Ohio Occupational Therapy Students

Definitions

Any person pursuing a course of study leading to a degree or certificate in occupational therapy in an accredited or approved educational program if the activities and services constitute a part of a supervised course of study.

“Student occupational therapist” means a student enrolled in an accredited or candidacy status entry-level occupational therapist education program or a student enrolled in a “World Federation of Occupational Therapy” accredited entry-level occupational therapist education program.

“Student occupational therapy assistant” means a student enrolled in an accredited or candidacy status entry-level occupational therapy assistant education program.

Role of students in clinical practice

At the discretion of the supervising occupational therapist or supervising occupational therapy assistant, as appropriate, be assigned duties or functions commensurate with the education and training.

Student occupational therapy assistant. The student occupational therapy assistant shall demonstrate appropriate skill and knowledge in duties being delegated. The supervising occupational therapist or supervising occupational therapy assistant shall demonstrate knowledge and competency in any procedure or services delegated to a student occupational therapy assistant.

Supervision requirements for student OTs and student OTAs

Student occupational therapist.

• A student occupational therapist shall be supervised by an occupational therapist who has completed at least one year of clinical practice as a fully licensed occupational therapist.
• The student occupational therapist, who is being supervised in accordance with the laws and rules governing the practice of occupational therapy, may supervise unlicensed personnel.

Student occupational therapy assistant.

• A student occupational therapy assistant shall be supervised by an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant who has completed at least one year of clinical practice as a fully licensed occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant.
• The student occupational therapy assistant, who is being supervised in accordance with the laws and rules governing the practice of occupational therapy, may supervise unlicensed personnel.

Co-Signatures on student documentation

Any documentation written by an occupational therapy assistant, student occupational therapist, or student occupational therapy assistant for inclusion in the client’s official record shall be co-signed by the supervising occupational therapist.

Designation for students

All student occupational therapists shall use one of the following to indicate student status:

• Student occupational therapist;
• Student OT; or
• S/OT.

All student occupational therapy assistants shall use one of the following to indicate student status:

• Student occupational therapy assistant;
• Student OTA; or
• S/OTA.

Citation

Ohio Rev. Code § 4755.13

Ohio Admin. Code 4755-7-01

Ohio Admin. Code 4755-7-02