How is occupational therapy defined in New Jersey?

"Occupational therapy" means the evaluation, planning, and implementation of a program of purposeful activities to develop or maintain functional skills necessary to achieve the maximal physical or mental functioning, or both, of the individual in the person's daily occupational performance. The tasks of daily living may be threatened or impaired by physical injury or illness, developmental disability, sensorimotor disability, psychological and social disability, the aging process, poverty, or cultural deprivation. Occupational therapy utilizes task oriented activities adapted to prevent or correct physical or emotional disabilities as well as to minimize the disabling effects of those disabilities on the life of the individual.

What is included in the practice of occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy services include the use of specific techniques which enhance functional performance and include, but are not limited to, the evaluation and assessment of an individual's selfcare, lifestyle performance patterns, work skills, performance related cognitive, sensory, motor, perceptual, affective, interpersonal and social functioning, vocational, and prevocational capacities, the design, fabrication, and application of adaptive equipment or prosthetic or orthotic devices, excluding dental devices, the administration of standardized and nonstandardized assessments, and consultation concerning the adaptation of physical environments for persons with disabilities. These services are provided to individuals or groups through medical, health, educational and social systems.

The provision of direct, indirect and/or consultative services to a client affected by physical, psycho-social, cognitive, congenital and/or developmental disorders or the aging process, to improve and/or prevent loss of physical or mental functioning and to promote wellness.

The administration of standardized and/or non-standardized assessments and/or the observation of a client and the environment to identify areas of functional abilities or deficits. Areas, which may be assessed shall include the performance of activities of daily living, including recreation, leisure or work related skills, which are affected by sensory, motor, developmental, perceptual, cognitive and/ or psycho-social abilities.

The interpretation of the results of the assessment process, to determine the need for an intervention plan for the client. Such a plan shall be developed and administered by the occupational therapist in collaboration with the client, the client's family and related medical, health, educational or social agencies or professionals.

The development and utilization of, and education and training in, purposeful, task-oriented activities for the client to improve, restore and/or maintain optimal performance of life skills, roles and functions including work, recreation, leisure skills and activities of daily living.

The design, fabrication, application and/or selection of adaptive equipment, prosthetics and/or orthotic devices, except dental devices.

Consultation concerning the adaptation of physical environments.

The utilization of physical agent modalities, as an adjunct to, or in preparation for, purposeful activities to enhance occupational performance with which the licensee is familiar as a result of training and experience.

What is specifically excluded from the practice?

N/A

Are there any special trainings or requirements?

New Jersey OT Physical Agent Modalities

Reference

N.J.S.A. § 45:9-37.53

N.J.A.C. § 13:44K-5.1