D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 17, r. 17-7314

Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 49, December 6, 2024

Rule 17-7314 - SUPERVISION OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANTS

7314.1

An occupational therapy assistant may only practice under the supervision, as specified in this section, of an occupational therapist with an active, unrestricted license in good standing in the District of Columbia. The supervising occupational therapist must be available on an as-needed basis and must be able to be on-site within two (2) hours if a need arises.

7314.2

The supervising occupational therapist shall provide the following:

(a) Direct supervision of an occupational therapy assistant prior to initiating treatment programs and before planned discharges for patients;

(b) An initial and, at a minimum, bimonthly direction to the occupational therapy assistant; and

(c) Documentation to verify details of supervision and direction.

7314.3

The supervising occupational therapist shall only delegate duties and responsibilities for the care of patients to the occupational therapy assistant with consideration given to the following:

(a) The level of skill shown by the occupational therapy assistant;

(b) The occupational therapy assistant's ability to use identified intervention in a safe and effective manner;

(c) Experience of the occupational therapy assistant and work setting demands; and

(d) The complexity and stability of the patient population to be treated.

7314.4

An occupational therapy assistant may assist in the collection and some of the documentation of patient information pertaining to the evaluation and treatment of a patient provided that the supervising occupational therapist bases such assignment or delegation of duties on the demonstrated competency of the occupational therapy assistant. This demonstrated competency shall be documented and maintained on file by the supervising occupational therapist.

7314.5

An occupational therapy assistant shall not supervise another occupational therapy assistant.

7314.6

An occupational therapy assistant shall immediately inform the supervising occupational therapist and discontinue treatment if a procedure appears to be harmful to the patient.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 17, r. 17-7314

Final Rulemaking published at 61 DCR 408 (January 17, 2014)

Authority: Section 302(14) of the District of Columbia Health Occupations Revision Act of 1985 ("Act"), effective March 25, 1986 (D.C. Law 6-99; D.C. Official Code § 3-1203.02(14) (2012 Repl.)), and Mayor's Order 98-140, dated August 20, 1998.