Board - The Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners.

Consultation - The act or procedure of exchanging ideas or information or providing professional advice to another professional or responsible party regarding the provision of occupational therapy services.

Evaluation - An OT’s assessment of treatment needs within the scope of practice of occupational therapy. Evaluation does not include making a medical diagnosis.

Facility of Practice - The principal location of an agency or organization where an OT or OTA practices occupational therapy.

Good Moral Character - An applicant has not been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor within five (5) years before application and never been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.

Health Care Professional - A person certified as an OT or an OTA by the American Occupational Therapy Certification Board or the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. or any medical professional licensed by A.R.S. Title 32 or the equivalent if licensed outside of Arizona.

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.

Letter of Concern - A non-disciplinary advisory letter to notify a licensee that, while there is insufficient evidence to support disciplinary action, the licensee should modify or eliminate certain practices and that continuation of the activities that led to the information being submitted to the board may result in future action against the licensee's license.

Licensee - A person licensed in Arizona as an OT or an OTA.

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 - The use of therapeutic activities or modalities to promote engagement in activities with individuals who are limited by physical or cognitive injury or illness, psychosocial dysfunction, developmental or learning disabilities, sensory processing or modulation deficits or the aging process in order to achieve optimum functional performance, maximize independence, prevent disability and maintain health. Occupational therapy includes evaluation, treatment and consultation based on the client's temporal, spiritual and cultural values and needs.

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.

Occupational Therapy Services:

• Developing an intervention and training plan that is based on the OT’s evaluation of the client's occupational history and experiences, including the client's daily living activities, development, activity demands, values and needs.
• Evaluating and facilitating developmental, perceptual-motor, communication, neuromuscular and sensory processing function, psychosocial skills and systemic functioning, including wound, lymphatic and cardiac functioning.
• Enhancing functional achievement, prevocational skills and work capabilities through the use of therapeutic activities and modalities that are based on anatomy, physiology and kinesiology, growth and development, disabilities, technology and analysis of human behavioral and occupational performance.
• Evaluating, designing, fabricating and training the individual in the use of selective orthotics, prosthetics, adaptive devices, assistive technology and durable medical equipment as appropriate.
• Administering and interpreting standardized and nonstandardized tests that are performed within the practice of occupational therapy, including manual muscle, sensory processing, range of motion, cognition, developmental and psychosocial tests.
• Assessing and adapting environments for individuals with disabilities or who are at risk for dysfunction.

Person - An individual, partnership, corporation, association, governmental subdivision or unit of a governmental subdivision, a public or private organization of any character or another agency.

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