I am currently working as an occupational therapist at Western State Hospital with clients who have a variety of mental health issues. During my graduate level program, I took a course in mental health and completed a 480 hour, 12 week full-time placement with UNC Chapel Hill's acute inpatient psychiatric units. As an OT at Western State Hospital I participate in evaluations, add to treatment plans, implement interventions, and assist with discharge planning to help our clients live their lives as successfully and independently as possible in the community. I feel as an occupational therapist working in mental health I am qualified to be a QMHP and should not have to obtain any further qualifications, as I have gained an array of knowledge through schooling, fieldwork placements, learning experiences, continuing education, and most importantly at work over the past 1.5 years.

I am asking that the Part II Requirements for Registration regulation 18VAC115-80-40 B.5. Requirements for registration as a QMHP-A and 18VAC115-80-50 B.4. Requirements for registration as a QMHP-C be changed from the current Emergency Regulations to the following replacement:

Licensure as an occupational therapist by the Board of Medicine (§ 54.1-2900 of the Code of Virginia) with a master’s or doctoral degree, and an internship or practicum of at least 500 hours with persons with mental illness or one year of experience in a mental health setting.

I would add that someone with a bachelor's degree in occupational therapy, who has since been grandfathered in and working for many years in mental health, would also deserve a QMHP distinction.

Thank you for your time and consideration with this matter.

Clarissa Hull, MS, OTR/L