65-5402. Definitions. As used in K.S.A. 65-5401 to 65-5417, inclusive, and K.S.A. 65-5418 to 65-5420, inclusive, and amendments thereto:

(a) "Board" means the state board of healing arts.

(b) "Practice of occupational therapy" means the therapeutic use of purposeful and meaningful occupations (goal-directed activities) to evaluate and treat, pursuant to the referral, supervision, order or direction of a physician, a licensed podiatrist, a licensed dentist, a licensed physician assistant, or a licensed advanced practice registered nurse working pursuant to the order or direction of a person licensed to practice medicine and surgery, a licensed chiropractor, or a licensed optometrist, individuals who have a disease or disorder, impairment, activity limitation or participation restriction that interferes with their ability to function independently in daily life roles and to promote health and wellness. Occupational therapy intervention may include:

(1) Remediation or restoration of performance abilities that are limited due to impairment in biological, physiological, psychological or neurological cognitive processes;

(2) adaptation of tasks, process, or the environment or the teaching of compensatory techniques in order to enhance performance;

(3) disability prevention methods and techniques that facilitate the development or safe application of performance skills; and

(4) health promotion strategies and practices that enhance performance abilities.

(c) "Occupational therapy services" include, but are not limited to:

(1) Evaluating, developing, improving, sustaining, or restoring skills in activities of daily living (ADL), work or productive activities, including instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and play and leisure activities;

(2) evaluating, developing, remediating, or restoring sensorimotor, cognitive or psychosocial components of performance;

(3) designing, fabricating, applying, or training in the use of assistive technology or orthotic devices and training in the use of prosthetic devices;

(4) adapting environments and processes, including the application of ergonomic principles, to enhance performance and safety in daily life roles;

(5) applying physical agent modalities as an adjunct to or in preparation for engagement in occupations;

(6) evaluating and providing intervention in collaboration with the client, family, caregiver or others;

(7) educating the client, family, caregiver or others in carrying out appropriate nonskilled interventions; and

(8) consulting with groups, programs, organizations or communities to provide population-based services.

(d) "Occupational therapist" means a person licensed to practice occupational therapy as defined in this act.

(e) "Occupational therapy assistant" means a person licensed to assist in the practice of occupational therapy under the supervision of an occupational therapist.

(f) "Person" means any individual, partnership, unincorporated organization or corporation.

(g) "Physician" means a person licensed to practice medicine and surgery.

(h) "Occupational therapy aide," "occupational therapy tech" or "occupational therapy paraprofessional" means a person who provides supportive services to occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants in accordance with K.S.A. 65-5419, and amendments thereto.

History: L. 1986, ch. 323, § 2; L. 2002, ch. 203, § 4; L. 2005, ch. 117, § 2; L. 2011, ch. 114, § 58; Jan. 1, 2012.