Occupational Therapy Practice Quiz

Occupational Therapy Standards of Practice

• Occupational therapy practice standards are requirements for occupational therapists to deliver services.
• They provide guidelines for service delivery and govern the actions and behavior of occupational therapists.

Occupational Therapy Professionals

• Occupational Therapist (OT): Holds a bachelor's degree (4-year program) in occupational therapy from a university.
• Occupational Therapy Assistant/Aid (OTA): Requires an associate degree or certificate from an accredited community college or technical school.
• Occupational Therapy Aides: Receive most training on the job. They work under supervision of OTs to provide rehabilitative services to clients.

Learning Objectives

• List and define occupational therapy (OT) practice standards.
• Identify OT practice standards for service delivery.
• Understand the OT code of ethics.
• List major components of Standards for Continuing Competence.

Standard I: Professional Standing and Responsibility

• OT practitioners deliver services reflecting occupational therapy's philosophical base, aligned with established theory and practice principles.
• OT practitioners possess knowledge of relevant standards, policies, and guidelines for practice and service delivery.
• They maintain current licensure, registration or certification according to laws and regulations.
• OT practitioners adhere to the Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics.

Standard I: Professional Standing and Responsibility (Continued)

• Adhere to Standards for Continuing Competence by establishing, maintaining, and updating professional performance, knowledge, and skills.
• Accountable for the safety and effectiveness of OT service delivery processes.
• Stay updated on legislative, political, social, cultural, societal, and reimbursement issues impacting clients and occupational therapy practice.
• Knowledgeable about evidence-based research, applying it ethically and appropriately in practice.
• Respect client's sociocultural background, offering client-centered and family-centered OT services.
• (OTAs) provide safe and effective occupational therapy services under the supervision of OTs, in accordance with laws and regulations.

Standard II: Screening, Evaluation, and Re-evaluation

• OT practitioners are responsible for all screenings, evaluations, and re-evaluations.
• They accept and respond to referrals in compliance with laws, regulations, payer requirements, and AOTA documents.
• Collaborate with clients to understand their history, goals, capacities, needs, daily activities, occupations, and the environments in which these occur.
• Initiate, direct, and analyze screening, evaluation, and re-evaluation processes, adhering to law and payer requirements.
• Use current assessments and procedures, following standardized protocols.
• Educate current and potential referral sources about the scope of OT services and the initiation process.
• Complete and document OT evaluation results; OTAs contribute to documentation.
• Communicate screening, evaluation, and re-evaluation results, respecting client confidentiality.
• Recommend further consultations or referrals when appropriate.
• OTAs contribute to the process by implementing delegated assessments and providing reports.

Standard III: Intervention

• OT practitioners develop, document, and implement intervention plans based on evaluations, client goals, best evidence, and clinical reasoning.
• Intervention plans are documented within established time frames, formats, and standards of practice settings, agencies, external accreditation programs, state and federal laws, and other regulatory and payer requirements.
• Collaborate with clients on intervention plans, considering client needs, priorities, safety issues, and benefits/risks.
• Coordinate with other professionals when appropriate, selecting and implementing appropriate types of interventions (e.g., therapeutic use of self, occupations, activities, consultation, education, advocacy).
• OTAs participate in the modification of intervention plans, consistently adhering to their competency and delegated responsibilities.
• Document changes to the intervention plan, as the client's needs, goals, and performance evolve.
• Document OT services according to established timeframes, formats, and standards.
• OTAs provide client response and communication information to the supervising OT.

Standard IV: Outcomes

• OT practitioners select, measure, document, and interpret client-centered outcomes related to occupation.
• Document client performance changes and transition clients to different services or intensities of care as needed (e.g., when goals are met, reaching maximum benefit, or client's desire to discontinue).
• Develop and implement transition or discontinuation plans, based on client needs, goals, performance, and follow-up resources.
• OTAs contribute to transition or discontinuation plans by providing information and documentation to the supervising OT.
• OT practitioners facilitate transition or discharge processes with clients, families, significant others, other professionals (e.g., medical, educational, or social services), and community resources if appropriate.

OT Code of Ethics

• Beneficence: Demonstrate concern for recipients of services well-being/safety.
• Nonmaleficence: Refrain from actions causing harm.
• Autonomy: Respect individual's self-determination, privacy, confidentiality, and consent.
• Justice: Promote fairness and objectivity in service provision.
• Veracity: Provide comprehensive, accurate and objective information representing the profession.
• Fidelity: Treat clients, colleagues, and other professionals with respect, fairness, discretion, and integrity.

Standards for Continuing Competence

• Knowledge: Understanding and integration of required information for multiple roles/responsibilities.
• Critical Reasoning: Use sound judgment and decision-making processes.
• Interpersonal Skills: Develop and maintain professional relationships as appropriate.
• Performance Skills: Demonstrate expertise, proficiencies, and abilities employing art and science of OT.
• Ethical Practice: Identify ethical issues and dilemmas, making responsible decisions.

Test your knowledge about the roles and responsibilities of occupational therapy practitioners and assistants. This quiz will cover essential aspects of the service delivery process, evaluation methods, and the importance of evidence-based practice. Assess your understanding of interventions and communication in occupational therapy.