6313

STANDARDS OF PRACTICE FOR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANTS

6313.1 An occupational therapy assistant shall exercise reasonable judgment and provide adequate care in the performance of duties in accordance with nationally recognized standards of practice.

6313.2 An occupational therapy assistant may only practice under the general supervision of a licensed occupational therapist who is authorized to practice in the District of Columbia. The occupational therapist must be available on an as-needed basis and must be available to be on-site in the event of a clinical incident within two (2) hours.

6313.3 An occupational therapist shall provide the following:

1. (a) Direct supervision of an occupational therapy assistant prior to initiating treatment programs and before planned discharges for patients;
2. (b) An initial and, at a minimum, bimonthly direction to the occupational therapy assistant; and
3. (c) Documentation for verification of supervision and direction.

6313.4 A supervising occupational therapist shall delegate duties and responsibilities for the care of patients to the occupational therapy assistant with consideration given to the following:

1. (a) The level of skill shown by the occupational therapy assistant;
2. (b) The ability to use identified intervention in a safe and effective manner;
3. (c) Experience of the occupational therapy assistant and work setting demands; and
4. (d) The complexity and stability of the patient population to be treated.

6313.5 An occupational therapy assistant shall assist in the collection and some of the documentation of patient information pertaining to the evaluation and treatment of a patient. The extent of this involvement shall be based on the demonstrated competency of the occupational therapy assistant. This demonstrated competency shall be documented and maintained on file by the supervising occupational therapist.

6313.6 An occupational therapy assistant shall not supervise another occupational therapy assistant.

6313.7 An occupational therapy assistant shall immediately inform the supervising occupational therapist and discontinue treatment if the procedure appears to be harmful to the patient.

SOURCE: A Notice of Final Rulemaking published at 59 DCR 3133, 3141 (April 20, 2012).