POTA Awards > General Nomination And Selection Procedures

I. Awards Selection Committee

The selection committee shall be comprised of the Awards Chair and district delegates to POTA (in the absence of a district delegate a district representative may be selected by the Awards Chair). When necessary, delegates will solicit input from district boards.

II. Nominating/Selection Procedures

A. A nominee cannot be a current member of the selection committee.

B. Individuals nominated but not selected may be nominated again at a later date.

C. Individual POTA members or a group of members, such as a district of POTA, are eligible to submit nominations. Members of the selection’s committee may not submit nominations.

D. Nominations shall be submitted to the Awards Chair on or before the specified deadline. Nominations shall be submitted on the appropriate form and include the appropriate supporting documentation.

E. Final selection will be made by majority vote of the selection committee members.

F. Only one recipient shall receive each award annually, with the exception of the Award of Appreciation, which can have multiple recipients annually.

III. Award Presentation

A. The Awards Chair will read the purpose of each award at the POTA Annual Conference Awards Ceremony.

B. The Nominator, POTA President and/or POTA Vice President will present the award plaque to the recipient of each award at the POTA Annual Conference Awards Ceremony.

IV. Evidence of the Award

A. The name of award recipients will be publicized by POTA. The Awards Chair will determine appropriate the sites for publication.

B. Record of award recipients will be kept within POTA (including the name of the award recipient, year received and other relevant information determined by the Awards Chair).

Award for Outstanding Achievement

I. Purpose

A. To recognize a member of POTA for longstanding, significant contribution to the profession of occupational therapy in the areas of clinical practice, research, education, administration, communication, and/or services to POTA.

B. To promote the advancement of occupational therapy as a profession through the efforts of its individual members.

II. Eligibility

A. Must be licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as an occupational therapy practitioner (COTA/L or OTR/L).

B. Current member in good standing of POTA for a minimum of three years preceding nomination.

C. Current member in good standing of AOTA.

III. Criteria for Selection

A. The nominee must have made an outstanding contribution to the profession of occupational therapy in one or more of the following areas: clinical practice, research, education, administration, communication, or service to POTA.

B. This contribution shall be recognized as significant in terms of professional theory and/or practice of occupational therapy, and/or the promotion of POTA.

C. Qualifying evidence relevant to consideration for the award includes:

(** indicates that the criteria is heavily weighted)

1. Ten years or more service/experience in the profession.

2. Written and oral communication activities. **

3. Leadership of and participation in POTA at the state and district levels.

4. Leadership of and participation in AOTA at the state and district levels.

5. Involvement in organizations and activities related to Occupational Therapy and the persons served by the profession. **

6. Recognition for quality of contributions, as evidenced by three letters of recommendation from individuals who have worked with the nominee professionally. **

Award of Recognition

I. Purpose

A. To recognize an occupational therapist whose knowledge and expertise have made a significant contribution to the profession of occupational therapy and/or who has provided outstanding service to POTA.

B. To provide an incentive to contribute to the development and growth of occupational therapy and POTA.

II. Eligibility

A. Must be licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as an occupational therapist (OTR/L).

B. Current member in good standing of POTA for a minimum of three years preceding nomination

C. Current member in good standing of AOTA.

III. Criteria for Selection

A. The nominee must have specialized skills/expertise in clinical practice, research, education, or administration and/or made a significant contribution to POTA.

B. The nominee must have made a significant contribution to the profession of occupational therapy through oral and/or written communication and/or involvement in POTA activities.

C. Qualifying evidence relevant to consideration for the award includes:

(** indicates that the criteria is heavily weighted)

1. Five years or more service/experience in the profession as an occupational therapist.

2. Written and oral communication activities.

3. Leadership of and/or participation in POTA at the state and district levels. **

4. Involvement in organizations and activities related to occupational therapy and the persons served by the profession. **

5. Recognition for quality of contributions made, as evidenced by three letters of recommendation from individuals who have worked with the nominee professionally. **

OTA Award of Recognition

I. Purpose

A. To recognize an occupational therapist assistant whose knowledge and expertise have made a significant contribution to the profession of occupational therapy and/or who has provided outstanding service to POTA.

B. To provide an incentive to contribute to the development and growth of occupational therapy and POTA.

II. Eligibility

A. Must be licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as an occupational therapy assistant (COTA/L).

B. Current member in good standing of POTA for a minimum of three years preceding nomination.

C. Current member in good standing of AOTA.

III. Criteria for Selection

A. The nominee must have specialized skills/expertise in clinical practice, research, education, or administration and/or made a significant contribution to POTA.

B. The nominee must have made a significant contribution to the profession of occupational therapy through oral and/or written communication and/or involvement in POTA activities.

C. Qualifying evidence relevant to consideration for the award includes:

(** indicates that the criteria is heavily weighted)

1. Five years or more service/experience in the profession as an occupational therapist.

2. Written and oral communication activities.

3. Leadership of and/or participation in POTA at the state and district levels. **

4. Involvement in organizations and activities related to occupational therapy and the persons served by the profession. **

5. Recognition for quality of contributions made, as evidenced by three letters of recommendation from individuals who have worked with the nominee professionally. **

Master Clinician Award

I. Purpose

A. To recognize an occupational therapy practitioner (COTA/L or OTR/L) who has consistently provided high quality occupational therapy services and who has shared their knowledge and expertise.

B. To provide an incentive for practitioners to develop and sustain advanced practice skills.

III. Eligibility

A. Must be licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as an occupational therapy practitioner (COTA/L or OTR/L).

