Sec 32-3441. Proper use of title or designation of occupational therapists; license display; supervision; responsibilities

A. A person who is licensed pursuant to this chapter to practice as an occupational therapist and who is in good standing may use the title of licensed occupational therapist and the abbreviation "O.T.", "O.T./L.", "O.T.R." or "O.T.R./L.". A person who is licensed pursuant to this chapter to practice as a licensed occupational therapy assistant and who is in good standing may use the title of licensed occupational therapy assistant and the abbreviation "O.T.A.", "O.T.A./L.", "C.O.T.A." or "C.O.T.A./L.".

B. Each occupational therapist and occupational therapy assistant shall display the person's current license in each facility in which the person practices occupational therapy. If a facility is not available for the display of the license, the occupational therapist or the occupational therapy assistant must carry a board-issued wallet-sized license card during working hours.

C. The board may adopt rules reasonably related to sound client care governing an occupational therapist's supervision of licensed occupational therapy assistants or unlicensed personnel or students working with the occupational therapist.

D. An occupational therapist and an occupational therapy assistant are professionally and legally responsible for supervising client care given by unlicensed personnel or students. If an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant fails to adequately supervise client care given by unlicensed personnel or students, the board may take disciplinary action against the occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant.

E. In all settings in which occupational therapy services are provided, an occupational therapist, during evaluation, intervention and outcome and discharge planning:

1. Must sign all clinical documentation performed by students.

2. Must be the primary clinical supervisor for level II occupational therapist and occupational therapy assistant students, including level II doctoral students. The occupational therapist's supervision of the student must initially be direct and subsequently may be decreased to less direct supervision as appropriate to the setting, the client's needs and the student's ability.

F. In all settings in which occupational therapy services are provided, an occupational therapy assistant, during evaluation, intervention and outcome and discharge planning:

1. Must sign all clinical documentation performed by students.

2. Must be under the direction of an occupational therapist.

3. May be the primary clinical educator for level I occupational therapist and occupational therapy assistant students and level II occupational therapy assistant students. The occupational therapy assistant's supervision of the student must initially be direct and subsequently may be decreased to less direct supervision as appropriate to the setting, the client's needs and the student's ability.