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Virginia Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Definition of a OTA
"Occupational therapy assistant" means an individual who has met the requirements of the Board for licensure and who works under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist to assist in the practice of occupational therapy.
What are OTAs allowed to do?
An occupational therapy assistant is responsible for the safe and effective delivery of those services or tasks delegated by and under the direction of the occupational therapist. Individual responsibilities of an occupational therapy assistant may include:
What are the responsibilities of the OT when delegating to a OTA?
Delegation to an occupational therapy assistant.
What type of therapist supervision is required?
The frequency, methods, and content of supervision are dependent on the complexity of patient needs, number and diversity of patients, demonstrated competency and experience of the assistant, and the type and requirements of the practice setting. The occupational therapist providing clinical supervision shall meet with the occupational therapy assistant to review and evaluate treatment and progress of the individual patients at least once every tenth (10th) treatment session or thirty (30) calendar days, whichever occurs first. Group treatment sessions shall be counted the same as individual treatment sessions.
What is the ratio between supervising OTs and OTAs?
An occupational therapist may provide clinical supervision for up to six occupational therapy personnel, to include no more than three occupational therapy assistants at any one time.
What must a OTA document?
The occupational therapy assistant shall document in the patient record any aspects of the initial evaluation, treatment plan, discharge summary, or other notes on patient care performed by the assistant.
Signature Requirements
The supervising occupational therapist shall countersign such documentation in the patient record at the time of the review and evaluation.
Aides
What can an aide do?
Unlicensed occupational therapy personnel may be utilized to perform:
What type of supervision is required?
Unlicensed occupational therapy personnel may be supervised by an occupational therapist or an occupational therapy assistant.
Citations
18 VAC 85-80-111
18 VAC 85-80-100
18 VAC 85-80-110
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