Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 259 CMR - BOARD OF REGISTRATION OF ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS › Title 259 CMR 3.00 - Occupational therapists › Section 3.02 - Occupational Therapy Service Delivery Process

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
(1)
Responsibility of the Occupational Therapist
.
(a) Responsible for all aspects of occupational therapy service delivery, including Screening, Evaluation and reevaluation and is accountable for the safety and effectiveness of the Occupational Therapy Service Delivery Process.
(b) Must be directly involved in the delivery of services during the Screening, initial Evaluation, reevaluation, and regularly throughout the course of intervention, including discharge/outcome Evaluation.
(c) Responsible for determining when to delegate to other occupational therapy personnel. When delegating aspects of occupational therapy services, the occupational therapist considers the following factors
1. The complexity of the Client's condition.
2. The knowledge, skill and competence of the occupational therapy practitioner and/or the Occupational Therapy Aide.
3. The nature and complexity of the intervention.
4. The needs and requirements of the practice setting.
(d) Assumes primary responsibility for obtaining informed consent from the Client for occupational therapy services to be provided.
(e) Provides appropriate and required supervision (
see
259 CMR 3.05 ) to other occupational therapy personnel, including occupational therapy assistant, occupational therapy student or occupational therapy assistant student and Occupational Therapy Aide.
(f) Assumes responsibility for communicating results of Evaluation, goals, and Intervention Plan to the Client with recommendations about occupational therapy services to be provided.
(g) Initiates and directs the Screening process, analyzes and interprets the data in accordance with applicable laws, other regulatory requirements and AOTA documents.
(h) Initiates and directs the Evaluation process, analyzes and interprets the data in accordance with applicable laws, other regulatory requirements, and AOTA documents.
1. Uses current Assessments and Assessment procedures and follows defined protocols of standardized Assessments.
2. Uses best evidence to inform intervention.
3. Directs all aspects of the initial contact during the occupational therapy Evaluation, including:
a. Determining the need for service (Screening).
b. Determining the Client's goals and priorities based on collaborative discussion with the Client.
c. Establishing intervention priorities.
d. Determining specific needs for further Assessment.
e. Determining specific Assessment tasks that can be delegated to the occupational therapy assistant.
4. Interpret Evaluation data, including information provided by the occupational therapy assistant, occupational therapy student, or occupational therapy assistant student.
(i) Assumes primary responsibility for the development of the occupational therapy Intervention Plan based on the initial Evaluation, including long and short term goals, expected frequency, and duration.
Identifies and documents precautions, contraindications, anticipated progress, and plans for reevaluation on a regular basis or as required by payors and other regulatory bodies.
(j) Assumes primary responsibility for the intervention process.
1. Assumes responsibility for providing appropriate supervision to the occupational therapy assistant when delegating aspects of the occupational therapy intervention.
2. Determines the need for continuing, modifying or discontinuing occupational therapy services in consultation with the Client.
3. Designates or establishes channels of written and/or oral communication with all other care providers, regarding Client's status.
4. Recommends additional consultations or refers Clients to appropriate resources when the needs of the Client can best be served by the expertise of other professionals or services.
(k) Assumes primary responsibility for selecting, measuring and interpreting discharge data/outcomes.
1. Prepares and implements a transition or discontinuation plan based on the Client's needs, goals, performance, and appropriate follow-up resources.
2. Directs responsibility for the contents of the discharge Evaluation/summary.
3. Makes necessary referrals to other professionals or facilities.