Section 12.54.510. Supervision of physical therapy assistants.

	(a)  A physical therapy assistant shall work under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist.  
	(b)  A licensed physical therapist is responsible for and shall participate in the patient's care.  
	(c)  Except as specified in 12 AAC 54.500(e), a physical therapist may supervise a maximum of three physical therapy assistants.  
	(d)  A licensed physical therapy assistant shall have in possession written treatment plans formulated by the licensed physical therapist for each patient under the care of the physical therapy assistant. Treatment plans must be revised following periodic evaluations by the licensed physical therapist.  
	(e)  The supervising physical therapist shall give the physical therapy assistant periodic supervision on site at least once every month. The physical therapist shall be available for consultation with the physical therapy assistant that may be provided by telephone, verbally, or in writing.  
	(f)  Nothing in this chapter restricts public health service or military personnel engaged in the practice of physical therapy in programs administered by federal agencies.  
	(g)  If the licensed physical therapist agrees to supervise a physical therapy assistant, the supervising physical therapist shall  
		(1) determine the frequency and manner of consultations with the physical therapy assistant, taking into consideration the treatment settings being used, patient rehabilitation status, and the competency of the physical therapy assistant;  
		(2) fully document the supervision provided, including a record of all consultations provided, and maintain those records at the physical therapy assistant's place of employment; and  
		(3) countersign the patient treatment record each time the supervising physical therapist is physically present and directly supervises the treatment of a patient by the physical therapy assistant being supervised.  

Authorities

08.84.010

Notes

Reference

12 AAC 54.050
12 AAC 54.530
12 AAC 54.930
7 AAC 115.210

Authority

AS 08.84.010

History

Eff. 10/30/82, Register 84; am 7/4/84, Register 90; am 9/26/91, Register 119; am 6/1/95, Register 134; am 5/21/97, Register 142; am 2/17/2002, Register 161; am 4/11/2008, Register 186