DEFINITION:

The Occupational Therapy Assistant is a professional member of the home health team who, under the supervision of the Registered Occupational Therapist, assists in the deliverance of purposeful activity designed to enhance the physical and psychosocial functioning of the individual.

LINE OF AUTHORITY:

Reports to and is under the supervision and direction of the Registered Occupational Therapist.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Meets the requirements for certification as an occupational therapy assistant established by the American Occupational Therapy Association; or
• Has one year of appropriate experience as an occupational therapy assistant, and has achieved a satisfactory grade on a proficiency examination conducted, approved, or sponsored by the United States Public Health Service except that such determination of proficiency do not apply to persons initially licensed by a state or seeking initial qualification as an occupational therapy assistant after December 31, 1977 and
• Must be currently licensed by the State of Florida.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Makes visits in a timely manner, as scheduled within time frames as stated in agency’s policy.

• Plans and provides care based on patient/ client and family desires and mutually agreed upon patient/ client outcome goals.
• Contributes to the assessment and planning process, addresses physical, psychosocial, environmental and safety factors and considers physician’s  orders, relevant medical history, patient’s/ client’s functional status and availability of willing and able caregiver. Assists the physician in evaluating the patient’s/ client’s level of function by applying diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Administers structural test. Assists with development test.
• Provides care consistent with community standards for discipline and applicable law and regulation.
• Uses appropriate interventions to meet physical, psychosocial, environmental and safety needs of patient/ client and family.
• Uses teaching methods as appropriate, including demonstration, verbal instructions and written material.
• Provides care complaint with all agency’s policy and procedure including Confidentiality Policy, Patient’s/ Client’s Rights and Responsibilities and Agency Exposure Control Plan.

Regulatory Reference: Florida AHCA Tag H266, H267
Regulatory Reference: Federal Conditions of Participation Tag G184, G185, G186, G187, G188, G189
FIRSTLANTIC NURSING SERVICES, INC. POLICY MANUAL
Established 2/ 2004