172 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 114, § 006

Current through September 17, 2024

Section 172-114-006 - SUPERVISION OF AIDES IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

An aide, as used in occupational therapy practice, is an individual who provides supportive services to the occupational therapist and the occupational therapy assistant. Aides are not primary service providers of occupational therapy in any practice setting. Aides do not provide skilled occupational therapy services. An aide is trained by an occupational therapist or an occupational therapy assistant to perform specifically delegated tasks. The occupational therapist is responsible for the overall use and actions of the aide. An aide first must demonstrate competency to be able to perform the assigned, delegated client and non-client-related tasks.

(A) The occupational therapist must oversee the development, documentation, and implementation of a plan to supervise and routinely assess the ability of the occupational therapy aide to carry out client and non-client-related tasks. The occupational therapy assistant may contribute to the development and documentation of this plan.

(B) The occupational therapy assistant may supervise the aide.

(C) Non-client-related tasks include clerical and maintenance activities and preparation of the work area or equipment.

(D) Client-related tasks are routine tasks during which the aide may interact with the client but does not act as a primary service provider of occupational therapy services. Onsite supervision of an aide is required by an occupational therapist or an occupational therapy assistant when an aide is performing all client-related tasks. Onsite supervision of an aide means that the occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant must be physically present at the practice site to direct all actions when occupational therapy services are being provided.

006.01DELEGATION FACTORS. The following factors must be present when an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant delegates a selected client-related task to the aide:

(A) The outcome anticipated for the delegated task is predictable;

(B) The situation of the client and the environment is stable and will not require that judgment, interpretations, or adaptations be made by the aide;

(C) The aide has demonstrated some previous performance ability in executing the task; and

(D) The task routine and process have been clearly established.

006.02TRAINING REQUIREMENTS. When performing delegated client-related tasks, the supervisor must ensure that the aide:

(A) Is trained and able to demonstrate competency in carrying out the selected task and using equipment, if appropriate;

(B) Has been instructed on how to specifically carry out the delegated task with the specific client; and

(C) Knows the precautions, signs, and symptoms for the particular client that would indicate the need to seek assistance from the occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant.

006.03REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION. The supervision of the aide must be documented and include:

(A) Information about frequency and methods of supervision used;

(B) The content of the supervision; and

(C) The names and credential of all persons participating in the supervisory process.

006.04PROHIBITED TASKS. An occupational therapy aide may not perform evaluation, reevaluation, treatment planning or establish treatment goals.

172 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 114, § 006

Amended effective 6/20/2020