ISU Student explains proper studying posture

Nicolas Zohner, MOTS returned to the Holy Spirit Catholic School in November to teach proper studying posture to the sixth grade class. He was joined by Idaho State University's occupational therapy clinical instructor Loriann Helgeson, OTR/L. 

They demonstrated how to adjust the sitting environment at a computer, including keeping their back, neck, wrists, arms, and hips in the correct position in order to prevent discomfort and/or future problems.  They also stressed the importance of taking frequent breaks and stretching their backs, shoulders, and wrists.  The children learned how to use low budget items such as a pillow, to sit on to raise themselves up to a proper height for their arms and neck to be more neutral.  The children were also taught to use a book to put their feet on to raise their hips, knees, and ankles to the proper (90 degree) position.  If they have back discomfort it was demonstrated to roll up a towel to place behind the back for a lumbar support. 

IOTA encourages Backpack Safety

IOTA encourages parents and teachers to keep our students healthy by packing it light and wearing it right.  Please read more:

Intro to Backpack Awareness

Backpack Strategies by AOTA

 

License renewal procedure for OTs and OTAs

License renewal will take place as usual on or before June 30, 2010.  All licensed practitioners will receive a renewal notice from the Occupational Therapy Licensure Board approximately six weeks before their license renewal is due.  Inside the notice will be instructions for renewing this year and in subsequent years on or before the practitioner's birthday.

Rules governing Occupational Therapy in Idaho

The Occupational Therapy Licensure Board of Idaho has published the temporary and proposed rules that interpret and enforce the Idaho Occupational Therapy Practice Act.  They went into effect on August 24, 2009.   Please review them at this link: https://secure.ibol.idaho.gov/IBOL/OCT/Laws_Rules/OCT_PROPOSED_RULES_2010.pdf

New Licensure Application Form is now available online

The Occupational Therapy Licensure Board (OTLB) has published the new licensure application package.  It may be downloaded or completed online or when you visit the OTLB page, the application form can be found under "forms."

Nicolas Zohner, MOTS, ISU student teaches backpack safety

Children attending Holy Spirit Catholic school in Pocatello were given a presentation of the proper wear of backpacks by the ISU Occupational Therapy (OT) program.  Loriann Helgeson OTR/L is a clinical instructor at the university and has been taking students from the OT program for several years to present the backpack awareness program.  An ISU Occupational Therapy student, demonstrated how to properly wear a backpack. He emphasized to use “All the straps available.” Students at the school could volunteer to weigh themselves and their backpacks to calculate the percentage of their body weight which they were carrying.  This should not exceed 15%.  Children were instructed to load the heaviest items in first so they are closest to their backs.  Improper backpack wearing can lead to posture problems and eventually back injuries.  The students ranged from preschool to 6^th grade. 

To find out how much your backpack weighs in relation to your body size you can follow this simple formula.  Take the weight of your backpack and divide it into your body weight and multiply that number by 100 to get the percentage:  (Backpack/you) X 100=____%.  

Revised OT Practice Act is now in effect

The revised Idaho Occupational Therapy Act is now in effect as of July 1, 2009.  You can access the statute here: http://bit.ly/FZSNr

The Occupational Therapy Licensure Board of Idaho has published the list of board members on their website.  Those appointed by Governor Otter are:

• Diann Davis Martin, COTA/L, Boise
• Caren DeAngelis, MS, OTR/L, CHT, Boise
• Michael Spero, OTR/L, Boise
• Ione Springer, Caldwell
• Corwin Sutherin, MS, OTR/L, Shelley

Virtual Hill Day

AOTA shared on Twitter that Virtual Hill Day was a success.  They have new co-sponsors of the home health bill and several thousand contacts were made from the Legislative Action Center.  Thanks for sending your messages on behalf of occupational therapy in Idaho!

Brown Mackie College  seeks Advisory Board members

Brown Mackie College – Boise has just been granted developing status by ACOTE to proceed with the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program. The program is in its first year with students currently enrolled and students scheduled to begin their OTA concentration courses this fall.

