Pennsylvania Code
Title 49 - PROFESSIONAL AND VOCATIONAL STANDARDS
Part I - DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Subpart A - PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL AFFAIRS
Chapter 40 - STATE BOARD OF PHYSICAL THERAPY
Subchapter A - PHYSICAL THERAPISTS
SCOPE OF PRACTICE
Section 40.53 - Nondelegable activities; accountability

Universal Citation: 49 PA Code ยง 40.53

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 44, November 2, 2024

(a) A physical therapist may delegate to a physical therapist assistant or supportive personnel that which he is educated to perform subject to the limitations in this section.

(b) A physical therapist may not assign or delegate to physical therapist assistants or supportive personnel functions which require the formal education or training and the skill and knowledge of a licensed physical therapist, including the following functions:

(1) Interpretation of referrals.

(2) Initial patient contact and initial evaluation or reevaluation.

(3) Determination or modification of a patient plan of care.

(4) Final discharge assessment/evaluation or establishment of discharge plan.

(5) Therapeutic techniques and procedures beyond the skill and knowledge of the physical therapist assistant.

(6) Duties, the delegation of which is inconsistent with minimum standards of acceptable physical therapy practice embraced by the physical therapy community in this Commonwealth.

(7) Mobilization. Mobilization is defined as a group of techniques comprising a continuum of skilled passive movements to the joints or related soft tissues, or both, throughout the normal physiological range of motion that are applied at varying speeds and amplitudes, without limitation.

(8) The performance of consultations.

(c) A physical therapist may not assign or delegate to supportive personnel activities which require the formal education or training and skill and knowledge of a licensed physical therapist or registered physical therapist assistant.

(d) When patient-care services are provided by the physical therapist assistant, the physical therapist shall document reevaluations and adjustments to a patient plan of care and goals at least every 30 calendar days or when there is a significant change in patient status warranting an earlier patient evaluation.

(e) A physical therapist may not assign or delegate to a physical therapist assistant or supportive personnel screenings to determine the need for the following:

(1) Primary, secondary or tertiary services.

(2) Further examination or intervention.

(3) Consultation by a physical therapist.

(4) Referral to another health care practitioner.

(f) For purposes of this section, screening is defined as determining the need for further examination or intervention, or both, by a physical therapist or for referral to another health professional.

The provisions of this §40.53 amended under sections 3(a), 6(d.1), 8(b), 9.1, 9.2 and 11(a)(6) of the Physical Therapy Practice Act (63 P. S. §§ 1303(a), 1306(d.1), 1308(b), 1309.1, 1309.2 and 1311(a)(6)); and section 812.1 of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P. S. § 279.3a).

This section cited in 49 Pa. Code § 40.52 (relating to unprofessional conduct; physical therapists).

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Pennsylvania 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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