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Alaska Occupational Therapy Legal Definitions

Board - The State Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board.

Continual On-Site Supervision - The supervising OT or OTA:

    • Is present in the department or facility where services are being provided;
    • Is immediately available to the non-licensed personnel being supervised; and
    • Maintains continual oversight of patient-related duties performed by the non-licensed personnel

Internship - Postgraduate on-the-job training of OT or OTA, approved by the board.

Interactive Telecommunication System - Audio and video equipment that permits a two-way, real-time communication between a licensed OT and a patient who is located at a distant site in the state which is not in close proximity of the OT.  Does not include: 

    • Electronic mail;
    • Facsimile machine; or
    • Telephone.

Licensed - The same meaning as registered, certified, or a similar term used by another licensing jurisdiction.

NBCOT - The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy

Non-Licensed Personnel - Personnel who are:

    • Used by a licensed OT or OTA to deliver patient-related duties and non-patient related duties related to the practice of occupational therapy; and
    • Trained under the direction of a licensed OT or OTA to perform designated non-patient related duties and patient-related duties related to the practice of occupational therapy;
    • Personnel who are referred to as "aides", "technicians", or "techs".

Non-Patient Related Duties - Clerical and maintenance activities and preparation of the work area or equipment.

Occupational Therapist - A person who practices occupational therapy.

Occupational Therapy - The use of purposeful activity, evaluation, treatment, and consultation with human beings whose ability to cope with the tasks of daily living are threatened with, or impaired by developmental deficits, learning disabilities, aging, poverty, cultural differences, physical injury or illness, or psychological and social disabilities to maximize independence, prevent disability, and maintain health.

Occupational Therapy Assistant - A person who assists in the practice of occupational therapy under the supervision of an OT.

Patient-Related Duties - Routine tasks that do not require the education, skill, and training of an OT or OTA, and for which the:

    • Outcome anticipated for the task is predictable;
    • Situation of the patient and the environment is stable and will not require that judgment, interpretations, or adaptations be made by non-licensed personnel; and
    • Task routine and process have been clearly established.

Preceptor - A licensed OT who provides on-site supervision for an intern serving an internship.

Supervision - Requirements:

    • The licensed OT will be present whenever a patient is evaluated, a treatment program is established, or a treatment program is changed; and
    • The licensed OT is present to personally review the diagnosis of the condition to be treated, to authorize the procedure, and before dismissal of the patient, to evaluate the performance of the treatment given.

Telerehabilitation - The practice of therapy by a person licensed as an OT using an interactive telecommunication system.

References

AS § 08.84.190

12 AAC 54.890

12 AAC 54.990

About Me

Zachary Edgar JD, LLM is the managing partner for Therapy Comply.  Zachary is a healthcare attorney that specializes in federal and state healthcare regulatory issues particularly for physical, occupational, and speech therapy practices.  

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