Section 3-2 - Supervision of Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants or Occupational Therapy Assistants (a) A licensed COTA or OTA may assist in the practice of occupational therapy only under the supervision of an OTR or OT.
(b) The supervisory guidelines are as follows: - (i) An entry-level COTA or OTA is an individual working on initial skill development or entering a new practice area. At this level the OTR or OT shall provide close supervision.
- (ii) An intermediate-level COTA or OTA is an individual working on increased skill development and mastery of basic role functions and demonstrates ability to respond to situations based on previous experience. At this level the OTR or OT shall provide routine supervision.
- (iii) Advanced-level COTA or OTA is an individual refining specialized skills with the ability to understand complex issues affecting role functions. At this level the OTR or OT shall provide general supervision.
(c) Each supervising OTR or OT shall maintain a supervisory plan and shall document the supervision of each COTA or OTA using the supervision form provided by the Board. Documentation shall include evidence of regular supervision and contact between the supervisor and the assistant and may be subject to Board review upon request. Documentation shall be kept for three (3) years. Supervision shall include: - (i) Communicating to the COTA or OTA the results of patient or client evaluation and discussing the goals and program plan for the patient or client;
- (ii) Providing information, instruction and assistance as needed;
- (iii) Annually, or more often if warranted, preparing a written appraisal of the COTA or OTAs performance and discussing the appraisal with the COTA or OTA;
- (iv) A supervising OTR or OT after initial record review is performed may assign the administration of standardized tests, activities of daily living evaluations, or other elements of patient evaluation and re-evaluation that do not require the professional judgment and skill of an occupational therapist to an intermediate or advanced COTA or OTA. Assignment under this subsection must be consistent with COTA or OTA's education and training.
- (v) More frequent supervision may be necessary as determined by the OTR or OT or the COTA or OTA, dependent on the level of expertise displayed by the COTA or OTA, the setting and the population characteristics.
(d) A supervisor who is temporarily unable to provide supervision shall arrange for substitute supervision by an OTR or OT currently licensed by the Board. The substitute shall provide supervision that is as rigorous and thorough as that provided by the permanent supervisor.