Supervision

Supervision is a cooperative process in which two or more people participate in a joint effort to establish, maintain, and or elevate a level of competence and performance. Supervision is based on mutual understanding between the supervisor and the supervisee about each other’s competence, experience, education, and credentials. It fosters growth and development, promotes effective utilization of resources, encourages creativity and innovation, and provides education and support to achieve a goal (AOTA, 2004). Within the scope of occupational therapy practice, supervision is a processaimed at ensuring the safe and effective delivery of occupational therapy services and fostering professional competence and development. The practicing occupational therapist is in the role as supervisor to the occupational therapy assistants and the aids who help in the delivery of the intervention with the clients.

Supervision is provided throughout the occupational therapy profession as means of ensuring services are delivered both safely and effectively. “Occupational therapists are encouraged to seek supervision and mentoring to develop best practice approaches and promote professional growth”(AOTA, 2004,p.663).