Code of Massachusetts Regulations
259 CMR - BOARD OF REGISTRATION OF ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
Title 259 CMR 3.00 - Occupational therapists
Section 3.01 - Definitions

AOTA. American Occupational Therapy Association.

Approved/Accredited Educational Program. An occupational therapy educational program currently accredited by AOTA's Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.

Assessment. An assessment is a standardized or non-standardized tool or instrument used in the evaluation process.

Client. A client is the entity receiving occupational therapy services. Clients may include:

(a) individuals and other persons relevant to an individual's life, including family, caregivers, teachers, employers, and others who also may help or be served indirectly;

(b) organizations such as businesses, industries or agencies; and

(c) populations within a community.

Evaluation. The process of obtaining and interpreting data necessary for an intervention, including planning for and documenting the evaluation process and results.

Examination. The examination currently administered by the NBCOT.

Intervention Plan. An outline of selected approaches and types of interventions, based on the results of the evaluation process and developed to reach the client's identified targeted outcomes.

NBCOT. National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. is the national, non-governmental credentialing agency certifying qualified persons as occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants.

Occupational Therapy Aide. An occupational therapy aide is an individual who provides supportive services to the occupational therapist and the occupational therapy assistant. Occupational therapy aides do not provide skilled occupational therapy services. An occupational therapy aide is trained by an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant to perform specifically delegated tasks. The occupational therapist is responsible for the overall use and actions of the occupational therapy aide. An occupational therapy aide must first demonstrate competency to be able to perform any assigned, delegated client or non-client tasks.

Occupational Therapy Service Delivery Process. The process of evaluation, intervention planning, intervention implementation, intervention review, and outcome evaluation for a client.

Screening. An initial brief assessment to determine the need for occupational therapy evaluation and intervention, consisting of record review, observation, and consultation.

Service Competency. Demonstration of specific knowledge and skills to permit safe and competent delivery of occupational therapy services.

Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. The Standards of Practice for Occupational Therapy and Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics published by the AOTA, as the same may be amended and republished.