New York State Practice Act, Essay Example

As defined by NYSed.gov (2012), an occupational therapists is a licensed rehabilitation care professional that tries to help restore or improve a patient’s “physical abilities, promote behavioral changes, adapt surroundings, and teach new skills” following a life-changing event and it is the duty of the occupational therapy assistant to provide supportive collaborative care according to the plan established by a physician or qualified therapist. The recent changes to the New York State Practice Act will have significant ramifications regarding how the practice of Occupational Therapy (OT) is conducted in the state of New York, as well as how other aspects like reimbursement, demand for service, educational institutions, and supervision are handled. These recent amendments to the regulations affect §§76.4-76.9 and includes additions as well as deletions to the current standards. The changes to §76.4 includes additions and clarification regarding supervision, §§76.5 and 76.6 have been repealed with §76.7 replacing the former §76.5 and new additions designated §76.6, §76.7, §76.8, and §76.9. These additions clarify the job description of the occupational therapy assistant, requirements for authorization as an OT, student exemptions, and numerous other details.

I agree with the substantial changes made to Part 76 of the Commissioner’s Regulations regarding the occupational therapy assistant because it defines the terms of limited permits and provides clarity regarding the parameters of acceptable supervision and the guidelines supervisors must abide by in order to remain in compliance with these terms when providing direct supervision. The changes proposed also details the job description of an OT assistant, what the assistant must do to obtain the proper documentation to legally practice, and removes former ambiguities within the regulatory doctrine.

References

New York State Occupational Therapy Association (NYSOTA). (2012, February 16). New OT regulations adopted. Retrieved from http://www.nysota.org/node/504

NYSed.gov. (2012, February 16). Occupational therapy. Office of the Professions. Retrieved from http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/ot/