Question

An OTR is working at an inpatient rehabilitation facility and is responsible for supervising an experienced OTA and an OT Aide who has been trained by the facility. The OTR is responsible for delegating appropriate tasks to both of these professionals to complete while the OTR is at a conference and is unable to provide supervision. Which is the most appropriate and ethical way for the OTR to assign tasks?

a. Instruct the OTA to perform a ROM and MMT examination on a new client who is 2 weeks s/p R CVA while the OT Aide carefully documents the evaluation.
b. Provide the OTA with an ADL treatment session plan to implement with an established client and instruct the OT Aide to assist with sit-to-stand transfers as necessary.
c. Give the OTA the results of a completed Montreal Cognitive Assessment to analyze and supervise the OT Aide while they perform ROM exercises with a client.
d. Ask the OTA to create a client handout on assistive technologies for upper body dressing and send the OT Aide to a team meeting regarding the discharge of a client

Answer 1

The most appropriate and ethical way for the OTR to assign tasks is to delegate based on the professionals' skill sets and competencies. The OTA can create a client handout on assistive technologies for upper body dressing, while the OT aide can attend a team meeting regarding client discharge.

Step-by-step explanation:

When delegating tasks to the OTA and OT aide, the OTR should consider their skill sets and competencies, as well as the needs of the facility and clients. In this scenario, it would be appropriate for the OTR to ask the OTA to create a client handout on assistive technologies for upper body dressing. This task aligns with the OTA's expertise and can contribute to client education and independence. On the other hand, it would be more appropriate for the OT aide to attend the team meeting regarding the discharge of a client.

This task requires collaboration, communication, and an understanding of the discharge process, which are all within the OT aide's scope of practice and training. By assigning tasks that are within the professionals' abilities and align with their roles, the OTR ensures safe and effective delegation.