In practicing physical therapy, a licensed physical therapist shall:
Terms Used In Utah Code 58-24b-402
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
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
Therapeutic intervention: includes :
(a)
therapeutic exercise, with or without the use of a device;
(b)
functional training in self-care, as it relates to physical movement and mobility;
(c)
community or work integration, as it relates to physical movement and mobility;
(d)
manual therapy, including:
(i)
soft tissue mobilization;
(ii)
therapeutic massage; or
(iii)
joint mobilization, as defined by the division, by rule;
(e)
prescribing, applying, or fabricating an assistive, adaptive, orthotic, prosthetic, protective, or supportive device;
(f)
airway clearance techniques, including postural drainage;
(g)
integumentary protection and repair techniques;
(h)
wound debridement, cleansing, and dressing;
(i)
the application of a physical agent, including:
(i)
light;
(ii)
heat;
(iii)
cold;
(iv)
water;
(v)
air;
(vi)
sound;
(vii)
compression;
(viii)
electricity; and
(ix)
electromagnetic radiation;
(j)
mechanical or electrotherapeutic modalities;
(k)
positioning;
(l)
instructing or training a patient in locomotion or other functional activities, with or without an assistive device;
(m)
manual or mechanical traction;
(n)
correction of posture, body mechanics, or gait; and
manage all aspects of the physical therapy of a patient under the licensed physical therapist’s care;
(b)
perform the initial evaluation and documentation for each patient;
(c)
perform periodic reevaluation and documentation for each patient;
(d)
perform physical therapy interventions that require immediate and continuous examination and evaluation throughout the intervention;
(e)
perform all therapeutic intervention on a patient that is outside of the standard scope of practice of a licensed physical therapist assistant or a physical therapy aide;
(f)
determine the therapeutic intervention to be performed by a licensed physical therapist assistant under the on-site supervision or general supervision of the licensed physical therapist to ensure that the therapeutic intervention is safe, effective, efficient, and within the scope of practice of the licensed physical therapist assistant;
(g)
conduct the discharge of each patient and document for each patient, at the time of discharge, the patient’s response to therapeutic intervention; and
(h)
provide accurate documentation of the billing and services provided.
(2)
A physical therapist assistant or a physical therapy aide may not:
(a)
perform a physical therapy evaluation or assessment;
(b)
identify or label a physical impairment or injury;
(c)
design a plan of care for a patient;
(d)
perform the joint mobilization component of manual therapy; or
(e)
perform the sharp selective debridement component of wound management.
