Section 246-847-010 - Definitions The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Adapting environments for individuals with disabilities" includes assessing needs, identifying strategies, implementing and training in the use of strategies, and evaluating outcomes. Occupational therapy focuses on the interaction of an individual's skills and abilities, the features of the environment, and the demands and purposes of activities.(2) "Board" means the occupational therapy practice board.(3) "Clients" includes those to whom occupational therapy services are delivered.(4) "Client-related tasks" are routine tasks during which an occupational therapy aide may interact with the client but does not act as a primary service provider of occupational therapy services. The following factors must be present when an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant delegates a selected client-related task to the aide: (a) The outcome anticipated for the delegated task is predictable;(b) The status of the client and the environment is stable and will not require that the aide make judgments, interpretations, or adaptations;(c) The client has demonstrated some previous performance ability in executing the task; and(d) The task routine and process have been clearly established.(5) "Commonly accepted standards for the profession" in RCW 18.59.040(5)(b) and 18.59.070 shall mean having passed the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy or its successor/predecessor organization, not having engaged in unprofessional conduct or gross incompetency as established by the board in WAC 246-847-160 for conduct occurring prior to June 11, 1986, and as established in RCW 18.130.180 for conduct occurring on or after June 11, 1986.(6) "Department" means the department of health.(7) "Evaluation" means the process of obtaining and interpreting data necessary for treatment which includes, but is not limited to, planning for and documenting the evaluation process and results. The evaluation data may be gathered through record review, specific observation, interview, and the administration of data collection procedures which include, but are not limited to, the use of standardized tests, performance checklists, and activities and tasks designed to evaluate specific performance abilities.(8) "Occupational therapy aide" means a person who is trained by an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant to perform client and nonclient related tasks. Occupational therapy aides are not primary service providers of occupational therapy in any practice setting. Occupational therapy aides do not provide skilled occupational therapy services.(9) "Professional supervision" of an occupational therapy aide as described in RCW 18.59.020(5) means in-person contact at the treatment site by an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant licensed in the state of Washington. When client-related tasks are provided by an occupational therapy aide more than once a week, professional supervision must occur at least weekly. When client-related tasks are provided by an occupational therapy aide once a week or less, professional supervision must occur at least once every two weeks.(10) "Regular consultation with an occupational therapy assistant" means at least monthly contact with the supervising occupational therapist licensed in the state of Washington, with further supervision available as needed.(11) "Scientifically based use of purposeful activity" means the treatment of individuals using established methodology based upon the behavioral and biological sciences and includes the therapeutic use of everyday life activities (occupations) with individuals or groups for the purpose of participation in roles and situations in home, school, workplace, community, and other settings. "Occupations" are activities having unique meaning and purpose in an individual's life.(12) "Teaching daily living skills" means the instruction in daily living skills by an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant based upon the evaluation of all the components of the individual's disability and the adaptation or treatment based on the evaluation.Wash. Admin. Code § 246-847-010
Amended by WSR 14-05-016, filed 2/10/14, effective 2/15/2014Amended by WSR 18-09-032, Filed 4/11/2018, effective 8/1/2018Statutory Authority: RCW 18.59.130. 07-20-076, § 246-847-010, filed 10/1/07, effective 11/1/07; 92-18-015 (Order 300B), § 246-847-010, filed 8/24/92, effective 9/24/92; 91-11-064 (Order 171B), § 246-847-010, filed 5/16/91, effective 6/16/91; 91-05-027 (Order 112B), recodified as § 246-847-010, filed 2/12/91, effective 3/15/91. Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.59 RCW. 90-16-071 (Order 075), § 308-171-001, filed 7/30/90, effective 8/30/90. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.59.130 and 18.130.050. 87-09-044 (Order PM 645), § 308-171-001, filed 4/14/87. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.59.130(2) and 18.130.050(1). 86-17-064 (Order PM 610), § 308-171-001, filed 8/19/86. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.59.130(2) and 18.59.020(5). 86-10-004 (Order PL 588), § 308-171-001, filed 4/24/86. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.59.130(2). 85-12-010 (Order PL 529), § 308-171-001, filed 5/23/85. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.59.130(2) and 18.59.020. 85-05-008 (Order PL 513 ), § 308-171-001, filed 2/11/85.