Final answer:
The appropriate action is for the rehab director to contact the state licensing agency to confirm the OTA's licensure status. An expired license must be renewed before the OTA can legally continue working.
Step-by-step explanation:
The situation described involves an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) working at a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) with an expired license. The correct course of action for the rehab director would be to contact the state licensing agency. It is the agency's responsibility to oversee the licensing of healthcare professionals and verify whether there has been a lapse, renewal, or any other status change in a licensee's qualifications. While it is professional to ask the OTA if they are aware of their responsibility and whether they have renewed their license, the director should still verify the OTA's licensure status with the state to ensure compliance with legal and professional standards for practice.
Should the OTA's license have indeed expired, it is paramount that they cease providing care immediately until their license undergoes successful renewal to avoid legal and ethical ramifications for both the OTA and the facility. In this case, the OTA may be subject to disciplinary actions and the facility could face negative consequences as well. Contacting the national board, such as the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), or the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) is secondary as these organizations are more focused on certification and professional practice guidelines, respectively, not the licensure status.
The rehab director should contact the state licensing agency to verify the OTA's licensure status and ensure compliance with the legal requirements for practicing. It is the state agency's domain to maintain accurate and up-to-date information on the licensure status of healthcare providers.