Notice of scope of practice and related qualifications prescribed by the Occupational Therapy Board of NZ
Pursuant to Part 2, section 11(1) of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (HPCAA), the following notice is given. This notice sets out the scope of practice for occupational therapists as determined by the OTBNZ under the HPCAA from the commencement of Part 2, section 11 (1) on 18 September 2004.
Title and commencement
- This notice may be cited as the Occupational Therapy Board (Scope of Practice) Notice 2004.
- This notice comes into force on 18 September 2004.
General Scope of Practice: Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapists are registered health professionals, who use processes of enabling occupation to optimise human activity and participation in all life domains across the lifespan, and thus promote the health and well-being of individuals, groups, and communities. These life domains include: learning and applying knowledge; general tasks and demands; communication; mobility; self-care; domestic life; interpersonal interaction and relationships; major life areas; and community, social and civic life.
Enabling occupation incorporates the application of knowledge, principles, methods and procedures related to understanding, predicting, ameliorating or influencing peoples' participation in occupations within these life domains. Such practice is evidence-based*, undertaken in accordance with the Occupational Therapy Board's prescribed Competencies and Code of Ethics, and within the individual therapist's area and level of expertise.
Qualifications for the General Scope of Practice: Occupational Therapist
In order to practise within the General Scope of Practise: Occupational Therapist, the person will have a minimum of a bachelors degree in occupational therapy from an accredited educational institution, or qualifications and experience assessed by the Board as equivalent.
Dated at Wellington this 19th day of August 2004
JEANETTE SCHLEMMER, Registrar, Occupational Therapy Board
* Evidence based practice utilises clients' knowledge of their occupational concerns and circumstances, insights drawn from experience and reflection, and critical appraisal of best available evidence drawn from research, experts and theory to inform practice decisions.