DCOTA News

Occupational Therapists: (contract/casual on-call)

General Description:  Occupational Therapists needed for a research study about different techniques to help informal caregivers deal with agitation and aggression in persons with dementia.  This is a 3-year NIA-funded intervention/attention control study.  Occupational Therapists will serve as the interventionists.  The OT’s will meet with the person with dementia and their family caregiver in the home for up to 8 sessions over the course of 3 months.  OT’s will perform a clinical assessment of (1) the person with dementia’s current abilities, (2) the home environment, and (3) the interaction between the person with dementia and their caregiver.  OT’s will be trained on the intervention.  Attend team meetings. Communicate with study Program Manager and Principal Investigator about all schedule changes and study related issues.

Qualifications:

• ·       OTR with credentials in Maryland, District of Columbia, or Virginia
• ·       Experience working with persons with dementia preferred
• ·       Homecare experience preferred
• ·       Experience using the Allen Batteries preferred
• ·       Ability to follow research protocol.
• ·       Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• ·       Flexible schedule
• ·       Strong organization and problem solving skills required.
• ·       Must be able to work independently

Special Considerations:

Must provide own transportation to sessions.

Salary:  $40/hour

FINAL_Gitlin_NA_00067873_TAP_flyer_102813_Logo.pdf

Therapist can get PDU if certified as another incentive towards CEUs. Also serving as a mentor is a means of getting CEUs.
There is some new information on legislation in DC.
http://www.nbcot.org/pdu-activities-chart

Laura Gitlin, Ph.D. at the Center for Innovative Care in Aging at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing is looking for Occupational Therapists in Montgomery and Prince Georges county to serve as the interventionists in a research study. The purpose of the study is to examine different techniques to help informal caregivers deal with agitation and aggression in persons with dementia. The OT’s will meet with the person with dementia and their family caregiver in the home for up to 8 sessions over the course of 3 months. OT’s will perform a clinical assessment of (1) the person with dementia’s current abilities, (2) the home environment, and (3) the interaction between the person with dementia and their caregiver. The OTs then work with the caregiver to develop meaningful activities for the person with dementia that meet them at their current capabilities.

If you know an O.T. who may be interested, please contact the Program Manager, Katherine Marx, Ph.D., MPH at kmarx1@jhu.edu or 443-287-8633.

Instructions for Biography Submission

Submit by Thurs March 13th, 2014 3:00 p.m.

Submit a one page biography with a detailed description of yourself. It should include basic facts like education, work, community service and highlights of various aspects of your life. We want to get to know you and why you are interested in DCOTA and serving in a prospective board position. Please also include a statement on how you will use this position to carry-out AOTA’s Centennial Vision.

The DCOTA Hot Topics team is busy working on the 2014 Hot Topics Series!  We hope to have at least 4 regular events, a Hot Topics policy update and at least 1 weekend workshop.

Make sure to check out DCOTA on Flickr!  We have a new home for all of our photos!  

Don't forget to register for the National Day of Service by August 31!  Click HERE or visit www.dcota.org/events for more information!

Washington, DC -- DCOTA is proud to partner with the DC Chapter of AARP to host Home Fit screenings for the National Day of Service on September 11, 2013.  Click HERE or visit www.dcota.org/events for more information and to register!  This is an excellent opportunity to give back to the community!  The event is open to members and non-members, but we encourage everyone to join DCOTA to help support advocacy and professional development of occupational therapy professionals in the District!

WASHINGTON, DC -- The District of Columbia city council is considering legislation to license athletic and personal trainers under the Health Licensing Board.  The District of Columbia Occupational Therapy Association is working with the American Occupational Therapy Association to review the legislation and its possible impact on occupational therapy services in Washington, DC.  

WASHINGTON, DC -- The District of Columbia Occupational Therapy Association sent a board member to participate in setting up the minimum standards for health plans and the DC Health Benefit Exchange (hbx.dc.gov).