NAC640A.265. Delegation of duties to occupational therapy assistants and unlicensed persons; limitations.

     1. An occupational therapist shall supervise any program of intervention which is delegated to an occupational therapy assistant.

     2. Only an occupational therapist may:

     (a) Interpret the record of a patient who is referred to the occupational therapist by a provider of health care;

     (b) Interpret the evaluation of a patient and identify any problem of the patient;

     (c) Develop a plan of care for a patient based upon the initial evaluation of the patient, which includes the goal of the treatment of the patient;

     (d) Determine the appropriate portion of the program of intervention and evaluation to be delegated to an occupational therapy assistant;

     (e) Delegate the treatment to be administered by the occupational therapy assistant;

     (f) Instruct the occupational therapy assistant regarding:

          (1) The specific program of intervention of a patient;

          (2) Any precaution to be taken to protect a patient;

          (3) Any special problem of a patient;

          (4) Any procedure which should not be administered to a patient; and

          (5) Any other information required to treat a patient;

     (g) Review the program of intervention of a patient in a timely manner;

     (h) Record the goal of treatment of a patient; and

     (i) Revise the plan of care when indicated.

     3. Except as otherwise provided in NAC 640A.267, a licensee shall not knowingly delegate to a person who is less qualified than the licensee any program of intervention which requires the skill, common knowledge and judgment of the licensee.

     (Added to NAC by Bd. of Occupational Therapy, eff. 12-23-92; A by R179-01, 9-20-2002; R210-07, 9-18-2008)