Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024
Section 16-1-8 - Scope of Practice for Physical Therapists8.1. A physical therapist may perform the following: 8.1.1. Examine, evaluate and test patients/clients with mechanical, physiological and developmental impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities or other health and movement related conditions in order to determine a diagnosis, prognosis and plan of treatment intervention, and to assess the ongoing effects of intervention: provided, that electromyography examination and electro diagnostic studies other than the determination of chronaxia and strength duration curves shall not be performed except under the supervision of a physician electromyographer and electro diagnostician;8.1.2. Alleviate impairments, functional limitations and disabilities by designing, implementing and modifying treatment intervention that may include, but are not limited to: therapeutic exercise, functional training in self-care in relation to motor control function; mobility; and in home, community or work integration or re-integration; manual therapy techniques including but not limited to mobilization of the joints and dry needling; therapeutic massage; fabrication of assistive, adaptive, orthotic, prosthetic, protective and supportive devices and equipment; airway clearance techniques; integumentary protection and repair techniques; patient-related instruction, mechanical and electrotherapeutic modalities, and physical agent or modalities including, but not limited to, heat, cold, light, air, water, and sound; 8.1.3. Reduce the risk of injury, impairment, functional limitation and disability, including the promotion and maintenance of fitness, health and wellness in population of all ages; and, 8.1.4. Engage in administration, consultation, and research. 8.2. A licensee shall adhere to the standards of ethical practice by practicing in a manner that is moral and honorable. 8.3. A licensee shall not cheat or assist others in conspiring to cheat on the National Physical Therapy Exam. 8.4. A licensee shall not falsify, alter, or destroy patient/client records, medical records, or billing records without authorization. The licensee shall maintain accurate patient and/or billing records.8.5. A licensee shall not practice physical therapy while the ability to practice is impaired by alcohol, controlled substances, narcotic drugs, physical disability, mental disability, or emotional disability. 8.6. A licensee shall adhere to the minimal standard of acceptable prevailing practice. Failure to adhere to the minimal standards of practice, whether or not actual injury to a patient occurred, includes, but is not limited to:8.6.1. Failing to assess and evaluate a patient's status; 8.6.2. Performing or attempting to perform techniques, procedures, or both in which the licensee is untrained by education or experience;8.6.3. Delegating physicals therapy functions or responsibilities to an individual lacking the ability or knowledge to perform the functions or responsibility in question; 8.6.4. Causing, or permitting another person to cause, physical or emotional injury to the patient, or depriving the patient of the individual's dignity; 8.6.5. Providing treatment interventions that are not warranted by the patient's condition or continuing treatment beyond the point of reasonable benefit to the patient with the intent to defraud; 8.6.6. Practicing in a pattern of negligent conduct, which means a continued course of negligent conduct or of negligent conduct in performing the duties of the profession;8.6.7. Providing substandard care as a physical therapist assistant by exceeding the authority to perform components of physical therapy interventions selected by the supervising physical therapist or through a deliberate or negligent act or failure to act, whether or not actual injury to any person occurred; 8.6.8. Abandoning the patient by inappropriately terminating the patient practitioner relationship by the licensee; 8.6.9. Documenting or billing for services not actually provided; or documenting or billing services with the intent to defraud;8.6.10. A licensee shall not maliciously cause harm to another licensee.8.7. A physical therapist may refer a patient to an appropriate health care practitioner if the physical therapist has reasonable cause to believe that symptoms or conditions are present that require services beyond the scope of the practice of physical therapy. 8.8. A licensee must report to the Board any discipline received in another jurisdiction within 30 days of that discipline. The Board reserves the right to discipline up to and including revocation of a license until disciplinary process in the other jurisdiction is completed. If the licensee fails to report discipline in another jurisdiction, they are subject to disciplinary procedures in our jurisdiction determined by the Board.