The Florida Senate

468.203  Definitions.--As used in this act, the term:

(1)  "Association" means the Florida Occupational Therapy Association.

(2)  "Board" means the Board of Occupational Therapy Practice.

(3)  "Occupational therapist" means a person licensed to practice occupational therapy as defined in this act and whose license is in good standing.

(4)  "Occupational therapy" means the use of purposeful activity or interventions to achieve functional outcomes.

(a)  For the purposes of this subsection:

1.  "Achieving functional outcomes" means to maximize the independence and the maintenance of health of any individual who is limited by a physical injury or illness, a cognitive impairment, a psychosocial dysfunction, a mental illness, a developmental or a learning disability, or an adverse environmental condition.

2.  "Assessment" means the use of skilled observation or the administration and interpretation of standardized or nonstandardized tests and measurements to identify areas for occupational therapy services.

(b)  Occupational therapy services include, but are not limited to:

1.  The assessment, treatment, and education of or consultation with the individual, family, or other persons.

2.  Interventions directed toward developing daily living skills, work readiness or work performance, play skills or leisure capacities, or enhancing educational performance skills.

3.  Providing for the development of: sensory-motor, perceptual, or neuromuscular functioning; range of motion; or emotional, motivational, cognitive, or psychosocial components of performance.

These services may require assessment of the need for use of interventions such as the design, development, adaptation, application, or training in the use of assistive technology devices; the design, fabrication, or application of rehabilitative technology such as selected orthotic devices; training in the use of assistive technology; orthotic or prosthetic devices; the application of physical agent modalities as an adjunct to or in preparation for purposeful activity; the use of ergonomic principles; the adaptation of environments and processes to enhance functional performance; or the promotion of health and wellness.

(c)  The use of devices subject to 21 C.F.R. s. 801.109 and identified by the board is expressly prohibited except by an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant who has received training as specified by the board. The board shall adopt rules to carry out the purpose of this provision.

(5)  "Occupational therapy aide" means a person who assists in the practice of occupational therapy, who works under the direct supervision of a licensed occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant, and whose activities require a general understanding of occupational therapy pursuant to board rules.

(6)  "Occupational therapy assistant" means a person licensed to assist in the practice of occupational therapy, who works under the supervision of an occupational therapist, and whose license is in good standing.

(7)  "Person" means any individual, partnership, unincorporated organization, or corporate body, except that only an individual may be licensed under this act.

(8)  "Supervision" means responsible supervision and control, with the licensed occupational therapist providing both initial direction in developing a plan of treatment and periodic inspection of the actual implementation of the plan. Such plan of treatment shall not be altered by the supervised individual without prior consultation with, and the approval of, the supervising occupational therapist. The supervising occupational therapist need not always be physically present or on the premises when the assistant is performing services; however, except in cases of emergency, supervision shall require the availability of the supervising occupational therapist for consultation with and direction of the supervised individual.

History.--s. 3, ch. 75-179; s. 1, ch. 78-18; s. 333, ch. 81-259; s. 2, ch. 81-318; ss. 1, 12, 13, ch. 84-4; s. 1, ch. 90-22; s. 4, ch. 91-429; s. 107, ch. 92-149; s. 123, ch. 97-264.