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Alaska Occupational Therapy Legal Definitions

These definitions have been modified for clarity.  

Board

The Alaska 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 OTs or OTAs, approved by the board.

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;
  • Includes 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.

Supervision

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.

Reference

AS 08.84.190

12 AAC 54.890

About Me

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

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