02-393 C.M.R. ch. 4, § 2 - Supervision of Physical Therapy Aides

A. A "physical therapy aide" is a person neither licensed or certified who is specifically trained on-site under the direct supervision of a physical therapist to perform designated routine tasks related to the operation of a physical therapy service. The physical therapy aide, when providing direct services to patients, may function only with the continuous on-site supervision of the physical therapist or the physical therapist assistant. The physical therapist or the physical therapist assistant must be present in the same building and be immediately available to the physical therapy aide.

B. A "physical therapist of record" is the person who is directly responsible for the actions of the physical therapy aide. The extent to which the physical therapy aide participates in operational activities, including maintenance and transportation and in patient-related activities, will be dependent upon the discretion of the physical therapist and training of the physical therapy aide.

C. The physical therapy aide shall not:

1. Interpret referrals;

2. Perform evaluation procedures;

3. Initiate or adjust treatment programs; or

4. Assume responsibility for planning patient care.

The fact that a particular task is not prohibited in this section does not necessarily imply that the task is permitted.

D. Physical therapy aides may only document subjective reports by patients and actual treatment given to the patient. The physical therapy aide may not document a patient's assessment or a patient's plan. All documentation must be cosigned by a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant.

Notes

02-393 C.M.R. ch. 4, § 2