Standards of Practice

Preface

These standards will assist practicing Occupational Therapists in evaluating their efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of Occupational Therapy services. They serve as a minimum standard of Occupational Therapy practice, as expected of a basic grade therapist. They are not intended to restrict development of higher departmental or individual competencies.

STANDARD I: ASSESSMENT

The Occupational Therapist shall:

1. Identify suitable patients or clients with needs in the following areas for Occupational Therapy intervention

   a. Occupational Performance: Self-care, work, play, leisure

   b. Performance Components: cognitive, sensorimotor, psychosocial

   c. Environmental Adaptations: therapeutic aids and appliances, home or work modifications

2. Select appropriate assessment tools, standardised or non-standardised, to determine patients’ or clients’ status.

3. Document the history, findings and the assessment results in an approved format.

4. Refer patients or clients to other professionals or services, if indicated, for alternative interventions.

STANDARD II: TREATMENT PLANNING

The Occupational Therapist shall:

1. Identify short and long term goals.

2. Discuss with the patient or client, his/her family and other professional team members in the planning of realistic goals.

3. Establish measurable objectives appropriate to the client’s or patient’s needs and prognosis.

4. Ensure that treatment programme is consistent with current principles and concepts of Occupational Therapy practice.

STANDARD III: IMPLEMENTATION OF TREATMENT PLAN

The Occupational Therapist shall:

1. Implement treatment according to the goals and objectives defined and within the time frame specified.

2. Plan for ongoing review of treatment programme to ensure therapeutic value.

3. Ensure treatment is without detriment to the client’s or patient’s condition.

STANDARD IV: DISCHARGE PLANNING

The Occupational Therapist shall:

1. Discontinue therapy when, in his/her opinion, the client or patient has achieved the specified goals or derived maximum benefit from the programme.

2. Document the discharge status of the client or patient, stating the outcome objectives achieved.

3. Prepare discharge plan with patient or client, his/her family and other professional team members.

4. Organise referrals for ongoing management of the client or patient by other professionals and community agencies if considered necessary.

STANDARD V: QUALITY ASSURANCE

The Occupational Therapist shall:

1. Review periodically, as an individual, or in consultation with the superior, programmes/services to ensure that they reflect professional consensus and recent developments in research and theory.

2. Attain the minimum Continuing Occupational Therapy Education (COTE) points as recommended by the Singapore Association of Occupational Therapists (SAOT) to keep abreast with the latest developments in Occupational Therapy practice.

STANDARD VI: LEGAL/ETHICAL COMPONENTS

The Occupational Therapist shall:

1. Observe ethical practices of the specific organisation or system in which the services are provided.

2. Observe the code of ethics as defined by the Singapore Association of Occupational Therapist.

3. Abide by any State laws and regulations which have relevance to Occupational Therapy practice.