Brown Mackie is currently seeking OTA Program  Advisory Board members to provide feedback on curriculum and program overview. According to Lisa Johnson, MS, OTR/L, Program Director, the program is held to ACOTE standards and guidelines; however it is also important that they involve the OT community for a balanced education. "It is important that our students benefit from the ideas, experience and input from the local OT community,' she explained.

If you are interested in serving as an Advisory Board member, please contact Lisa Johnson at 208-321-8800 or e-mail at: ljjohnson@brownmackie.edu.

OT Conceptual Models and Application in Practice

Will be presented by Abby Fry, OTR/L on Thursday, August 20, 7:00 to 8:30 pm, St. Luke's- Meridian Medical Center in the Paiute/Blackfoot Room. Designed for community OTs, peds and adults, IOTA will issue CE credit and contact hours. 

Please click here to RSVP.

Your RSVP will let Abby know how many handouts to bring.  Thank you!

Garage Sale will benefit IOTA

Karla Brown, OTR/L is hosting a fundraising garage sale on August 29. All proceeds will benefit IOTA education and legislative awareness efforts.  Please download the flyer for full information on the IOTA Garage Sale. 

Send an email to Karla to find out more or to let her know that you'll be bringing some items to sell.  Thanks!

OT Treatment Summit a success

Thanks to our presenters at our First Annual IOTA Treatment Summit:  Deborah Jackson, MOTR/L, Patty Chambers, OTR/L, Lesley Ruby, OTR/L, CHT, Doris Teter, OTR/L, Diane Mecham, COTA/L. Aaron Eakman, PHD, OTR/L, Bryan Gee, OTD, OTR/L and Corwin Sutherin, MTD, OTR/L. 

License Renewal

Alert for all OTs and COTAs - Please be sure to renew your licenses through the Board of Medicine by June 30, 2009.

The revised Practice Act is effective on July 1 - the day after your licenses are due. The Board of Medicine and the Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses will coordinate the transition, but you are expected to keep your licenses current by paying  on or  before the renewal date. IOTA will post a follow up on the transition procedures as they become available. Please share this information with your colleagues. Thank you.

Occupational Therapy Assistant Program begins January

Brown Mackie College celebrated the grand opening of the Boise, Idaho Campus on January 12, 2009.  We are pleased to announce that they have chosen an Occupational Therapy Assistant Program as one of their inaugural classes.  Brown Mackie College offers Associates and Bachelor degrees as well as certificate and vocational programs. This Associate Degree program has been recognized as an OTA program in applicant status by AOTA. 

Cherie Strand recognized for going Over the Top

The first IOTA Over the Top award was presented to Cherie Strand, OTR/L, CHT.  According to Jill Satren, OTR/L, CHT Cherie Strand has consistently demonstrated professionalism, leadership, integrity and excellence in patient care.  She has served on the IOTA Executive Board and as an AOTA RA delegate.  But her unending commitment to have OT recognized by Medicaid was proof that she has gone "over the top" in generating awareness for OT in Idaho.  Congratulations Cherie!  And thank you!

 

IOTA officers installed

Founding members and past presidents Myrna Harrington and Joyce Lindstrom installed the 2008-2009 officers during the 2008 Annual Meeting.  Great fun was had by all as they blended the history and future of IOTA together. 

 

Past president - Joyce Lindstrom, OT/L

Past president - Myrna Harrington, OTR/L

President - Farrell Lindley, MOT, MOTR/L

Vice president - Aine Keith-Brain, OTR/L

Treasurer - Sarah Oftedal, OTR/L

Student Representative - Nicolas Zohner, OTS

Executive Director- Linda Jackson

 

Members approve increase

IOTA members approved increasing their membership investment during the Annual Meeting on October 18.  Beginning January 1, 2009 OTs will contribute $85.00 and OTAs will contribute $65.00 to the operation and programs for IOTA.  Thank you for making the investment needed to ensure IOTA can work on your behalf. 

Read the 2008 Annual Report.

