“Active License”- The license of a person who is acting, practicing, functioning and working in compliance with the requirements of a license.

“Approved Supervised Field Work Experience” - A period of supervised field work experience at an educational institution approved by the Department and where the occupational therapists or occupational therapy assistant's academic work was successfully completed or which was part of a training program approved by the educational institution. A minimum of 6 months of supervised field work experience will be required for an occupational therapist and a minimum of 2 months of supervised field work experience is required for an occupational therapy assistant.

“Association”- A recognized national or state association for occupational therapy.

“Basic Educational Program and Educational Program”:

• A program for the education of occupational therapists which is recognized by the Department and accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education of the American Occupational Therapy Association, the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, or predecessor organizations.
• A program for the education of occupational therapy assistants which is recognized by the Department and accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education of the American Occupational Therapy Association, the World Federation of Occupational Therapists or predecessor organizations.

“Board” - The Nebraska Board of Occupational Therapy Practice.

“Certification Examination”- The Nebraska Physical Agent Modalities Testing Service Examination administered by the Physical Agent Modalities Practitioner Credentialing Agency (PAMPCA).

“Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant” - A person who is certified pursuant to guidelines established by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).

“Consultation or in Association With” - Providing professional advice.

“Continuing Education”- Planned, organized learning activities designed to maintain, improve, or expand a licensee’s knowledge and skills in order for the licensee to develop new knowledge and skills relevant to the enhancement of practice, education, or theory development to improve the safety and welfare of the public.

“Continuing Education Activity”- The various methods in which a licensee can obtain the necessary continuing education for license renewal.

“Deep Thermal Agent Modalities” - Therapeutic ultrasound and phonophoresis. Deep thermal agent modalities does not include the use of diathermy or lasers.

“Electrotherapeutic Agent Modalities” - Neuromuscular electrical stimulation, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and iontophoresis. Electrotherapeutic agent modalities does not include the use of ultraviolet light.

“Hour as it Related to Continuing Education” - At least sixty (60) minutes of participation in an organized learning experience otherwise known as a contact hour.

• One academic semester hour is equal to fifteen (15) contact hours. An approved three credit hour course provides forty-five (45) contact hours of continuing education credit.
• One academic quarter hour is equal to ten (10) contact hours. An approved three (3) credit hour course would provide thirty (30) contact hours of continuing education credit.

“Laser”- A mechanism for emitting electromagnetic radiation using heat via the process of stimulated emission. This does not include a method where light is applied to tissue in order to influence cell or tissue functions with such low light that heating is negligible.

“Licensure Examination”- The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) Examination administered by the Professional Examination Service.

“Mechanical Devices” - Intermittent compression devices. Mechanical devices does not include devices to perform spinal traction.

“National Association”- The American Occupational Therapy Association or equivalent organization.

“Occupational Therapist” - A person holding a current license to practice occupational therapy.

“Occupational Therapy” - The use of purposeful activity with individuals who are limited by physical injury or illness, psychosocial dysfunction, developmental or learning disabilities, or the aging process in order to maximize independent function, prevent further disability, and achieve and maintain health and productivity.

“Occupational Therapy Aide” - A person who is not licensed under the Occupational Therapy Practice Act and who provides supportive services to occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants.

“Occupational Therapy Assistant” - A person holding a current license to assist in the practice of occupational therapy.

“Onsite”- The location where the occupational therapy assistant is providing occupational therapy services.

“Onsite Supervision”- The occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant must be physically present at the practice site to direct all actions when occupational therapy services are being provided.

“Physical Agent Modalities” - Modalities that produce a biophysiological response through the use of water, temperature, sound, electricity, or mechanical devices.

“Superficial Thermal Agent Modalities” - Hot packs, cold packs, ice, fluidotherapy, paraffin, water, and other commercially available superficial heating and cooling technologies.

“Supervision” - The process by which the quantity and quality of work of an occupational therapy assistant is monitored. Supervision means the directing of the authorized activities of an occupational therapy assistant by a licensed occupational therapist and will not be construed to require the physical presence of the supervisor when carrying out assigned duties.

“Treatment Plan” - A written statement setting forth the goals, method of treatment, and time frame for goal achievement.

Reference

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-2504 - 14