Section 12.54.590. Definitions related to physical therapy.

	(a)  In 12 AAC 54.030 - 12 AAC 54.590,  
		(1) "continual on-site supervision" means the supervising physical therapist or physical therapy assistant  
			(A) is present in the department or facility where services are being provided;  
			(B) is immediately available to the non-licensed personnel being supervised; and  
			(C) maintains continual oversight of patient-related duties performed by the non-licensed personnel;  
		(2) "internship" means postgraduate on-the-job training of physical therapists or physical therapy assistants, approved by the board;  
		(3) "non-licensed personnel"  
			(A) means personnel who are  
				(i) used by a licensed physical therapist or physical therapy assistant to deliver patient-related duties and non-patient related duties related to the practice of physical therapy; and  
				(ii) trained under the direction of a licensed physical therapist or physical therapy assistant to perform designated non-patient related duties and patient-related duties related to the practice of physical therapy;  
			(B) includes personnel who are referred to as "aides", "technicians", or "techs";  
		(4) "non-patient related duties" includes clerical and maintenance activities and preparation of the work area or equipment;  
		(5) "patient-related duties" means routine tasks that do not require the education, skill, and training of a physical therapist or physical therapy assistant, and for which the  
			(A) outcome anticipated for the task is predictable;  
			(B) situation of the patient and the environment is stable and will not require that judgment, interpretations, or adaptations be made by non-licensed personnel; and  
			(C) task routine and process have been clearly established;  
		(6) "supervision" means  
			(A) the licensed physical therapist will be present whenever a patient is evaluated, a treatment program is established, or a treatment program is changed; and  
			(B) the licensed physical therapist is present to personally review the diagnosis of the condition to be treated, to authorize the procedure, and before dismissal of the patient, to evaluate the performance of the treatment given.  
	(b)  In AS 08.84.190, "physical therapy" does not include exercise or activities performed by non-licensed personnel in a home or school setting for the benefit of a patient or student.  

Authorities

08.84.010

Notes

Reference

12 AAC 54.590

Authority

AS 08.84.010 ________________________

History

Eff. 9/26/91, Register 119; am 4/16/2004, Register 170; am 6/10/2010, Register 194