N.D. Cent. Code § 43-40-01 Definitions
43-40-01. Definitions
As used in this chapter, unless the context or subject matter otherwise requires:
1. "Board" means the board of occupational therapy practice.
2. "Occupational therapist" means a person licensed to practice occupational therapy
under this chapter.
3. "Occupational therapy aide" means an unlicensed person who assists in the practice
of occupational therapy under the direct supervision of an occupational therapist or
occupational therapy assistant in accordance with rules adopted by the board.
4. "Occupational therapy assistant" means a person licensed to assist in the practice of
occupational therapy, under this chapter, who works under the supervision of an
occupational therapist.
5. "Occupational therapy practice" means the use of occupation and purposeful activity
or intervention designed to achieve functional outcomes that promote health, prevent
injury or disability, and which develop, improve, sustain, or restore the highest possible
level of independence of any individual who has an injury, illness, cognitive
impairment, psychosocial dysfunction, mental illness, developmental or learning
disability, physical disability or other disorder or condition, and occupational therapy
education. Occupational therapy encompasses evaluation, treatment, consultation,
research, and education. Occupational therapy practice includes evaluation by skilled
observation, administration, and interpretation of standardized and nonstandardized
tests and measurements. The occupational therapy practitioner designs and
implements interventions directed toward developing, improving, sustaining, and
restoring sensorimotor, neuromuscular, emotional, cognitive, or psychosocial
performance components. Interventions include activities that contribute to optimal
occupational performance including self-care; daily living skills; skills essential for
productivity, functional communication and mobility; positioning; social integration;
cognitive mechanisms; enhancing play and leisure skills; and the design, provision,
and training in the use of assistive technology, devices, orthotics, or prosthetics or
environmental adaptations to accommodate for loss of occupational performance.
Therapy may be provided individually or in groups to prevent secondary conditions,
promote community integration, and support the individual's health and well-being
within the social and cultural contexts of the individual's natural environment.
6. "Occupational therapy student" is a person enrolled in an accredited occupational
therapy education program.