Is supervision needed for assessments if I haven’t done the training?

Question:

Some OTs undertake ACLS assessments without having completed the training, doing so under the supervision of other Occupational Therapists who have completed the training until they can book in to be trained.

I assume you would prefer that staff complete the training before administering the assessment. Can you provide advice on this?

Response:

The ACLS-5 manual states (Page 5) that you can:

“administer, score, verify and interpret the ACLS if it is within your scope of practice. You need to be familiar with the rationale and use of the 3 forms of the ACLS, trained or MENTORED in the CDM and the administration, scoring, verification, interpretation and reporting of it, and have experience working with persons with temporary or permanent cognitive disabilities/impairments.”

In other words it is fine for your OTs to use the ACLS-5 under the supervision of a competent staff member. The training is necessary if you don't have a mentor and useful if you do. I find that people who have used the ACDM under supervision get a lot more out of the training.