B. Current member in good standing of POTA for a minimum of three years preceding nomination.

C. Current member in good standing of AOTA.

III. Criteria for Selection

A. The nominee must provide services using recognized occupational therapy conceptual practice models and practice strategies, which consistently promote client-centered occupational performance.

B. The nominee must have participated in clinical research, publications, and/or presentations that foster interest and skill development in advanced forms of practice.

C. Qualifying evidence relevant to consideration for the award includes:

(** indicates that the criteria is heavily weighted)

1. Seven years or more service/experience in the profession as an occupational therapy practitioner. **

2. Education and/or advanced practice recognition beyond entry level.

3. Written and oral communication activities. **

4. Involvement in organizations and activities related to occupational therapy and the persons served by the profession.

5. Recognition for quality of contributions made, as evidenced by three letters of recommendation from individuals who have worked with the nominee professionally. **

Academic Educator Award

I. Purpose

A. To recognize an occupational therapy educator who has consistently provided high quality education to occupational therapy and/or occupational therapy assistant students.

B. To provide an incentive for occupational therapy educators to develop and maintain exemplary teaching skills.

II. Eligibility

A. Must be licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as an occupational therapy practitioner (COTA/L or OTR/L).

B. Current member in good standing of POTA for a minimum of three years preceding nomination.

C. Current member in good standing of AOTA.

D. Current or past, full-time, part-time, or adjunct faculty in an occupational therapy and/or occupational therapy assistant program.

III. Criteria for Selection

A. The nominee must demonstrate commitment to and creativity in teaching that promotes student learning.

B. Qualifying evidence relevant to consideration for the award includes:

(** indicates that the criteria is heavily weighted)

1. Five years or more experience in occupational therapy and/or occupational therapy assistant education.

2. Involvement in organizations and activities related to occupational therapy education and the persons served by the profession.

3. Recognition for quality of contributions made, as evidenced by three letters of recommendation. At least one letter must be from a peer faculty member and at least one letter must be from a student of the nominee. **

Fieldwork Educator Award

I. Purpose

A. To recognize an occupational therapy fieldwork educator who has consistently provided high quality education to occupational therapy and/or occupational therapy assistant students during their fieldwork experiences.

B. To provide an incentive for occupational therapy fieldwork educators to develop and maintain exemplary teaching skills in clinical practice.

II. Eligibility

A. Must be licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as an occupational therapy practitioner (COTA/L or OTR/L).

B. Current member in good standing of POTA for a minimum of three years preceding nomination.

C. Current member in good standing of AOTA.

III. Criteria for Selection

A. The nominee must demonstrate commitment to fieldwork education.

B. Qualifying evidence relevant to consideration for the award includes:

(** indicates that the criteria is heavily weighted)

1. Five years or more experience as a fieldwork educator.

2. Involvement in organizations and activities related to occupational therapy fieldwork education and the persons served by the profession.

3. Recognition for quality of contributions made, as evidenced by three letters of recommendation. At least one letter must be from a peer and at least one letter must be from a student who has been supervised by the nominee during a fieldwork experience. **

Student Award of Recognition

I. Purpose

A. To recognize an occupational therapy student who has demonstrated leadership and excellence in academic or clinical performance.

B. To recognize an occupational therapy student who has demonstrated exceptional ability to promote occupational therapy through his/her activities.

C. To provide an incentive for occupational therapy students to contribute to the profession beginning at the student level of professional preparation.

II. Eligibility

A. Current student member in good standing of POTA for a minimum of four months preceding nomination.

B. Current student member in good standing of AOTA.

C. Enrolled as a student within an ACOTE approved institution located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The nominee may have completed academic preparation, and be engaged in fieldwork during the current nomination period (May 1st of the previous year to April 30th of the current year).

D. The nominee must intend to pursue employment within the profession of occupational therapy.

III. Criteria for Selection

A. The nominee must have made a significant contribution at the student level in the areas of clinical practice, research, public relations, student occupational therapy association, POTA, and/or other related activities.

B. Qualifying evidence relevant to consideration for the award includes:

(** indicates that the criteria is heavily weighted)

1. Written and oral communication activities. **

2. Leadership of and participation in a student occupational therapy organization. **

3. Participation in POTA at the state and district level. **

4. Participation in AOTA at the state and district level.

5. Involvement in organizations and activities related to occupational therapy and the persons served by the profession. **

6. Recognition for quality of contributions made, as evidenced by three letters of recommendation. At least one letter must be from a faculty member and at least one letter must be from a fellow student of the nominee. **

Award of Appreciation

I. Purpose

A. To recognize an individual or a group of individuals who have provided outstanding contributions to the advancement of occupational therapy.

B. To provide an incentive for an individual or a group of individuals outside of the profession of occupational therapy to contribute to contribute to the development and growth of occupational therapy.

II. Eligibility

A. The nominee may be an individual or group of individuals. The nominee may or may not be a member of POTA. The award may be used to recognize an allied professional or allied professional group and/or organization that has rendered special assistance to POTA.

III. Criteria for Selection

A. The nominee must have made a significant contribution to the advancement of occupational therapy and/or POTA through political support and/or public relations endeavors.

B. Qualifying evidence relevant to consideration for the award includes:

1. Professional activities related to occupational therapy and/or POTA.

2. State and local community activities which support or are consistent with the concerns of occupational therapy and/or POTA.

3. Recognition by POTA members for the quality and significance of contributions made, as evidenced by the nomination's letter of support.

For questions concerning the award process, contact the POTA Vice-President:
Valerie Bey , , VBEYOT@aol.com