Pennsylvania Statutes Title 63 P.S. Professions and Occupations (State Licensed) § 1503. Definitions

The following words and phrases when used in this act shall have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them in this section:

“Board.” The State Board of Occupational Therapy Education and Licensure established in accordance with this act.

“Commissioner.” The Commissioner of the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs in the Department of State.

“Foreign applicant.”Any person seeking licensure under this act whose professional training has taken place outside the United States, its territories, the District of Columbia or Canada.

“Healing arts.”The science and skill of diagnosis and treatment of disease or any ailment of the human body.

“Occupational therapist.”A person who is licensed to practice occupational therapy pursuant to this act and who offers such services to the public under any title incorporating the words “occupational therapy,” “occupational therapist” or any similar title or description of occupational therapy services.

“Occupational therapy.” The evaluation of learning and performance skills and the analysis, selection and adaptation of activities for an individual whose abilities to cope with the activities of daily living, to perform tasks normally performed at a given stage of development and to perform essential vocational tasks which are threatened or impaired by that person's developmental deficiencies, aging process, environmental deprivation or physical, psychological, injury or illness, through specific techniques which include:

(1) Planning and implementing activity programs to improve sensory and motor functioning at the level of performance normal for the individual's stage of development.

(2) Teaching skills, behaviors and attitudes crucial to the individual's independent, productive and satisfying social functioning.

(3) The design, fabrication and application of orthotics to enhance performance in occupations, not to include prosthetic devices, and the adaptation of equipment necessary to assist patients in adjusting to a potential or actual impairment and instructing in the use of such devices and equipment.

(4) Analyzing, selecting and adapting activities to maintain the individual's optimal performance of tasks to prevent disability.

“Occupational therapy assistant.”A person licensed to assist in the practice of occupational therapy, under the supervision of an occupational therapist.

“Person.” An individual, partnership, unincorporated organization or corporate body.