Utah Code 58-24b-401. Authority and ethical standards of a licensed physical therapist and licensed physical therapist assistant — Function of a physical therapy aide

(1)

A licensed physical therapist:

Terms Used In Utah Code 58-24b-401

General supervision: means supervision and oversight of a person by a licensed physical therapist when the licensed physical therapist is immediately available in person, by telephone, or by electronic communication to assist the person. See Utah Code 58-24b-102
Licensed physical therapist: means a person licensed under this chapter to engage in the practice of physical therapy. See Utah Code 58-24b-102
Licensed physical therapist assistant: means a person licensed under this chapter to engage in the practice of physical therapy, subject to the provisions of Subsection 58-24b-401(2)(a). See Utah Code 58-24b-102
On-site supervision: means supervision and oversight of a person by a licensed physical therapist or a licensed physical therapist assistant when the licensed physical therapist or licensed physical therapist assistant is:

(a)	continuously present at the facility where the person is providing services;

(b)	immediately available to assist the person; and

(c)

regularly involved in the services being provided by the person. See Utah Code 58-24b-102

Person: means :Utah Code 68-3-12.5

Physical therapy aide: means a person who:

(a)	is trained, on-the-job, by a licensed physical therapist; and

(b)	provides routine assistance to a licensed physical therapist or licensed physical therapist assistant, while the licensed physical therapist or licensed physical therapist assistant practices physical therapy, within the scope of the licensed physical therapist's or licensed physical therapist assistant's license. See Utah Code 58-24b-102
(a)	is fully authorized to practice physical therapy; and

(b)

shall adhere to the standards of ethics described in:

(i)	the American Physical Therapy Association’s Code of Ethics and Guide for Professional Conduct; and

(ii)

rule.

(2)

A licensed physical therapist assistant:

(a)

is authorized to practice physical therapy:

(i)	under the on-site supervision or general supervision of a licensed physical therapist; and

(ii)	within the scope of practice of a licensed physical therapist assistant, as described in this chapter and by rule;

(b)

shall adhere to the standards of ethics described in:

(i)	the American Physical Therapy Association’s Code of Ethics and Guide for Professional Conduct; and

(ii)

rule; and

(c)	may not be supervised by any person other than a licensed physical therapist.

(3)

(a)	A physical therapy aide may not engage in the practice of physical therapy.

(b)

Notwithstanding Subsection (3)(a), a physical therapy aide may provide routine assistance to:

(i)	a licensed physical therapist while the licensed physical therapist engages in the practice of physical therapy, if the physical therapy aide is under the on-site supervision of the licensed physical therapist; or

(ii)

a licensed physical therapist assistant while the licensed physical therapist assistant engages in the practice of physical therapy, within the scope of the licensed physical therapist assistant’s license, if the physical therapy aide is:

(A)	under the general or on-site supervision of a licensed physical therapist; and

(B)	under the on-site supervision of the licensed physical therapist assistant.

Enacted by Chapter 220, 2009 General Session

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