Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024
Section 16-1-2 - DefinitionsThe following words and phrases as used in these rules shall have the following meanings, unless the context otherwise requires:
2.1. "Applicant" means any person making application for an original or renewal license or a temporary permit under the provisions of the W. Va. Code § 30-20-1, et. seq. 2.2. "Board" means the West Virginia Board of Physical Therapy. 2.3. "Business entity" means any firm, partnership, association, company, corporation, limited partnership, limited liability company or other entity providing physical therapy services.2.4. "Consultation" means a physical therapist renders an opinion or advice to another physical therapist or health care provider through telecommunications.2.5. "Direct supervision" means the actual physical presence of the physical therapist in the immediate treatment area where the treatment is being rendered. 2.6. "Dry Needling" is a skilled technique performed by a physical therapist using filiform needles to penetrate the skin and/or underlying tissues to affect changes in body structure and functions for the evaluation and management of neuro musculoskeletal conditions, pain, movement impairments, and disability.2.7. "General supervision" means the physical therapist must be available at least by telecommunications. 2.8. "Immediate treatment area" is defined as the area within the physical therapist's direct line of sight or within audible distance of the physical therapist and the ability of the physical therapist to immediately respond to calls for assistance from the patient or physical therapy aide. 2.9. "License" means a physical therapist license or license to act as a physical therapist assistant issued under the provisions of W. Va. Code § 30-20-1, et. seq. 2.10. "Licensee" means a person holding a license under the provisions of the W. Va. Code § 30-20-1, et. seq.2.11. "On-site supervision" means the supervising physical therapist is continuously on-site and present in the building where services are provided, is immediately available to the person being supervised, and maintains continued involvement in appropriate aspects of each treatment session. 2.12. "Originating site" means the location of the person receiving care, whether or not accompanied by a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant, at the time services are provided through telehealth, including but not limited to, an out-patient facility, hospital, critical access hospital, rural health clinic, federally qualified health center, a patient's home, and other nonmedical environments such as school-based health centers, university based health centers, or the work location of the patient. 2.13. "Permit" or "temporary permit" means a temporary permit issued under the provisions of the W. Va. Code § 30-20-1, et. seq. 2.14. "Permittee" means any person holding a temporary permit issued pursuant to the provisions of the W. Va. Code § 30-20-1, et. seq. 2.15. "Physical therapist" means a person engaging in the practice of physical therapy who holds a license or permit issued under the provisions of W. Va. Code § 30-20-1, et. seq., and this rule. 2.16. "Physical therapist assistant" means a person holding a license or permit issued under the provisions of W. Va. Code § 30-20-1, et. seq., and this rule who assists in the practice of physical therapy by performing patient related activities delegated to him or her by a physical therapist and performs under the supervision of a physical therapist and which patient related activities commensurate with his or her education and training, including physical therapy procedures, but not the performance of evaluative procedures or determination and modification of the patient plan of care. 2.17. "Physical therapy aide" means a person trained under the direction of a physical therapist who performs designated and routine tasks related to physical therapy services under the direction supervision of a physical therapist. 2.17.1. A physical therapy aide works under the direct supervision of a physical therapist; provided, that a physical therapist assistant may directly supervise a physical therapy aide in emergency situations necessary to provide patient safety. 2.18. "Practice of physical therapy" or "physiotherapy" means the care and services as described in the W. Va. Code § 30-20-1, et. seq. 2.19. "Telecommunication" means audio, video, or data communication. 2.20. "Telehealth services" means the use of synchronous or asynchronous telecommunications technology by a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant within the scope of W. Va. Code R. § 16-1-2.15 to provide physical therapy services, including, but not limited to, assessment, diagnosis, consultation, treatment, and monitoring of a patient; transfer of medical data; patient and professional health-related education; public health services and health administration. This term does not include audio-only telephone calls, email messages, or facsimile transmissions. 2.21. "Unreversed" as that term refers to a criminal conviction, means that a conviction has not been set aside, vacated, pardoned, or expunged.