Board of Occupational Therapy
POLICY ON SUPERVISION
DURING DECLARED STATES OF EMERGENCY
November 12, 2020: This policy has been extended until July 1, 2021.
July 10, 2020
The Board re-adopted this policy and it will remain in effect the end of the declared emergency or December 31, 2020.
April 29, 2020
The Board has received questions from occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants regarding whether the Board would authorize remote supervision through a live audio and video connection during the declared state of emergency relating to the virus which causes COVID-19. The Board has not previously addressed whether supervision, required under Chapter 3, Sections 2 and 3 of the Board’s rules for occupational therapy assistants and limited licensees, may be accomplished remotely through a live audio and video connection. The Board’s rules do not specifically authorize remote supervision. However, they do not specifically prohibit it.
Under the present circumstances, and in order to carry out the spirit of the Governor’s executive orders and federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines related to social distancing, supervisors may use live audio and video connections to supervise occupational therapy assistants and limited licensees. It shall not be grounds for discipline that a supervisor, occupational therapy assistant, or limited licensee used a live audio and video connection to supervise or be supervised.
The Board does not intend, by this policy, to definitively resolve whether remote supervision is permissible under its rules, but rather intends to allow limited licensees and occupational therapist assistants to practice during the declared state of emergency.
This policy shall remain in effect until July 1, 2020, or when the Governor of the State of Wyoming lifts the declared state of emergency related to the spread of COVID-19, whichever comes first. The Board may re-adopt this policy as necessary.
Practice Act
(also called the STATUTE)
W.S. § 33-40-101 Through §33-40-117
In regards to supervision of an occupational therapy assistant (OTA or COTA). Supervision is dependent on the level of experience an OTA or COTA is classified. For definitions and the frequency of supervision refer to the Rules & Regulations, Chapter 1, Section 3. Definitions (f) Close Supervision - daily, (i) General Supervision - monthly and (n) Routine Supervision - bi-weekly. The supervision log must be filled out accordingly, however if your facility requires more face-to-face supervision you may also report that on the supervision log.
This applies to both full-time and part-time occupational therapy assistants.
dry needling.pdf