In accordance with standard A.2.6 which states that “The program must document policies and procedures to ensure that the program director and faculty are aware of and abide by the current code of ethics of the profession of occupational therapy”, the following policy is established. (ACOTE, 2006).

Ethics Policy

The Occupational Therapy faculty are aware of and abide by the current code of ethics of the profession of occupational therapy as stated in the document available at:   http://www.aota.org/Practitioners/Ethics.aspx .  Each year the faculty review the code of ethics and sign a document indicating their awareness of the Code. The faculty believe that collaboration and remediation involve communication. Therefore, they encourage individuals with ethical concerns to follow the procedures outlined in the OT student handbook for Appeals and Grievances, which indicates that students should first seek resolution through the course instructor, program director and department chair before seeking resolution outside the program. In the event that the complaint involves the department chair then the Dean of the School of Health Sciences receives the complaint.

Procedures

1.     The complaint form must identify the specific Code of Ethics principle and item(s) under that principle that is/are in question, include evidence to support the complaint(s), and be signed by the person(s) making the complaint.

2.     Written complaints must be submitted to the Department Chair of the Occupational Therapy Program. If the complaint involves the chairperson, the written complaint must be submitted to the Dean of the School of Health Sciences.

3.     The Department Chair or Dean will review each complaint. The Department Chair/Dean will investigate the complaint, make a determination on the validity of the complaint, determine the appropriate course of action, (including, but not limited to a written report of the violation to appropriate state and national regulatory bodies) and provide a written report to the Dean.

4.     The Department Chair/Dean will provide a written response to the stakeholder(s) making the complaint.

5.     Complaints that result in corrective action will be shared by the Department Chair/Dean with the respective faculty member.

6.     The Department Chair/Dean will maintain a complete file of all complaints received and their disposition. Each accrediting body is to have access to this information as part of its routine accreditation review process.

Below is the form available as a .pdf here

Occupational Therapy Program

School of Health Sciences

The Sage Colleges

Code of Ethics Violation Complaint Form

Last Name: ___________________ First Name: _________________________

E-mail: ______________________ Phone: _____________________________

Mailing Address: __________________________________________________

       _______________________________________________________________

1)      Identify the specific Code of Ethics principle and item(s) under that principle that is/are not being adhered to:

2)      Provide evidence to support your complaint(s):

Signature(s): ______________________________ Date: _________________

Theresa Hand, MS, OTR, CHT Assistant Professor  
Occupational Therapy Department Chair and Program Director  
The Sage Colleges 
65 First Street Troy, NY 12180 

518 244 2069 

Esther Haskvitz, PT, PhD, ATC Interim Dean, 
School of Health Sciences Professor, Physical Therapy 
The Sage Colleges 
65 1st Street Troy, NY 12180 

518-244-2296

References and Resources

ACOTE (2006).  Accreditation standards for a master’s-degree-level educational program for the occupational therapist. Retrieved February 20, 2011 from http://aota.org/Educate/Accredit/StandardsReview.aspx

Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. (AOTA)
4720 Montgomery Lane
Bethesda, MD 20824-1220
Phone: 301-652-2682
Fax: 301-652-7711