“Aide Consultation”- Providing advice, resource information, and/or therapy demonstrations to an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant licensed in the State of Georgia, provided that any final decisions involving patient care shall be made by the Georgia licensee.

“Assistant Consultation”- Periodic meetings between the licensed occupational therapist and the occupational therapy assistant to review and to provide recommendations and resource information regarding methods of implementation of the occupational therapy programs.

“Board” - The Georgia Board of Occupational Therapy.

“Computation of Supervised Fieldwork Experience” - The Board defines four weeks as equal to one month to compute time for determining compliance with the fieldwork requirement.

“Direct Supervision”- Daily on-site, close contact whereby the supervisor is able to respond quickly to the needs of the client or supervisee. It requires specific delineation of task and responsibilities by a licensed Occupational Therapist and shall include the responsibility for personally reviewing and interpreting the result of any habilitative or rehabilitative procedures conducted by the supervisee. It is the responsibility of the licensed occupational therapist to ensure that the supervisee does not perform duties for which he/she is not trained.

“License” - A valid and current certificate of registration issued by the division director.

“National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)” - A national organization that administers a national certification examination for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants.

“Occupations” - Activities of daily living in which people engage.

“Occupational Therapist” - A person licensed to practice occupational therapy and whose license is in good standing in Georgia.

“Occupational Therapy” - The therapeutic use of occupations with individuals, groups, populations, or organizations to support participation, performance, and function in life roles. Occupational therapy is provided for habilitation, rehabilitation, and the promotion of health and wellness to those who have or are at risk for developing activity limitation or participation restriction. Occupational therapy addresses the physical, cognitive, psychosocial, sensory‐ perceptual, and other aspects of performance in a variety of contexts and environments to support engagement in occupations promoting health, well‐being, and quality of life. The practice of occupational therapy, including that which may be provided through telehealth.

“Occupational Therapy Aide” - An unlicensed person who provides supportive services to the occupational therapist and the occupational therapy assistant under the direct supervision of the occupational therapist or the occupational therapist assistant.

“Occupational Therapy Assistant” - A person licensed to assist the occupational therapist in the practice of occupational therapy under the supervision of or with the consultation of the licensed occupational therapist and whose license is in good standing.

“Occupational Therapy Practitioner” - A licensed occupational therapist or licensed occupational therapy assistant.

“Orthotic” or “orthotic device” - A rigid or semi‐rigid device or splint used to support aweak or deformed body part. An orthotic may be used to restrict, eliminate, or enhance motion; to support a healing body part; or to substitute for lost function or motion and can be custom fabricated, custom fitted, or prefabricated.

“Person” - A natural person only, not a legal entity.

“Physical Agent Modalities” - Occupational therapy treatment techniques, both superficial and deep tissue, which may, but are not required to utilize the following agents: thermal, mechanical, electromagnetic, water, and light for a specific therapeutic effect to promote functional outcomes.

“Supervision” - Personal involvement of the licensed occupational therapist in the supervisee's professional experience which includes evaluation of his or her performance. Further, supervision shall mean personal supervision with weekly verbal contact and consultation, monthly review of patient care documentation, and specific delineation of tasks and responsibilities by the licensed occupational therapist and shall include the responsibility for personally reviewing and interpreting the results of any habilitative or rehabilitative procedures conducted by the supervisee.

“Telehealth” - The application of evaluative, consultative, preventative, and therapeutic services delivered through telecommunication and information technologies by licensed occupational therapy practitioners. This may include, but shall not be limited to, telemedicine, telepractice, telecare, telerehabilitation, and e‐health services.

Reference

O.C.G.A. § 43‐28‐3

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 671-2