Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024
Section 13-1-12 - Responsibilities and Supervision Requirements of the Occupational Therapist, Occupational Therapy Assistant, or Limited Permit Holder12.1. It is the responsibility of each licensee or limited permit holder engaged in the practice of occupational therapy to be familiar with the requirements of the law regulating those activities in West Virginia and with the rules of the Board.12.2. The occupational therapist is responsible for all aspects of occupational therapy service delivery and is accountable for the safety and effectiveness of the occupational therapy service delivery process. The occupational therapy service delivery process involves evaluation, intervention planning, intervention implementation, intervention review, and outcome evaluation. 12.2.a. The occupational therapist must be directly involved through a face-to-face visit with the patient during the initial evaluation and establishment of the intervention plan, and prior to any change in the plan, such as adding, changing, renewing, or discontinuing occupational therapy goals.12.3. The occupational therapy assistant is responsible for delivering occupational therapy services under the supervision of and in partnership with the occupational therapist.12.4. It is the responsibility of the occupational therapist and the occupational therapy assistant to seek the appropriate quality and frequency of supervision to ensure safe and effective occupational therapy service delivery.12.4.a. The specific frequency, methods, and content of supervision may vary by practice setting and are dependent upon the: 12.4.a.1. Complexity of client needs,12.4.a.2. Number and diversity of clients,12.4.a.3. Skills of the occupational therapist and the occupational therapy assistant,12.4.a.4. Type of practice setting,12.4.a.5. Requirements of the practice setting, and12.4.a.6. Other regulatory requirements.12.4.b. It is the responsibility of the occupational therapist supervising an occupational therapy assistant with less than one year's experience to provide general supervision with direct contact at least every two weeks at the site of work and supervision available as needed by telephonic, electronic, or written communication. Documentation by the occupational therapist must reflect that this supervision has occurred.12.4.c. It is the responsibility of the occupational therapist supervising an occupational therapy assistant with increased skill development and mastery of basic role functions for the delivery of occupational therapy services to provide general supervision with monthly direct contact and supervision available as needed by telephonic, electronic, or written communication. Documentation by the occupational therapist must reflect that this supervision has occurred.12.4.d. General Supervision is demonstrated through co-signatures on all paperwork or electronic notes pertaining to the practice of occupational therapy for the person requiring general supervision. All paperwork or electronic notes pertaining to the practice of occupational therapy must be signed and dated, electronically or otherwise, by the supervising licensed occupational therapist. The supervisor need not be present or on the premises at all times where the licensed occupational therapy assistant is performing the professional services.12.5. It is the responsibility of the licensed supervisor to provide the appropriate supervision and to ensure that the limited permit holder, occupational therapy student, or aide does not perform duties for which he or she is not trained. 12.5.a. A licensed supervising occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant must maintain direct close supervision over limited permit holders;12.5.b. A licensed supervising occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant must maintain direct continuous supervision over aides.12.5.c. A licensed supervising occupational therapist must maintain direct continuous supervision over occupational therapy students. As the occupational therapy student demonstrates competency in performance, supervision can progress to direct close supervision at the discretion of the supervising occupational therapist;12.5.d. A licensed supervising occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant must maintain direct continuous supervision over occupational therapy assistant students. As the occupational therapy assistant student demonstrates competency in performance, supervision can progress to direct close supervision at the discretion of the supervising occupational therapist/occupational therapy assistant;12.5.e. Direct supervision is demonstrated through co-signatures on all paperwork or electronic notes pertaining to the practice of occupational therapy for the person requiring direct supervision. All paperwork or electronic notes pertaining to the practice of occupational therapy must be signed and dated, electronically or otherwise, by the supervising licensed occupational therapist.12.6. Any occupational therapist licensed under the requirements of this rule may use the words "Occupational Therapist Registered," "Licensed Occupational Therapist," or "Occupational Therapist" or he or she may use the letters "O.T.R.," "L.O.T.," "O.T.," "L/OTR," or "OTR/L" in connection with his or her name or place of business.12.7. Any Occupational therapy assistant licensed under the requirements of this rule may use the words "Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant," "Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant," or "Occupational Therapy Assistant" or he or she may use the letters "C.O.T.A.," "L.O.T.A.," or "O.T.A.," "L/COTA," or "COTA/L" in connection with his or her name or place of business.12.8. Any occupational therapist holding a limited permit may use the words "Limited Permit Occupational Therapist" or he or she may use the letters "L.P.O.T.," or "O.T./L.P." in connection with his or her name or place of business.12.9. Any occupational therapy assistant holding a limited permit may use the words "Limited Permit Occupational Therapy Assistant" or he or she may use the letters "L.P.O.T.A.," or "O.T.A./L.P." in connection with his or her name or place of business.