Impact Award

Award Definition

Recognizes OTR and COTA practitioners who have made exceptional, client-centered contributions, demonstrating dedication, hard work, and outstanding occupational therapy skills to improve their clients’ life satisfaction and engagement in meaningful occupations.

Eligibility Requirements

• Current NBCOT certification in good standing is required for the award nominee.
• Practitioner's impact must be directly related to a recipient of OT services.
• Strong connection to the NBCOT mission must be demonstrated.

How to Apply

• Access the award application platform and create an account. You can also log in using your Google username and password.
• Complete the award application and attach the following documents:
  • Two written impact statements (i.e., testimonial from a client/family member/colleague); one impact statement must be a first-person account from the client or the client's caregiver.
  • Nominee's résumé (only if self-nominating)
• Submit the application.
• Self-nomination or nomination by others is accepted.

Additional Information for Application Questions

• Detailed description of how the nominee has made a positive impact through everyday OT practice to improve clients' life satisfaction and engagement in meaningful occupations.
  • This question is separate from the impact statement attachments; make sure the response is distinct and not copy/pasted from the impact statements.
  • The OTR’s or COTA’s impact can be related to one client or many but should be significant and meaningful.
  • Emphasize the OTR’s or COTA’s work in addition to their personality and positive attributes.
• Describe how the nominee demonstrates exceptional OT skills.
  • Highlight information about the OTR or COTA that goes beyond standard employee behavior.
  • Some examples of their dedication, hard work, and outstanding OT skills might be the OTR’s or COTA’s commitment to learning and continuing education, involvement with OT-related volunteerism or community endeavors, etc.
• Describe how the nominee supports the mission of NBCOT.
  • Make a strong connection between the OTR’s or COTA’s work and NBCOT’s mission.

About Impact Statements

Impact statements should directly relate to the award definition. Each statement should provide specific and compelling examples about the client’s life satisfaction and engagement in occupation as a result of the OTR’s or COTA’s work. Statements can be from a client, a client’s family member or caregiver, or a colleague.

Be sure to check out our tips and frequently asked questions for additional details about submitting an award application.

*Please note that these are general recommendations and in no way guarantee an application resulting in an award.