Section 17-6312. RESPONSIBILITIES

 

6312.1 An occupational therapist shall exercise sound judgment and provide adequate care in the performance of duties in accordance with nationally recognized standards of practice while treating patients or supervising the treatment of patients.

 

6312.2 An occupational therapist shall be responsible for managing all aspects of the occupational therapy care of each patient.  An occupational therapist shall provide the following:

 

(a) The initial evaluation and treatment plan for each patient and all supporting documentation;

 

(b) Periodic reevaluation for each patient and all supporting documentation; and

 

(c) The documented discharge of the patient, including the response to the intervention at the time of discharge.

 

6312.3 An occupational therapist who has been assigned to supervise a student training to be an occupational therapist shall:

 

(a) Directly supervise the student assigned to him or her; and

 

(b) Countersign all official or service-related documentation that the student drafts.

 

6312.4 An occupational therapist supervising a student shall be responsible for all of the students’ actions performed within the scope of practice during the time of supervision and shall be subject to disciplinary action for any violation of the Act or this chapter by the person supervised.

 

6312.5An occupational therapist supervising an occupational therapy assistant shall be responsible for all of the occupational therapy assistant’s actions performed within the scope of practice during the time of supervision and shall be subject to disciplinary action for any violation of the Act or this chapter by the occupational therapy assistant under his or her supervision.

 

6312.6A supervising occupational therapist shall provide the following:

 

(a) Direct supervision of an occupational therapy assistant prior to initiating treatment programs and before planned discharges for patients;

 

(b) An initial and, at a minimum, bimonthly direction to the occupational therapy assistant; and

 

(c) Documentation for verification of supervision and direction.

 

6312.7A supervising occupational therapist shall only delegate duties and responsibilities for the care of patients to the occupational therapy assistant with consideration given to the following:

 

(a) The level of skill shown by the occupational therapy assistant;

 

(b) The ability to use identified intervention in a safe and effective manner;

 

(c) Experience of the occupational therapy assistant and work setting demands; and

 

(d) The complexity and stability of the patient population to be treated.

 

 

authority

Section 302(14) of the District of Columbia Health Occupations Revision Act of 1985 (“Act”), effective March 25, 1986 (D.C. Law 6-99; D.C. Official Code § 3-1203.02(14) (2012 Repl.)), and Mayor’s Order 98-140, dated August 20, 1998.

source

Final Rulemaking published at 53 DCR 4551 (June 9, 2006); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 55 DCR 2598 (March 14, 2008); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 59 DCR 3133, 3140 (April 20, 2012); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 61 DCR 392 (January 17, 2014).

EditorNote

Section 6312 is formerly entitled, "Lawful Practice." The Notice of Final Rulemaking published at 59 DCR 3133 (April 20, 2012) renamed the section, "Responsibilities."