ISU recognizes outstanding students

Mandy Lee was chosen as the Outstanding OT Student from IOTA at the ISU OT program graduation banquet on May 9. 

Other notable student awards were:

• KC Austin - Arthur "AJ" P Lloyd Outstanding Student Award

• Erika Miyasako - Arthur "AJ" P. Lloyd Endowment Scholarship

• Mandy Lee & KC Austin - Occupational Therapy Outstanding Research Award

Graduate Teaching Assistantship Available

Idaho State University is accepting applications for an occupational therapist interested in pursuing an advanced degree at the doctoral or master levels.  The assistantship http://www.id-ota.com/ISUOCCUPATIONALcommercial.wmv award includes a $12,280 stipend, tuition and fee waiver, and health insurance for renewable nine month contracts.  For full details, please contact ISU OT Program Director Aaron Eakman, PhD, OTR/L at 208.282.3758.

Therapy Services Rule

Dockets no. 16-0309-0706 and 16-0310-0704     The Therapy Services Rule went into effect on June 1, 2008.  Independent providers of occupational therapy can bill and be paid by Medicaid for services. 

Click here to learn how to become a Medicaid Provider in Idaho.

Payer Information to be provided at Idaho Healthcare Conference

Idaho Health and Welfare is coordinating a comprehensive health care conference for six different areas in Idaho.  The Idaho Health Care Conference 2008 is free to health care providers and provides billing tips and general education on the Medicaid, Medicare and private payer processes. 

A special session will be devoted to the new Medicaid Rules that allow independent providers of occupational therapy to bill Medicaid directly.  According to Jill Satren, IOTA Reimbursement Chair, "This is  a great way to learn about the new rules - there are multiple sites and pros to answer questions."  IOTA encourages you to participate in a conference near you.

Click here for the registration packet.

Idaho Legislature 

Health and Welfare committees pass Therapy Services Rule on January 14, 2008. 

Best wishes for health and happiness from the Idaho Occupational Therapy Association.  Download this calendar for a great start on a new you!

Dana Howell receives award

Dana Howell, PhD, OTD, OTR/L (left) and co-author Kimberly K. Cleary, PT, PhD (right) were recipients of the 2007 J. Warren Perry Distinguished Author Award for their article, Using the SF-36 to Determine Perceived Health Related Quality of Life in Rural Idaho Seniors. The award, given annually by the Journal of Allied Health, was presented by the journal editor, Kevin Lyons, PhD, during an awards ceremony at the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions annual conference in San Diego, CA.   Ms. Howell is the former Director of the Occupational Therapy program at Idaho State University and a past president of IOTA.  She is currently associate professor of occupational therapy at Eastern Kentucky University.

Yoga can enhance your occupational therapy practice

IOTA member Jeanette Runnings, OTR/L is featured in the October 15 issue of Advance Magazine in an article about Yoga and OT: A Perfect Match.  Jeanette is in private practice in Boise, Idaho and the founder of Yoga Yingo.  She is also the Chair of the IOTA Pediatric Special Interest Section.  Read the article here. 

Rule allowing OTs to bill Medicaid directly published October 3

The Therapy Services Rule that will allow Occupational Therapists to bill Medicaid directly has been published by the Medicaid Division of Idaho Health and Welfare. Dockets no. 16-0309-0706 and 16-0310-0704 also provide for consistent language for occupational, physical and speech therapy and establish the number of visits without prior authorization at 25 calendar sessions for occupational and physical therapy.  The dockets will be available for public comment until October 24. 

SOTA holds backpack weigh-in

The Student Occupational Therapy Association at Idaho State University  held a backpack awareness activity at Holy Spirit Catholic School and Cre-act Elementary School in Pocatello, Idaho. 

Shown here is KC Austin, MOTS.  Press release. 

Executive Board meeting held October 11

The IOTA Executive Board (EB) met at Idaho Elks Rehab Hospital on Thursday, October 11. Aaron Eakman, PhD, OTR/L, the new program director for Occupational Therapy at Idaho State University spoke with the group.  The EB finalized the 5-year Strategic Plan and shared admininistrative year-end reports.