Subdivision 1. Applicability. If the professional standards identified in section 148.6430 permit an occupational therapist to delegate an evaluation, reevaluation, or treatment procedure, the occupational therapist must provide supervision consistent with this section.

Subd. 2. Evaluations. The occupational therapist shall determine the frequency of evaluations and reevaluations for each client. The occupational therapy assistant shall inform the occupational therapist of the need for more frequent reevaluation if indicated by the client's condition or response to treatment. Before delegating a portion of a client's evaluation pursuant to section 148.6430, the occupational therapist shall ensure the service competency of the occupational therapy assistant in performing the evaluation procedure and shall provide supervision consistent with the condition of the patient or client and the complexity of the evaluation procedure.

Subd. 3. Treatment. (a) The occupational therapist shall determine the frequency and manner of supervision of an occupational therapy assistant performing treatment procedures delegated pursuant to section 148.6430, based on the condition of the patient or client, the complexity of the treatment procedure, and the proficiencies of the occupational therapy assistant.

(b) Face-to-face collaboration between the occupational therapist and the occupational therapy assistant shall occur, at a minimum, every two weeks, during which time the occupational therapist is responsible for:

(1) planning and documenting an initial treatment plan and discharge from treatment;

(2) reviewing treatment goals, therapy programs, and client progress;

(3) supervising changes in the treatment plan;

(4) conducting or observing treatment procedures for selected clients and documenting appropriateness of treatment procedures. Clients shall be selected based on the occupational therapy services provided to the client and the role of the occupational therapist and the occupational therapy assistant in those services; and

(5) ensuring the service competency of the occupational therapy assistant in performing delegated treatment procedures.

(c) Face-to-face collaboration must occur more frequently than every two weeks if necessary to meet the requirements of paragraph (a) or (b).

(d) The occupational therapist shall document compliance with this subdivision in the client's file or chart.

Subd. 4. Exception. The supervision requirements of this section do not apply to an occupational therapy assistant who:

(1) works in an activities program; and

(2) does not perform occupational therapy services.

The occupational therapy assistant must meet all other applicable requirements of sections 148.6401 to 148.6449.

History: 2000 c 361 s 16; 2014 c 291 art 4 s 13; 1Sp2017 c 6 art 11 s 54