Regulatory & advocacy
Capability model and self-assessment tool unveil pathways to career growth for members of a professional association
Education & professional development
Challenge
A national occupational therapy (OT) professional association representing 65,000 members and advocating for 244,500 OT practitioners and students nationwide faced a critical challenge. Recent OT and occupational therapy assistant (OTA) graduates were seeking more from their membership experience, and participation rates among some demographics were lagging. Determined to understand their needs, the association conducted a comprehensive study, reaching out to both members and nonmembers to gauge their challenges, needs, and aspirations. Their results illuminated a gap: recent OT graduates felt under-supported in acquiring the skills they needed to excel in their evolving roles and career pathways.
Specifically, their results brought to light key needs: (1) resources to explore OT or OTA career path options, (2) foundational skills development to pursue a career as an OT or OTA, and (3) clear guidance on charting a professional development growth plan. With these insights, the organization recognized that addressing these needs would require a bold reevaluation of its support structure, positioning itself as a critical partner for OT professionals.
Solution
To design a solution that would transform the association’s value, they enlisted the expertise of Cynuria’s team of Industrial/Organizational Psychologists. With a research-driven approach, the team dove deep, identifying gaps between the skills required and those possessed to develop a customized solution. The goal was to identify current career trends and development interests.
We started by developing an nationwide online survey for OTs and OTAs to capture the frequency and importance of OT tasks. Leveraging insights from OT professionals, subject matter experts, and industry leaders, we developed a series of behavioral statements and asked respondents to rate the frequency and importance of each task, along with the current level of their knowledge and skill. We piloted the survey to check the validity of each question, with 635 individuals completing the survey by pilot completion.
To develop the survey items, our team:
- Conducted a full literature review
- Facilitated four focus groups with 36 pre-selected organizational members and nonmembers representing a wide array of career settings and job levels
- Interviewed five known thought leaders in the field.
This groundwork provided a clear picture of the skills, knowledge, and pathways OT professionals needed to thrive at every career stage.
Our team distilled the findings of the survey in a Role and Career Analysis Findings Report, creating a roadmap that highlighted essential career trends and skill-building opportunities for OT professionals. The report underscored the strategic areas the association could invest in to bridge the gap for their members, particularly for emerging professionals. The organization’s strategic planning underscored the career trends and skills that mattered most to the OT community. Ultimately, addressing these needs within their programs and resources would require re-envisioning their professional development program and strategies. Our team shared these findings with the association’s Executive Director, Chief Innovation and Engagement Officer, and Vice President of Knowledge & Data Science.
Building the OT/OTA capability model and self assessment tool
Central to this transformation was creating an OT/OTA Capability Model and Self-assessment tool. Inspired by the Association for Talent and Development’s (ATD) well-established model, which serves as a foundation for professional growth in many fields, the OT/OTA Capability Model was crafted specifically to guide professionals in identifying, assessing, and developing the essential competencies they need for to advance in their careers within occupational therapy. From foundational knowledge to leadership competencies, the model outlined core competencies and progression paths, equipping the organization with a framework to help its members navigate their career transitions, build relevant skills, and demonstrate their professional capabilities in a rapidly evolving field.
The tailored Capability Model encompassed four core capability areas critical for OT/OTA roles, mapping out current and future skills across three key career stages: early-career, mid-career, and advanced. It provided a structured pathway, empowering OT professionals to:
- Self-assess their skills
- Identify areas for growth
- Set goals for technical and leadership development
The Capability Model and the Self-Assessment tool offered practical, accessible resources to help OT practitioners grow with confidence, adapt to changes, and align with the demands of their evolving field.
To ensure the Capability Model resonated with the real-world needs of OT practitioners, we conducted two pilot programs with 1,700 participants from the OT/OTA community. Feedback from over 60 OT professionals, subject matter experts (SMEs), industry leaders, and Board of Directors members helped refine the model, maximizing its relevance and usability to the association’s membership.
Recognizing that a model’s value is in its application, our team developed training material to guide members through the Capability Model, providing them with a resource they could revisit as their careers evolved. Additional job aids and practical tools were also developed to help members maximize the mode’s benefits.
Results
This partnership led to a renewed and strengthened membership value proposition, particularly for recent graduates and those entering the field. The Capability Model and Self-assessment tool designed and delivered by the experts at Cynuria provided OT professionals with a clear, supportive pathway for skill development at every stage of their career. The association could now position itself not just as a membership organization but as a vital resource for lifelong career development, fostering a community that grows and thrives together.
In an increasingly complex healthcare landscape, the newly developed Capability Model and Self-assessment tool empower the association to champion the professional growth of OTs and OTAs, ensuring they are equipped to meet the demands of the future with confidence and skill.
loading resources