Ala. Admin. Code r. 625-X-8-.03

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 625-X-8-.03 - Supervision Of Occupational Therapy Aides

(1) An occupational therapy aide/support personnel is an unlicensed person who assist in the practice of occupational therapy, who works under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist and whose activities require an understanding of occupational therapy but do not require professional or advance training in the basic anatomical, biological, psychological, and social sciences involved in the practice of occupational therapy. An occupational therapy aide is a worker who is trained on the job to meet the specific needs of the facility.

(2) A licensed occupational therapist may delegate to occupational therapy aides only specific tasks which are neither evaluative, assessive, task selective nor recommending in nature, and only after insuring that the aide has been appropriately trained for the performance of the task.

(3) Any duties assigned to an occupational therapy aide must be determined and appropriately supervised by a licensed occupational therapist and must not exceed the level of training, knowledge, skill, and competence of the individual being supervised. The licensed occupational therapist is totally and wholly responsible for the acts or actions performed by any occupational therapy aide functioning in the occupational therapy setting.

(4) Duties or functions which occupational therapy aides may perform include, but are not limited to:

(a) Routine department maintenance task

(b) Transportation of patients/clients

(c) Preparation or setting up of treatment equipment and work area

(d) Taking care of patient's/client's personal needs during treatment

(e) Clerical, secretarial, administrative activities.

(5) Duties or functions which occupational therapy aides shall not perform include, but are not limited to,

(a) Interpret referrals or prescriptions for occupational therapy services

(b) Perform evaluative procedures

(c) Develop, plan, adjust, or modify treatment procedures

(d) Act on behalf of the occupational therapist in any matter related to direct patient care which requires judgment or decision making

(e) Act independently or without supervision of an occupational therapist.

(6) An aide/support personnel may assist in the delivery of occupational therapy; however, may not provide direct patient treatment.

(7) Care rendered independently by an occupational therapy aide/support personnel shall not be charged as occupational therapy.

Author: Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy

Ala. Admin. Code r. 625-X-8-.03

Filed January 7, 1992. Amended: Filed December 18, 1995; effective January 22, 1996.

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 34-39-3, 34-39-11.