Physical Therapy California Laws and Regulations

Who can legally perform the initial examination and evaluation of a patient referred to physical therapy?

licensed physical therapist

Which of the following interventions would NOT be appropriate to delegate to a physical therapist assistant?

Perform spinal joint manipulation requiring re-examination and clinical decision making

Which of the following would NOT be appropriate within the scope of practice of the physical therapist assistant?

Change the plan of care in order to better meet the patients needs

Who may legally supervise PT Aides in California?

Physical Therapists

Which statement best describes supervision requirements for physical therapist assistants?

The supervising physical therapists shall be readily available in person or by telecommunication to the PTA at all times while the physical therapist assistants is treating patients.

Which statement is true regarding laws and regulations governing physical therapy practice?

Laws and regulations provide rights and protection for PT's and PTA's as well as outlining the responsibilities and limitations of the scope of practice

How could a student physical therapist assistant most easily obtain a copy of the "practice act" for physical therapy in California?

Go to the website for the Physical Therapy Board of California

Which of the following would not be appropriate for a licensed physical therapist assistant?

Evaluate and develop a treatment plan for a patient with a routine condition

Which of the following activities of a physical therapy aide would be defined as a patient- related task?

assisting the patient with an excercise routine

Which of the following statements regarding supervision of an aide by the physical therapist is TRUE in California?

The physical therapist must provide continuous and immediate supervision of the aide

Who is the "physical therapist of record"

The physical therapist who performs the initial evaluation of a patient, unless the patients care is reassigned to another physical therapist of record

Who is responsible for providing supervision and direction to the physical therapist assistant in the treatment of a given patient?

The therapist who has been designated the "physical therapist of record" for that patient.

What is usually the maximum number of physical therapist assistants that a physical therapist can supervise in California?

two "2"

What patient-related task can an aide perform under the supervision of a PTA, according to the California laws and regulations?

NONE a PTA CANNOT supervise and aide!

Prior to a PT aide providing patient care, what does a supervising PT need to do?

Evaluate and document the aides competency level for performing the patient related task that the aide will provide

Which of the following may a PTA do?

Write daily chart notes in the patients medical record

Which of the following is true for Physical Therapists in California?

May treat patients only if the disorder has been diagnosed by an appropriate medical diagnostician

Under the continuing competency requirement(Regulations 1399.90-1399.99) which became effective in November 2009, physical therapists and PTA's licensed in California

Must document participation in 30 hours of continuing education or other forms of professional development during each two-year period between licensure renewal dates as a requirement for licensure renewal

Which of the following are NOT included in the curriculum of a PTA program?

Joint mobilization; nutritional supplementation; acupressure

Each state has the right to define the progression of physical therapy and regulate the practice in its jurisdiction. What is the piece of legislation known as?

Practice Act

Which of the following may a PTA do?

serve in a clinical leadership position as long as he/she doesn't perform service as a PTA in the same practice

Which of the following statements is true regarding supervision of PTA students?

A physical therapist assistant under the supervision of a physical therapist supervisor may perform as clinical instructor of the physical therapist assistant student

Which of the following is true regarding use of physical therapy aides?

The physical therapist must be in immediate proximity to the aide if the aide is performing patient related tasks