Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 490 - RULES OF GEORGIA STATE BOARD OF PHYSICAL THERAPY
Chapter 490-5 - SUPERVISION AND DIRECTION OF PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSISTANT
Rule 490-5-.01 - Responsibility of the Licensed Physical Therapist in Supervision and Direction of the Physical Therapist Assistant

Universal Citation: GA Rules and Regs r 490-5-.01

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through March 20, 2024

(1) A licensed physical therapist shall at all times be responsible for providing adequate supervision of the physical therapists assistant, as defined in Rule 490-5-.02.

(2) The licensed physical therapist shall be present in the same institutional setting, as defined in paragraph (3) of this section, 25 percent of any work week, Monday through Friday, and shall be readily available to the assistant at all other times, including weekend coverage, for advice, assistance and instruction.

(3) "Institutional setting" means any nursing home, acute hospital, convalescent hospital, rehabilitation center, other inpatient facility by any other name and outpatient clinic which would include private office.

(4) The licensed physical therapist in the home health setting responsible for the patient shall supervise the physical therapist assistant working with the patient and shall:

(a) perform the initial patient evaluation to establish a physical therapy diagnosis, treatment goals, frequency, duration, and plan of care;

(b) meet with the assistant no less than once weekly to review all patients being treated;

(d) be available to the assistant at all times for advice, assistance, and instructions.

(5) A licensed physical therapist shall be designated as the physical therapist assistant's supervisor in the school setting and shall:

(a) perform all physical therapy evaluations to develop or amend physical therapy interventions stated on the student's Individual Educational Plan (IEP) for the purpose of assisting with the achievement of educational goals and objectives, including frequency and duration of physical therapy services.

(b) make an on-site visit to each student scheduled for direct weekly services from the physical therapist assistant no less than every two (2) months, and no less than once every five (5) months for students who are scheduled with the physical therapist assistant once monthly or less. The on-site visit shall include, but not be limited to, a case review, reassessment of the program and physical therapy services and review of documentation pre pared by the physical therapist assistant.

(c) document the on-site visit including status of case(s), program or services status or change and indicate instructions given to the physical therapist assistant.

(d) interact with the physical therapist assistant in appropriate ways specific to the goals and objectives stated in the IEP of the student who is scheduled for sessions with the physical therapist assistant.

(e) be available to the physical therapist assistant at all times for advice, assistance and instructions.

O.C.G.A. §§ 43-1-24; 43-1-25; 43-33-3(6); 43-33-10(11).

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Georgia may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.

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