Scope of Practice, definitions and roles for Community Therapist Consultations

Learn about the process for community therapist consultations

Scope of Practice:

Seating Program therapists provide consultation to community therapists at the request of the community therapist through a referral process for from one to three consultation appointments with the community therapist and their client. If for any reason the referring community therapist's involvement with that client ends, the seating program community consultation for that community therapist and subsequently their client also ends. All consultation appointments occur at Parkwood lnstitute.

Definitions:

• Community consultation: A therapist from the community wishes input from a seating program therapist with their client. The community therapist is the case manager for that client's wheelchair and seating needs, and may choose to obtain assistance from the seating program for from one to three of those appointments with the client regarding their wheelchair/seating as part of their seating and wheelchair problem solving process.
• Community Therapist: Any OT or PT who is employed outside of Parkwood lnstitute, including other hospitals, long term care facilities, group homes, or clients’ homes.

Roles:

Referring Community Therapist’s Role

• The primary therapist and case manager for their client
• Present for all consultations
• Makes arrangements for the consult
• Documentation; family/patient contact; consent
• Obtains patient's/resident's vendor of choice
• Makes arrangements with vendor.

Seating Program Therapist's Role

• Provide consultation regarding seating and wheelchair needs
• Complete consultation report and forward to the community therapist
• Complete documentation at each subsequent consultation appointment and provide a copy to the referring community therapist
• Discuss plan with community therapist at each consultation and mutually determine need for further consultation from the seating program therapist