Immediate Area - An OT is on the same floor and within 80 feet of an occupational therapy aide providing services to an occupational therapy patient.

Occupational Therapist - A person who is licensed in Arizona to practice occupational therapy and who is a graduate of an accredited occupational therapy education program, completes the approved fieldwork and passes the examination as required by the board pursuant to section 32-3424.

Occupational Therapy Aide - A person who is not licensed as an OT or OTA working under the continuous supervision of a licensed OT.

Occupational Therapy Assistant - A person who is licensed in Arizona, who is a graduate of an accredited occupational therapy assistant education program, who assists in the practice of occupational therapy and who performs delegated procedures commensurate with the person's education and training.

Physically Present - A supervising OT is present to observe the practice of occupational therapy.

Premises - The building and the surrounding property in which the occupational therapy is practiced.

Supervision - A collaborative process for the responsible periodic review and inspection of all aspects of occupational therapy services. The following levels of supervision are minimal. An occupational therapist may assign an increased level of supervision if necessary for the safety of a patient or client. The levels of supervision are:

• “Close supervision” means the supervising OT provides initial direction to the occupational therapy assistant and daily contact while on the premises.
• “Continuous supervision” means the supervising OT is in the immediate area of the occupational therapy aide performing supportive services.
• “General supervision” means the OT has face-to-face contact with the occupational therapy assistant at least once every thirty (30) calendar days on a per patient or client basis while on the premises, with the supervising OT available by telephone or by written communication.
• “Minimal supervision” means the supervising OT has face-to-face contact with the OTA at least once every thirty (30) calendar days while on the premises.
• “Routine supervision” means the supervising OT has face-to-face contact with the OTA at least once every fifteen (15) calendar days on a per patient or client basis while on the premises, with the supervising occupational therapist available by telephone or by written communication.

Supportive Services - Clerical and maintenance activities, preparation of work area or equipment, and delegated, routine aspects of an intervention session with a patient or client that require no adaptations by an occupational therapy aide.

Reference

A.R.S. §32-3401

4 A.C.C. §43-101