When a physical therapist delegates patient care
responsibilities to physical therapist assistants, the physical therapist holds
responsibility for supervision of the physical therapy program. Physical
therapists shall not delegate to a less qualified person any activity that
requires the unique skills, knowledge, and judgment of the physical therapist.
The primary responsibility for physical therapy care rests with the supervising
physical therapist.
1. Adequate
supervision requires, at a minimum, that the supervising physical therapist
perform the following activities:
a. Designate
or establish channels of written and oral communication.
b. Interpret available information concerning
the individual under care.
c.
Provide initial evaluation.
d.
Develop plan of care, including short-term and long-term goals.
e. Select and delegate appropriate tasks for
plan of care.
2. When the
supervising physical therapist is not available the supervising physical
therapist shall transfer responsibility of all patient care to another
qualified physical therapist who assumes responsibility for all patient care,
including those being rendered by the physical therapist assistant under
general supervision.
3. The
supervising physical therapist maintains primary responsibility for all patient
care services, including those rendered by a physical therapist assistant under
general supervision.
4. Assess
competence of supportive personnel to perform assigned tasks.
5. Direct and supervise supportive personnel
in delegated tasks.
6. Identify and
document precautions, goals, anticipated progress, and plans for
reevaluation.
7. Reevaluate, adjust
plan of care when necessary, perform final evaluation, and establish followup
plan of care.
