www.wfot.org with regard to the legal requirements for you to be resident and work in Ireland (you go into the Resource section of the website, then 'General' then scroll down to the 'Working as an OT in another country').

Also check the Citizens Information - https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving-country/visas-for-ireland/visa-requirements-for-entering-ireland/

Please refer to Critical Skills Work Permit https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/permit-types/critical-skills-employment-permit/

You can register your interest on HSE Career Hub to receive suitable weekly job notifications by email for OTA / Healthcare Assistant roles while going through the CORU process. After registration, you can change your preferences based on your interest and career progression as and when you see fit. https://careerhub.hse.ie/. Also attached list of Section 38 and 39 health providers in the Republic of Ireland who employ OTAs and Healthcare Assistants.

You are welcome to join the AOTI as an overseas type member / non practicing type member once your qualification is recognised by the WFOT www.aoti.ie/membership or an OTA once you are in employment for same.

You can find all editions of the IJOT published from 2017 onwards on the Emerald Publishing website

Past Editions of IJOT (pre 2017)

• Members: Pre 2017 journal publications are available free to download below
• Non-members: Pre 2017 journal publications can be purchased for €30 per edition. See cover images below for content details. Please contact [email protected] to submit your request.

The Irish Journal of Occupational Therapy is published bi annually and articles undergo a double blind peer review process. Since 2017, the journal has been published open access online by Emerald Publishing Services Ltd. The following information on the Irish Journal of Occupational Therapy can be found http://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/services/publishing/ijot/index.htm

• The IJOT Editorial Board
• How to get published in the IJOT
• Electronic editions of IJOT since 2017

The Irish Journal of Occupational Therapy welcomes submissions for publication from Ireland and internationally. Guidelines on how to submit an article for publication can be found http://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/services/publishing/ijot/authors.htm