Quick Links:
             Download & PRINT Membership form
             Renew your Membership ONLINE 
             COTBC Registration for OTs Practicing in BC
             Professional Liability Insurance for OTs
             Business Membership for Medical Suppliers / Health Care Providers
             Download & PRINT Business Membership form

BCSOT 2009-2010 Membership Rates 

BCSOT Membership year starts on July 1, 2009 and extends to September 30, 2010, making the year 15 months long to accommodate the change in the membership cycle to October 1 - September 30, effective 2010.

BCSOT is pleased to offer a variety of payment options, you may:

- Pay the whole year at once, by cheque, VISA or MasterCard - online, by fax or mail;

- Pay in quarterly installments by mailing 5 post-dated cheques;

- Pay in monthly installments by mailing 15 postdated cheques.

Membership Category	Fees	5 payments (monthly)	15 payments       (monthly)
Member	224.00	44.80	N/A
Affiliate	71.00	N/A	N/A
Associate	65.00	N/A	N/A
Student	36.00	N/A	N/A
New Grad	112.00	N/A	N/A

COMPLIMENTARY membership to BCSOT student members who are graduating in 2009.

*Membership rates include 5% GST

The BCSOT Advantage:

• Advocating for You
• Protecting your interests within the healthcare system, profiling occupational therapy with other health professionals, promoting access to occupational therapy services, working collaboratively with UBC School of Rehabilitation Sciences and the College of Occupational Therapists of BC.
• Promoting the Profession
• The Member Directory, BCSOT presence at public events to profile the profession, annual BCSOT recognition awards, BCSOT’s Shaughnessey Research Grant through the Canadian Occupational Therapy Foundation.
• Professional Development
• BCSOT sponsored workshops, comprehensive education event listings, mentoring and education through BCSOT Special Interest Groups.
• Practical Supports
• The OTLine newsletter, BCSOT Website, competitive professional liability insurance, BCSOT referral services for members.
• Connecting with Colleagues
• The BCSOT Annual General Meeting as well as regional networking, education and Special Interest Groups events.

To Join BCSOT please complete the membership application form and MAIL / FAX to the address below:

BC Society of Occupational Therapists
1755 W. Broadway, Suite 402
Vancouver, BC V6J 4S5
Fax: 604-736-5606

COTBC Registration

To practice in BC, you must be registered with the College of Occupational Therapists of British Columbia (COTBC). This is mandatory for all practicing occupational therapists in BC.

COTBC operates under B.C.'s Health Professions Act and the Occupational Therapists Regulation. COTBC is responsible for ensuring the safe, ethical, and competent practice of occupational therapy in B.C.

For information about COTBC registration, go to www.cotbc.org.

Professional Liability Insurance for OTs

HDF Insurance offers a Professional Liability (malpractice) Insurance Program designed specifically for BCSOT members. This exclusive program includes features unavailable in other plans and with basic rates equal to or lower than competing programs. BCSOT’s plan complies with COTBC’s requirement to carry malpractice insurance.

For seventy dollars per year, BCSOT professional liability protection offers peace of mind.

BCSOT encourages all public sector members to carry personal liability insurance in addition to the limited coverage provided by employers.

Why do all occupational therapists need personal malpractice insurance?

• As a member of a regulated profession, a complaint may be made about you by a member of the public or another professional to the College of Occupational Therapists of British Columbia. Regardless of the validity
of the complaint, legal expenses related to the investigation process and, if necessary, the disciplinary process, are likely incurred. Most malpractice plans will not cover these expenses without additional premium;
however, this is included in BCSOT’s comprehensive plan.

• Malpractice suits are not limited to physical injury. They may relate to an alleged injury, which could include those which are emotional or psychological in nature. Suits may be for treatment or lack of treatment, or
for your manner in dealing with the patient.

• You can also be held personally liable for negligence in providing or failing to provide, professional services.

• A suit by a patient/client, even if groundless, requires you to hire a lawyer and pay investigation and defence costs.

• Employers’ Professional Liability Plans do not cover your personal liability for any professional activities not directly related to your employment, i.e. volunteer work, gratuitous advice etc.

• Plans held by Hospitals, clinics, as well as other employer’s plans, do not cover Legal Expense Reimbursement or Criminal Defence Reimbursement, which are covered in this program.

• This plan complies with The College of Occupational Therapists of BC’s sexual abuse therapy and counseling fund requirement.

 Protection highlights of BCSOT’s plan

• $5,000,000 Liability for each claim, subject to a $5,000,000 individual aggregate including legal expense costs, libel and slander.

• No deductible.

• Protects you from claims or suits alleging your malpractice, even if allegations are false.

• Protects you for amounts which may be awarded against you and expenses incurred in the defence of a lawsuit.

• Protects Assistants and O.T.A.’s while working under your direct supervision.

Occupational therapists must be current BCSOT members to purchase professional liability insurance through HDF Insurance & Financial Group and must renew their BCSOT membership every year to continue to qualify for the HDF malpractice insurance. Allowing BCSOT membership to lapse may nullify insurance coverage.

Business Membership for Medical Suppliers / Health Care Providers

(business/non-profit organization)

 

We are pleased to invite you to enter into a unique partnership with the British Columbia Society of Occupational Therapists.  BCSOT promotes the profession of occupational therapy, represents our members' interests and supports their professional needs.  Organizations that promote effective rehabilitation through the provision of quality goods and services to occupational therapists or to people with disabilities are eligible to join BCSOT as Business Members. 

 

Business Membership offers you:

• Priority access to occupational therapists in BC.
• Opportunity, as a sponsor or exhibitor at BCSOT events throughout the province, to attend those events to meet directly with BCSOT members.
• Discounted rates for advertising in the 2010 Member Directory.
• Annual recognition in our publication, the OTLine, and in the Member Directory.
• Opportunity to publicize your BCSOT Business status in approved promotional materials.
• First opportunity to provide sponsorship for BCSOT’s professional development workshops.
• Discounted advertising rates in the OTLine and in our frequent E-Bulletins.
• One free advertisement in the OTLine each membership year (ad size depends on membership category).
• A link to your website from your listing in the “Business Members” section of our website. 

The BCSOT Annual General Meeting and Trade Show is in October 2009.  We encourage you to consider participating in this event; Business Members are offered the first opportunity to participate in this event as well as reduced display fees.

 

Your Business Membership strengthens your relationship with BCSOT.

 Click on the link to download Business Membership form

 

For more information on Business Membership or Exhibitor/Sponsorship opportunities in the upcoming Annual General Meeting, please contact BCSOT office at 604-736-5645.