The Norwegian Association of Occupational Therapists
(NETF)
The Norwegian Association of Occupational
Therapists - NETF - is an independent and non-denominational
association of Occupational Therapists. NETF is both a professional
organisation and a labour union, which handles professional
and training issues, monitors relevant political developments,
salaries, collective agreements, working conditions and questions
related to professional development and quality. NETF is a
member of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists
– WFOT, and Council of Occupational Therapists for the European
Countries – COTEC. NETF collaborates closely with the
other Nordic associations of occupational therapists.
Members
On 1 January 2005, NETF had 2918
members, of whom 2112 were practising members, 574 were occupational
therapy students. The strength of NETF is based on professional
fellowship and representation of its members. Most of the
Norwegian occupational therapists are members of NETF, which
is the only Norwegian Association for occupational therapists.
Organisation
The National Assembly, which is
NETF's highest decision-making body, meets every third year.
During the National Assembly objectives and strategies for
coming three years are decided as well as budget and election
of Association Board. Between National Assembly meetings,
the Association Board is responsible for managing the running
of NETF. The board consists of the Association president and
7 elected board members and an observer from the students.
NETF has a regional/local substructure consisting
of 19 local branches, each with its own board. Each work units
elect their NETF Union Representatives and Local Wage Negotiators.
The student organisation – ERGON - has its own board and chairperson.
The Association has an Ethics Council, and
all members are obliged to base their professional conduct
on the Association's Code of Ethics. NETF has also an Editorial
Council for the magazine Ergoterapeuten as well as a Certification
Council for Occupational Therapy Specialists.
Professional issues
NETF strives to stimulate occupational
therapists to base their work on client centred approach,
on scientific and proven methods and a large store of clinical
experience. The aim is to promote clients' ability to lead
a meaningful and purposeful life in accordance with their
occupational needs and wishes, and in relation to the demands
of the environment within which they live. NETF helps to facilitate
and uphold occupational therapy's important role within health-
and social care in Norway.
Professional issues and questions are an important
part of NETF's activities. Courses, seminars and conferences
on professional questions of interest and concern to its members
are a part of the Association's activities designed to maintain
and to enhance professional competence. The Association Board
awards grants annually for research and development projects.
The Association publishes the magazine Ergoterapeuten
(The Occupational Therapist) with 8 issues a year, as well
as the Nordic scientific journal, the Scandinavian Journal
of Occupational Therapy – SJOT – (see link below) in collaboration
with the Nordic associations. NETF publishes research reports
and monographs and assists in the development of assessment
and evaluation instruments.
In 1998 NETF established a certification process
for achieving the title "Occupational Therapy Specialist"
(see link below). A Certification Council for Occupational
Therapy Specialists was set up with seven Specialist Committees
for each branch of specialisation. The Certification Council
and Committees for Occupational Therapy Specialists Board
are making decisions about specialist certifications, regulations
and development. NETF members may apply for certification
as specialists within the following areas:
- Occupational Therapy Specialist in somatic
health
- Occupational Therapy Specialist in mental
health
- Occupational Therapy Specialist in children’s
health
- Occupational Therapy Specialist in elders'
health
- Occupational Therapy Specialist in general
health
- Occupational Therapy Specialist in vocational
health
- Occupational Therapy Specialist in public
health
NETF, in collaboration with NORAD, also manages
an aid programme in Palestine where it provides support to
the four-year Occupational Therapy Programme at Bethlehem
University (see link below).
Norwegian occupational therapy
Occupational Therapy
in Norway
Work as an Occupational Therapist in Norway
Occupational
Therapy Training and Education
Occupational
Therapy Specialist
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