Delegation of tasks to occupational therapy aides

1. The primary function of occupational therapy aides functioning in an occupational therapy setting is to perform designed routine tasks related to the operation of an occupational therapy service. An occupational therapist or an occupational therapy assistant may delegate to occupational therapy aides only specific tasks which are neither evaluative, task selective, nor recommending in nature, and only after ensuring that the occupational therapy aides are appropriately trained and have supportive documentation for the performance of the tasks. Such tasks may include: a. Routine department maintenance. b. Transportation of patients and clients. c. Preparation or setting up of treatment equipment and work area. d. Taking care of patient's and client's personal needs during treatments. e. Assisting the occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant in the construction of adaptive equipment. f. Clerical, secretarial duties. 2. The occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant may not delegate to occupational therapy aides: a. Performance of occupational therapy evaluative procedures. b. Initiation, planning, adjustment, modification, or performance of occupational therapy treatment procedures. c. Making occupational therapy entries directly in patient's or client's official records. d. Acting on behalf of the occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant in any matter related to occupational therapy intervention which requires decisionmaking.