Occupational Therapy: Roles, Responsibilities, Legal & Ethical Practice

Flashcards defining core vocabulary terms, legal and ethical principles, practitioner roles, and workforce metrics from the OCCT 2550 lecture.

Autonomous Practitioner

An OT trained at the professional level who is accountable for every stage of service delivery, including evaluation, intervention planning, supervision, and legal practice.

Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)

A practitioner trained at the technical level who practices under the supervision of an OT and delivers services in collaboration, but cannot interpret evaluation data.

Service Competency

The determination that an OT and an OTA perform a skill in the same way or obtain the same results when delivering a service.

Morals

Standards related to character and behavior from the point of view of right and wrong, developing as a result of background, values, religious beliefs, and society.

Ethics

The study and philosophy of human conduct that guides how a person behaves and makes decisions so that the best of 'right' conduct is carried out.

Law

A binding custom or practice of a community defined as a rule of conduct enforced by a controlling authority.

AOTA Core Values

Eight aspirational targets (Advocacy, Altruism, Dignity, Equity, Freedom, Justice, Prudence, Truth) defining who occupational therapy practitioners strive to be.

AOTA Standards of Conduct

Enforceable, specific, and objective behaviors setting minimum practice standards where violations are sanctionable offenses.

Clinical Reasoning

The systematic process of understanding a client's diagnosis, strengths, weaknesses, prognosis, and goals to guide decision-making.

Beneficence

The AOTA guiding ethical principle requiring practitioners to act to promote the good health and welfare of the client.

Nonmaleficence

The AOTA guiding ethical principle requiring practitioners to avoid inflicting harm on clients and to maintain professional boundaries.

Autonomy

The AOTA guiding ethical principle requiring practitioners to protect the client's right to decide and their freedom to act.

Justice

The AOTA guiding ethical principle requiring practitioners to provide services fairly and equitably to all while following practice laws and policies.

Veracity

The AOTA guiding ethical principle requiring practitioners to tell the truth and refrain from exaggerated claims.

Fidelity

The AOTA guiding ethical principle requiring practitioners to treat clients, colleagues, and other professionals with respect, fairness, and integrity.

Ethical Distress

A situation in which a practitioner knows the right action to take, but an obstacle blocks them from taking it.

Ethical Dilemma

A problem where two or more ethical principles collide, meaning any chosen option requires sacrificing something.

Locus of Authority

An ethical dilemma centered on determining WHO holds the authority or right to make the decision.

AOTA Ethics Commission (EC)

The body responsible for ensuring compliance with the Code of Ethics and handling enforcement procedures for violations.

OT Workforce Snapshot (2025-2035 Projections)

Data indicating 169,600 employed OTs in the U.S., a median annual pay of $100,330, +15% projected job growth (~10,000 openings yearly), and Master's degree as standard entry-level education.