Virtual Occupational Therapy Services

What is a virtual service?

Virtual services refer to using information and communication technologies to provide occupational therapy services when clients and occupational therapists (OTs) are not together in-person.  Virtual services (also known as telepractice, remote service, online or virtual care) can include phone calls, video conferencing, or other technology-assisted formats. 

Occupational therapists providing virtual services are encouraged to review and follow ACOTRO's Virtual Services guidance document. 

Jurisdiction

Occupational therapists registered in Nova Scotia providing remote (virtual) services:

  • To clients located in British Columbia: occupational therapists must be registered in British Columbia to provide remote (virtual) services.
  • To clients located in Quebec or Saskatchewan: occupational therapists must contact the regulators in these provinces to obtain special authorization to provide remote (virtual) services.
  • To clients located in all other provinces and territories: occupational therapists can provide remote (virtual) services under their Nova Scotia registration.
  • To clients outside Canada: occupational therapists should contact the regulatory authority in that region and determine if registration is required to provide remote (virtual) occupational therapy services.

When an OT does not need to be registered in a secondary jurisdiction 

When services are delivered remotely to a client who resides in a different province than where an occupational therapist is registered, the occupational therapist does not need to be registered in that province in the following situations:  

  • The occupational therapist is providing education, in the form of an online workshop/ webinar, etc. to an audience in another province(s). The presenting therapist(s) must introduce themselves as an occupational therapist currently registered/licensed to practice in their own jurisdiction. 

  • The client is located in a province other than British Columbia. 

For out-of-province occupational therapists providing virtual services to clients in Nova Scotia 

From British Columbia: Occupational therapists must register to practice in Nova Scotia to provide virtual occupational therapy services to clients in Nova Scotia. This is a change effective December 12, 2023. 

It is the OT’s responsibility to advise any current clients in Nova Scotia about this change. Contact COTNS immediately to apply for registration to continue providing remote services in Nova Scotia. 

 [Application for Registration with COTNS – click here] 

For all other OTs registered to practice in Canada:  It is expected that occupational therapists providing virtual services to clients in Nova Scotia follow the rules and regulations of the province where they are regulated. 

 

Considerations when providing remote (virtual) services to clients in Nova Scotia

 The occupational therapist must: 

  • Disclose the province where they are registered/licensed, to their clients. 

  • Notify the client of the location from which they are providing the service. 

  • Only practice within the limits of their registration/license and competencies in the province where they are registered. 

  • Follow the regulatory Code of Ethics and applicable professional standards and/or guidelines in the jurisdiction where they are registered/licensed. 

  • Document the occupational therapy assessment and/or treatment as per provincial standards and guidelines. 

  • Ensure their liability insurance provides coverage for virtual activities. 

  • Ensure they have adequate information about resources in the location where the client resides. 

  • Have a contingency plan should virtual services be no longer appropriate. 

  • Determine if remote practice is the appropriate format for delivering the occupational therapy service. 

  • Ensure that the technology at both ends (client’s location and therapist’s location) is in good working order and utilizes safeguards for confidentiality. 

  • Carry out informed consent for the use of remote practice, including risks and limitations of remote practice; and the collection, use and disclosure of personal health information. 

  • Take necessary measures to maintain the client’s privacy and confidentiality of their personal health information. 

  • Develop a process to deal with any adverse or unexpected events during a remote practice session. For example: fall, medical emergency, etc. 

  • Establish and maintain professional boundaries during remote practice sessions. 

  • Discuss any additional risks and benefits of receiving virtual services. 

 The rules for in-person services are unchanged.   All occupational therapists must be registered in Nova Scotia to provide in-person occupational therapy services to a client residing in Nova Scotia. 

 

What if a client has concerns about the occupational therapy services they received?  

Occupational therapists must abide by the regulatory Code of Ethics and applicable professional standards and guidance in the province where they are regulated. 

If a client has concerns about the services they received, they can file a complaint with any regulatory organization where the occupational therapist is regulated. 

   

List of Provincial Occupational Therapy Regulators 

 Please contact Kevin Wong, Registrar/Executive Director, with any questions regarding the provision of virtual services.