February 2021
2019/2020 Annual Report released
The College is pleased to present its 2019/2020 Annual Report. As part of its regulatory role, the College must produce and submit an annual report to the Minister of Health each year. The report highlights the College's achievements, provides statistics and information on registered kinesiologists, and includes audited financial statements.
Reminder: Self-assessments due March 1
Woman on couch on laptop
The 2020 self-assessment period began on December 1, 2020 and all registrants in the General Class must submit a self-assessment by March 1, 2021.

This year’s assessment has been refined to focus on risk areas in kinesiology practice and some portions have been streamlined, making completion easier and faster. We’ve also added instructions for registrants who are not working and must complete the self-assessment.
COVID-19 reminders
Between February 10 and February 22, 2021, several public health units across the province are moving back into Ontario's colour-coded COVID-19 response framework.

Kinesiologists are still permitted to practise and the College would like to remind all R.Kins of the College's COVID-19 guidance and the following tips:

  • Screen patients/clients at the time of booking and on the day of the appointment. Consider virtual care as an option, particularly if a patient/client screens positive for exposure to the virus or is at risk of complications should they contract COVID-19.
  • Always wear a mask and other appropriate PPE, such as eye protection.
  • Wash your hands with soap or use a Health Canada approved sanitizer before and after each patient/client interaction and when putting on and taking off PPE.
  • Clean and disinfect all patient/client contact surfaces after each use.
  • Regularly clean and disinfect all high-touch surfaces in your place of employment, including reception and break room surfaces.

As always, if you have questions about COVID-19 and the impacts on practice, email Danielle Lawrence, the College's Practice Advisor, at danielle.lawrence@coko.ca.
Upcoming webinar: Practising during COVID-19
The College would like to hold a webinar on practising during COVID-19, and we'd like to hear from you! Here's what we'd like to know:

  • What are your questions about practising during the pandemic? Ask them here and we'll use this to develop a presentation.
  • If a webinar was held during the week, when would you most likely attend? Complete our poll.

The College will follow up with a formal invite within the next few weeks.
COVID-19 vaccine information
The College continues to monitor developments on Ontario's roll out of COVID-19 vaccines. Please note that the College has no control over when kinesiologists will receive vaccines or input into the vaccine roll out in general. Getting the vaccine will depend on several factors, including practice location and individual risk factors.

We will keep you updated as we learn more. For the latest information, visit the COVID-19 vaccine for Ontario web page.
How should you bill for your services?
Lauren is an R.Kin who works at a multidisciplinary rehabilitation clinic. After a session with a new client, Lauren is approached by her supervisor to discuss her client’s insurance coverage and billing. Lauren’s supervisor explains that her new client’s insurance plan does not cover kinesiology. Lauren’s supervisor advises that Lauren should bill under physiotherapy as a workaround. What should Lauren do? 
Peer and practice assessments go virtual
In spring 2021, the College will resume peer and practice assessments (PPAs). In 2020, PPAs were paused because of the COVID-19 pandemic and changing restrictions.

PPA is a legislated quality assurance program requirement and a key function of the College’s regulatory mandate. It’s an educational, structured interview conducted by a trained peer assessor that assesses kinesiologists’ knowledge, skill and judgement. It also helps kinesiologists identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement within their practice.

Each year, kinesiologists are randomly selected to participate in PPA to help ensure their continued competence. All kinesiologists will participate in PPA at least once in their time being registered with the College.

Given that the pandemic is on-going and restrictions are continuously evolving, PPAs will be conducted virtually in 2021. If you are randomly selected this year, you will receive notice from the College by the end of April. You will then have 90 days to schedule your PPA.

More information on these changes will be communicated in the coming weeks, so continue monitoring @CKO and our website for the latest information.
Is your professional liability insurance up-to-date?
Many registrants’ professional liability insurance (PLI) coverage expires on December 31. If you are registered in the General Class, you must always have current PLI coverage, regardless of whether you are currently employed or practising within the scope of practice of kinesiology.

You must submit an updated copy of your PLI coverage to the College if it has expired or if there have been changes to the policy, or if you have changed providers. If applicable, please submit your updated PLI coverage to info@coko.ca with the subject line "Updated PLI".
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.