Practice Advice on COVID-19 Safety |
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Promoting public safety and well-being is central to the College’s mandate.
Please be aware of and observe public health measures, including recent province-wide limits around gatherings. As well, registrants are encouraged to follow applicable recommendations regarding physical distancing, PPE, hand hygiene and vaccination to ensure that the full spectrum of healthcare services is and will continue to be available to all Ontarians. For more information and the latest updates, please visit Ontario's COVID-19 health measures site.
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Rapid Antigen Screening for Registered Kinesiologists |
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Registered Kinesiologists in Ontario may work in settings that have introduced rapid antigen screening for COVID-19. This might involve kinesiologists screening themselves or screening incoming clients or patients.
The following sites offer guidance on sourcing and administering these tests:
Registrants should keep in mind that rapid test kits do not replace gold-standard laboratory testing and that established public health measures, such as vaccination, physical distancing, hygiene, and appropriate use of PPE remain critically important. Before using rapid testing, your organization or workplace should consult and ensure compliance with all appropriate guidelines and develop an appropriate policy.
It's important to remember that communicating a diagnosis (including COVID-19) is a Controlled Act under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991. Kinesiologists are NOT authorized to perform this controlled act. It is an act of professional misconduct to do so without authorization.
If a patient shows you a positive screening test you should:
- Notify the individual that the test is screening rather than diagnostic
- Direct them to the appropriate health care facility/resource for diagnostic testing as soon as possible.
- Advise them to comply with local and provincial public health guidelines and protocols, as well as any doctor’s orders they may be given.
- Follow your organization’s protocols (which may include denying them access to the facility).
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CASE OF THE MONTH – Preceptor for an out-of-province student
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Scenario: A registered kinesiologist has been approached to act as preceptor for an athletic therapy student. The student is studying outside the province but wishes to complete an academic placement in Ontario. The kinesiologist has reached out to the College for guidance on this matter.
In this specific case, the suitability of the placement would depend on the answers to these questions:
- Would the student’s academic program accept this preceptorship?
- Would this preceptorship allow the student to achieve their learning goals?
- Does the kinesiologist have the knowledge, skills and judgement to provide the instruction and supervision that the student is seeking or required to obtain?
- Does the kinesiologist agree to accept accountability for the care provided by the student under their supervision? (As outlined in the College’s Practice Standard: Supervision of Students and Support Personnel.)
College registrants are encouraged to reach out to practiceadvice@coko.ca with questions about this scenario, or any other questions regarding your practice. Suggestions or requests for a future case of the month are welcomed and appreciated.
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College to Close All Applications Incomplete for Three Years or Longer |
The College will be closing any incomplete applications for the entry-to-practice exam that have been open for three years or longer.
Impacted applicants will receive an email on December 22, asking if they would like to continue with the application process. If the College does not receive a response by January 12, 2022, these applications will be closed. Once the application is closed, individuals wishing to apply for the entry-to-practice exam again must submit a new application to the College.
This notice does not apply to applicants who have received confirmation from the College that they can register for the entry-to-practice exam.
Contact info@coko.ca for more information or if you have any questions.
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Notice of Impending Revocation for Suspended Certificates of Registration |
The College recently sent an email notice to all College registrants whose certificate of registration has been under administrative suspension for three years or longer. These registrants must submit an application for reinstatement by the deadline of February 1, 2022 to avoid their certificate from being administratively revoked.
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Updates to the Jurisprudence Handbook |
College Council approved updates to the Jurisprudence Handbook for practising kinesiology in Ontario at its December meeting. Updates to the handbook are in keeping with changes in legislation and the College’s Practice Standards and Guidelines.
The updated Handbook will be posted to the College website in early 2022 following integration of the changes to the online Jurisprudence E-Learning Module for applicants.
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New Regulation Allows Ontario Kinesiologists to Treat Spouses |
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Registered kinesiologists in Ontario are now permitted to treat their spouses, according to new regulation.
While treating a spouse, registered kinesiologists must follow all the legislation, standards of practice, policies and guidelines that they would for any other patient, while complying with appropriate boundaries and separation between the professional relationship and personal relationship.
In 2012, the Regulated Health Professions Act was amended to give a professional College the ability to adopt a Spousal Exception to sexual abuse provisions in the RHPA. Prior to this revision, treatment of one’s spouse or partner automatically triggered the sexual abuse provisions under the RHPA, which included a mandatory revocation of the professional’s Certificate of Registration, in addition to other penalties and disciplinary measures.
The Spousal Exception came into force for the Kinesiology Act, 2007, on October 22, 2021.
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Updates on Council and Committee Governance Modernization |
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The College has several updates about governance to share.
In November, the Executive Committee considered and approved terms of reference for a new standing Governance and Nominations Committee. This Committee will assist in competency-based assessments, education, and overseeing administration of the evaluation of Council and committee members. View the terms of reference here.
At the December 6, 2021, Council meeting, Council approved proposed changes to By-law 13, with respect to the eligibility requirements and selection process for registrants seeking appointments to Committees. Council considered feedback gathered during the external consultation process and approved final amendments. View the approved amendments here.
Council also considered proposed changes to By-law 16 regarding conflict of interest. Once further amendments are approved, the final By-Law amendments will be shared with registrants and stakeholders.
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College’s Annual Report Now Available |
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Inside the report you’ll find highlights from the past year including a review of key achievements, registrant data, committee reports and financial statements.
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Inform us of changes to your personal information |
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This is a reminder that you are required to notify the College of any changes to your employment information, address or contact information within 30 days of the change.
This includes changes to your primary email address on file. Email is the primary means whereby the College communicates with registrants.
The College developed a form to help you report and submit these changes. Check it out on our website and email the College at info@coko.ca if you have any questions.
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Reminder: Our offices will be closed for the holiday season from Friday, December 24 at noon until Friday, December 31. We will return to regular business hours on Monday January 3, 2022.
We wish everyone a happy and safe holiday!
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Please do not unsubscribe if you are registered with the College. If you do unsubscribe, you will be contacted by staff to re-subscribe as the College primarily communicates to registrants via email. We strive to keep communications relevant and to a minimum. Information regarding registration matters (annual renewal deadline, quality assurance requirements, etc.), and important news and updates are sent via email. The College works on the assumption that all registrants receive all of our emails.
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