Advanced Certification

Advanced Practice Certification

post professional specialized knowledge, reasoning and skill development often associated with credential designation

not required to maintain NBCOT certification or state licensure, but is a way to meet continuing education requirements associated with these right to practice initiatives: some of these have their own continuing education requirements

offered by OT professional organizations and other training entities

Benefit

further develop practice knowledge, reasoning and skills

improve quality of care bring to patients, clients, person’s that you care for

opportunity to meet continuing education requirements in meaningful way

chance to be all that with regards particular area of practice

bring speciality skills to practice settings

Limitations

cost

practitioners need to be selective as not all certifications or training entities are equally valued within practice community

obtaining advanced practice certifications, not usually tied to promotional opportunities or salary increases

not typically enquired by practice settings and only benefit setting during your tenure with company or agency

AOTA Fellowship Program

designed to advance overall expertise in a focused area of practice

offer opportunities for inactive learning, mentored practice and scholarship for NBCOT and state licensed OT

between 9-12 months long

each fellowship differs in some aspect but learning objectives/curriculum design must meet AOTA guideline and standards

VAMC Interprofessional Fellowship

stipend funded, year long fellowship that includes discipline specific seminars and seminars in PSR and recovery

fellows come from a range of disciplines: nursing, social work, psychiatry, psychology, vocational rehab, OT, chaplaincy/clinical pastoral education

previous experience in working with veterans with serious mental illness

Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioners (CPRP)

offered by psychiatric rehabilitation association (PRA)

exam, offered multiple times per year

provides explicit guidance on what exam covers on website

with OT degree + level 2 fieldwork in CMH setting with CPRP supervisor + 45 contact hours could sit for exam

conferred for 3 years must be renewed each 3 year cycle within evidence of 45 contact hours focused on psychiatric rehab devices

current cost: $200 approximately