Section 338.7138. Delegation of acts, tasks, functions, or interventions to a physical therapist assistant; supervision of physical therapist assistant; requirements.

(1) A physical therapist who delegates the performance   of selected acts, tasks, functions, or interventions to a physical therapist assistant as permitted under section 16215 of the code shall supervise the physical therapist assistant consistent with section 16109(2) of the code and satisfy the requirements of this rule.

(2)       A physical therapist who delegates acts, tasks, functions, or interventions to a physical therapist assistant shall provide general supervision of the physical therapist assistant. As used in this subrule, "general supervision" means that the physical therapist is not required to be physically present on site, but must be continuously available at the time the procedure is performed. Continuously available includes availability by telecommunication or other electronic device.

(3)         A physical therapist who delegates acts, tasks, functions, or interventions under subrule (2) of this rule shall also comply with all of the following:

(a)       Ensure the qualifications of the physical therapist assistant under the physical therapist's supervision, including verification of the physical therapist assistant's training, education, and licensure.

(b)       Examine and  evaluate   the  patient  or  client  before  delegating interventions to be performed by a physical therapist assistant.

(c)         Provide supervision of a physical therapist assistant to whom acts,  tasks, functions, or interventions have been delegated.

(d)     Provide predetermined procedures and protocols for acts, tasks, functions, or interventions that have been delegated.

(e)      Maintain a record of the names of the physical therapist assistants to whom acts, tasks, functions, or interventions have been delegated.

(f)    Monitor a physical therapist assistant's practice and provision of assigned physical therapy acts, tasks, functions, or interventions.

(g)      Meet regularly and in person with the physical therapist assistant to whom acts, tasks, functions, or interventions have been delegated to evaluate the assistant's performance, review records, and educate the physical therapist assistant on the acts, tasks, functions, or interventions that have been delegated.

(4)       A physical therapist shall not supervise   more  than   4  physical therapist assistants at the same time.

History: 2010 AACS.