The Board proposes the change to the rule to expand the locations where an occupational therapist student or occupational therapist assistant can obtain supervised fieldwork.

 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Board of Occupational Therapy

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

64B11-2.011Definition of Supervised Fieldwork Experience

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Board proposes the change to the rule to expand the locations where an occupational therapist student or occupational therapist assistant can obtain supervised fieldwork.

SUMMARY: The proposed rule amendments update the rule language regarding the definition of supervised fieldwork experience.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: uring discussion of the economic impact of this rule at its Board meeting, the Board concluded that this rule change will not have any impact on licensees and their businesses or the businesses that employ them. The rule will not increase any fees, business costs, personnel costs, will not decrease profit opportunities, and will not require any specialized knowledge to comply. This change will not increase any direct or indirect regulatory costs. Hence, the Board determined that a Statement of Estimated Regulatory Costs (SERC) was not necessary and that the rule will not require ratification by the Legislature. No person or interested party submitted additional information regarding the economic impact at that time.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 468.204 FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 468.209 FS.

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN THE FAR.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Allen Hall, Executive Director, Board of Occupational Therapy/MQA, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin # C05, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3253.

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

64B11-2.011 Definition of Supervised Fieldwork Experience.

Supervision, for purposes of this rule, shall mean that the occupational therapist student or occupational therapy assistant student has daily direct contact at the worksite with his or her supervisor or designee. The term “supervised fieldwork experience,” as provided for in Section 468.209(1)(c), F.S., shall mean:

(1) For an occupational therapy student, experience at an occupational therapist level for a minimum of 6 months occuring in a clinical setting affiliated with an educational institution in occupational therapy for a minimum of 6 months, with the fieldwork experience supervised by a licensed occupational therapist.

(2) For an occupational therapy assistant student, experience at an occupational therapy assistant level for a minimum of 2 months occuring in a clinical setting affiliated with an educational institution in occupational therapy for a minimum of 2 months, with the fieldwork experience supervised by a licensed occupational therapist or by a licensed occupational therapy assistant under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist.

(3) For a fieldwork experience occuring where no occupational therapy services exist, the following requirements must be met:

(a) A documented plan for provision of occupational therapy services and supervision.

(b) A minimum of eight (8) hours of direct supervison weekly by a licensed occupational therapist.

1. Direct supervision shall initially be on-site. The demands of the fieldwork site, ablilties of the student, and the safety and protection of the client must be considered before supervision can transition to fewer on-site hours.

2.  Direct supervision can occur via a variety of contact measures and methods, if  two-way communication in real time is avaiable.

3. Supervision must provide opportunites for appropriate role modeling of occupational therapy practice.

(c) The occupational therapist supervisor must maintain regular formal and informal communication with the student, and be available for contact during working hours.

(d) An onsite supervisor designee of another profession that is familiar with the role of occupational therapy must be assigned while the occupational therapy supervisor is off site.

Rulemaking Authority 468.204 FS. Law Implemented 468.209 FS. History–New 12-4-95, Amended 12-11-96, Formerly 59R-61.015, Amended 6-6-07, 10-24-07, 2-1-16. ______________.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Board of Occupational Therapy

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Board of Occupational Therapy

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: May 20, 2024

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: October 2, 2023