section .0200 – physical therapist assistants

21 NCAC 48C .0201         SUPERVISION BY PHYSICAL THERAPIST

(a)  A physical therapist assistant may assist in the practice of physical therapy only to the extent allowed by the supervising physical therapist.

(b)  A physical therapist assistant may make modifications of treatment programs that are consistent with the established patient care plan.

(c)  A physical therapist assistant may engage in off-site patient related activities that are appropriate for the physical therapist assistant's qualifications and the status of the patient.

(d)  A physical therapist assistant may document care provided without the co-signature of the supervising physical therapist.

(e)  A physical therapist assistant who is supervising a physical therapy aide or student must be present in the same facility when patient care is provided.

(f)  The physical therapist assistant must document every intervention/treatment, which must include the following elements:

(1)           Authentication (signature and designation) by the physical therapist assistant who performed the service;

(2)           Date of the intervention/treatment;

(3)           Length of time of total treatment session;

(4)           Patient status report;

(5)           Changes in clinical status;

(6)           Identification of specific elements of each intervention/modality provided. Frequency, intensity, or other details may be included in the plan of care and if so, do not need to be repeated in the daily note;

(7)           Equipment provided to the patient or client; and

(8)           Response to treatment based on subjective and objective findings, including any adverse reactions to an intervention.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 90-270.90; 90-270.92; 90-270.102;

Eff. December 30, 1985;

Amended Eff. December 1, 2006; August 1, 2002;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. May 1, 2018.