Questions and Answers correct
What is the legislative purpose of laws pertaining to the practice of physical therapy? -
answer Keep the public safe and to set minimum standards.
What is the definition of unlicensed personnel? What type of personnel are athletic
trainers, massage therapists and/or exercise physiologist based on this definition? What
type of supervision is required for unlicensed personnel? - answer Unlicensed
personnel, any individual working or volunteering in the setting who doesn't have a
license as a PT or a PTA. Exercise physiologist, athletic trainers, and massage
therapist. Direct supervision is required for the physical therapy setting for unlicensed
personnel.
How are general supervision and direct supervision defined? Is there any other term
used for these types of supervision? - answer General supervision: available by two-
way communication and in the same geographic location
Direct supervision: physically present and immediately available
Who may delegate, direct, or supervise the PTA or unlicensed support personnel in the
physical therapy setting? What types of activities may be delegated? How do these
requirements differ between the in-patient and out-patient setting? - answer The
physical therapist can supervise the PTA in a physical therapy setting. The PT can
decide what to delegate but has to be within the scope of practice of the PT and the
PTA. Cannot do evaluations but can-do examinations for progress. Can't determine
POC or goals. Inpatient: PTA would require direct supervision from the PT and in
outpatient: can have general supervision from the PT as long as the patient is not in the
acute phase of injury or illness. PTA can provide direct supervision to unlicensed
personnel in outpatient when patient is not in acute stage.
What patient-related duties can a PTA perform under the direction of a PT? Under what
specific circumstances is direct supervision of the PTA not required? - answer
Anything that the PT feels is appropriate and is within the scope of practice. Cannot
delegate the PTA to do something that they're not qualified to do. Direct supervision is
not required when the patient is not in the acute phase of treatment. PTA can be
employed by other health care practitioners. Example a chiropractor but still have to
have a PT on contract to provide direct supervision.
What type of supervision is required for physical therapy students? Who may supervise
the PT student? - answer PT students in the clinic are unlicensed personal, so they
would need direct supervision. A licensed PT can supervise PT students or PTA
students. PTA can only supervise PTA students. PTA can't do PT because its higher
than they're realm of skills and knowledge.