IPE OT/OTA collaboration

• Guidelines for supervision, roles, and responsibilities


  OT ultimately responsible for implementation of appropriate supervision, but OTA also has responsibility to seek and obtain appropriate supervision
• Evaluation

  • OT directs and develops intervention plan; interprets info
  • OTA can implement delegated assessments
• intervention planning

  • OT has overall responsibility
  • OT and OTA collab
• intervention implementation and review

  • OT responsible for supervision and determination
• OT aides


  help OTs and OTAs
• OTA

  • associate or bachelor's in OT
  • ACOTE accredited
  • work together with OT but OT is in charge
• delegation

  • OT must consider OTA's service competency and complexity of client and intervention
  • OTA cannot independently decide to discontinue treatment
• OTA supervision

  • at least min supervision must be met
  • direct: OT is in immediate area
  • close: daily, direct contact
  • routine: regular face-to-face
  • general: OT available by phone or written communication; face-to-face at intervals
  • indirect: not in person
• OT and OTA both responsible for...

  • supervision documentation
  • fostering a collaborative supervisory relationship
  • adhering to state regulations
• 10 tips to building a strong OT/OTA relationship

  1. use AOTA documents as resource to grow in understanding of relationship
  2. understand state laws
  3. understand that it is a 2-way street
  4. put that ego down
  5. embrace strengths and weaknesses
  6. be honest
  7. always be appreciative
  8. communication is key
  9. don't be possessive
  10. celebrate you love of this amazing profession