Nevada OT Jurisprudence flashcards

35 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Occupational therapy definition

The therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations) with clients whose conditions limit participation, including evaluation, intervention planning, intervention, and review of outcomes.

OT vs OTA scope

The OT evaluates, interprets findings, and designs and modifies the plan of care; the OTA delivers intervention under OT supervision and cannot independently evaluate or change the plan.

Occupational therapy aide

Unlicensed assistive personnel who performs only delegated, non-skilled tasks under supervision and may not evaluate, treat independently, or apply skilled modalities.

Client-centered evaluation

An evaluation that identifies the client's goals, roles, habits, routines, and contexts, and measures performance in occupations rather than focusing on diagnosis alone.

Areas of occupation

ADLs, instrumental ADLs, rest and sleep, education, work, play, leisure, and social participation, which are the activities OT intervention targets.

Title protection

Nevada law prohibits using OT, OTA, or related titles and abbreviations without a current Nevada license, regardless of certification status.

Out-of-scope activities

Medical diagnosis, prescribing medication, surgery, and independent psychological diagnosis are outside OT scope; screening findings must be referred for diagnostic evaluation.

Nevada licensure requirements

Graduation from an accredited program, required fieldwork, passing the NBCOT exam, application and fees, and a fingerprint-based criminal background check before licensure.

Certification vs licensure

NBCOT certification does not authorize practice; only a license issued by the Nevada Board permits an OT or OTA to treat clients in the state.

OTA supervision elements

Supervision requires observation, guidance, documentation review, and availability for consultation by a Nevada-licensed OT responsible for the plan of care.

Supervision frequency factors

The amount and type of supervision depend on client acuity, the OTA's competence and experience, the setting, and Board regulations, and must be documented.

Delegation to aides

The supervising OT remains responsible for tasks delegated to aides, which must be non-skilled and must not include evaluation, intervention, or modalities.

Student fieldwork supervision

Students must be supervised by a licensed OT (or OTA for OTA students) at the level required by the academic program and Board regulations.

Licensure by endorsement

Out-of-state licensees apply with verification of licensure, exam scores, and education; Nevada is not a member of the OT licensure compact.

Plan of care ownership

The OT establishes and revises the plan of care, including goals, approaches, frequency, duration, and discharge criteria; the OTA implements it.

Documentation standards

Records must be timely, accurate, dated, signed with credentials, and describe skilled services, client response, progress, and reasons for modification or discharge.

Objective documentation

Notes report measurable data such as standardized scores, observed performance, assistance levels, and goal attainment rather than vague evaluative statements.

Informed consent

Before evaluation and intervention, the client or representative must understand purpose, risks, benefits, alternatives, and the right to refuse or withdraw.

Discharge planning

Planning that begins at evaluation and includes education, home programs, equipment recommendations, and referral when needs exceed OT scope.

Record ownership and access

Facilities own the record, but clients have rights of access under law; disclosure requires authorization or a legal requirement.

Ethical principles

Beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, justice, veracity, and fidelity guide decisions; conflicts require acting in the client's interest and documenting reasoning.

Boundary violations

Sexual or romantic relationships with current clients, family members, or supervisees are prohibited; other dual relationships must be avoided or managed and disclosed.

Conflict of interest

Gifts of substantial value, referral fees, and financial interests in equipment recommended to clients must be avoided or fully disclosed.

Competence limits

Licensees practice only within their education, training, and experience and obtain additional training or refer when an intervention is unfamiliar.

Impaired practice duty

A licensee whose substance use, illness, or fatigue impairs judgment must withdraw from client care and seek assistance; continuing to practice is unprofessional conduct.

Board disciplinary authority

The Board may investigate complaints, subpoena records, hold hearings, and impose reprimand, probation, suspension, revocation, or civil penalties.

Disciplinary grounds

Unprofessional conduct, incompetence, practicing beyond scope, licensure fraud, impairment, and failure to cooperate with Board investigations can each support discipline.

Imminent risk suspension

The Board may summarily suspend a license when continued practice poses an imminent risk to public health and safety, subject to due process.

Unlicensed practice

Practicing or aiding unlicensed practice violates Nevada law; licensees must verify that supervised staff hold current licenses.

Confidentiality limits

Protected health information is released only with authorization or as legally required, using minimum necessary disclosure; clients must be told these limits at intake.

Vulnerable adult reporting

Licensees must report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, or isolation of older or vulnerable adults to the appropriate state agency within the required timeframe.

Child abuse reporting

Suspected child abuse or neglect must be reported to child protective services or law enforcement; internal reporting alone does not satisfy the legal duty.

Biennial renewal and CE

Nevada OT and OTA licenses renew every two years with Board-required continuing education, fees, and attestation; certificates must be retained for audit.

Expired license practice

Practicing on an expired license is unlicensed practice even if renewal is later completed; late renewal may require fees and CE evidence.

Inactive status

Inactive or retired status may be available but prohibits practice; reactivation typically requires fees, continuing education, and possibly a background check.