§ 3351. Definitions

As used in this chapter:

(1) “Occupational therapist” means a person who is licensed to practice occupational therapy under this chapter.

(2) “Occupational therapy assistant” means a person who is licensed to assist in the practice of occupational therapy under the supervision of an occupational therapist.

(3) “Director” means the Director of the Office of Professional Regulation.

(4) “Disciplinary action” includes any action taken by the Director or by an administrative law officer established by 3 V.S.A. § 129(j) against an occupational therapist, occupational therapy assistant, or applicant premised on a finding that the occupational therapist, occupational therapy assistant, or applicant has engaged in unprofessional conduct. The term includes all sanctions of any kind, refusing to grant or renew licensure, suspending or revoking licensure, and issuing warnings.

(5) “Occupational therapy practice” means the therapeutic use of purposeful and meaningful occupations (goal-directed activities) to evaluate and treat individuals who have a disease or disorder, impairment, activity limitation, or participation restriction that interferes with their ability to function independently in daily life roles, and to promote health and wellness. Occupational therapy intervention may include:

(A) remediation or restoration of performance abilities that are limited due to impairment in biological, physiological, psychological, or neurological processes;

(B) adaptation of task, process, or the environment, or the teaching of compensatory techniques, in order to enhance performance;

(C) disability prevention methods and techniques that facilitate the development of safe application of performance skills;

(D) health promotion strategies and practices that enhance performance abilities.

(6) “Occupational therapy services” include:

(A) evaluating, developing, improving, sustaining, or restoring skills in activities of daily living, work, or productive activities, including instrumental activities of daily living, and play and leisure activities;

(B) evaluating, developing, remediating, or restoring sensorimotor, cognitive, or psychosocial components of performance;

(C) designing, fabricating, applying, or training in the use of assistive technology or orthotic devices, and training in the use of prosthetic devices;

(D) adaptation of environments and processes, including the application of ergonomic principles, to enhance performance and safety in daily life roles;

(E) application of physical agent modalities as an adjunct to or in preparation for engagement in occupations;

(F) evaluating and providing intervention in collaboration with the individual receiving treatment, family, caregiver, or others;

(G) educating the individual receiving treatment, family, caregiver, or others in carrying out appropriate nonskilled interventions; and

(H) consulting with groups, programs, organizations, or communities to provide population-based services. (Added 1993, No. 102, § 1; amended 1997, No. 40, § 49(a); amended 2001, No. 151 (Adj. Sess.), § 33, eff. June 27, 2002; 2013, No. 96 (Adj. Sess.), § 180.)