“Applicant”- A person applying to the board for any purpose relating to that person's licensure by the board.

“Association” - The South Dakota Occupational Therapy Association.

“Board of Examiners” - The South Dakota State Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners.

“Direct Supervision”- The physical presence of an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant in the immediate room when remediative tasks are being performed by an occupational therapy aide.

“Occupational Therapists” - Any person licensed to practice occupational therapy as defined in this chapter and whose license is in good standing.

“Occupational Therapy” - The evaluation, planning and implementation of a program of purposeful activities to develop or maintain adaptive skills necessary to achieve the maximal physical and mental functioning of the individual in his or her daily pursuits. The practice of occupational therapy includes consultation, evaluation, and treatment of individuals whose abilities to cope with the tasks of living are threatened or impaired by developmental deficits, the aging process, learning disabilities, poverty and cultural differences, physical injury or disease, psychological and social disabilities, or anticipated dysfunction.

“Occupational Therapy Aide” - Any person who assists in the practice of occupational therapy under the direct supervision of an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant.

“Occupational Therapy Assistant” - Any person licensed to assist in the practice of occupational therapy, under the supervision of or with the consultation of a licensed occupational therapist and whose license is in good standing.

“Occupational Therapy Committee” - The committee provided for in this chapter.

“Physical Agent Modalities” - Modalities that produce a biophysiological response through the use of light, water, temperature, sound, or electricity, or mechanical devices. Physical agent modalities include:

• Superficial thermal agents such as hydrotherapy/whirlpool, cryotherapy (cold packs/ice), fluidotherapy, hot packs, paraffin, water, infrared, and other commercially available superficial heating and cooling technologies;
• Deep thermal agents such as therapeutic ultrasound, phonophoresis, and other commercially available technologies;
• Electrotherapeutic agents such as biofeedback, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, functional electrical stimulation, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, electrical stimulation for tissue repair, high-voltage galvanic stimulation, and iontophoresis and other commercially available technologies;
• Mechanical devices such as vasopneumatic devices and CPM (continuous passive motion).

“Supervision”- The physical presence of an occupational therapist on the premises where a patient is being cared for by an occupational therapy assistant.

Reference

S.D. Codified Laws § 36-31-1

S.D. Admin. R. 20:64:01:01