1. (a) The role of the PTA.

   1. (1) A PTA may provide physical therapy services only under the supervision of a PT (See §322.3 of this title, (relating to Supervision)).

   2. (2) A PTA may be assigned responsibilities by a supervising PT to:

      1. (A) screen patients designated by a PT as possible candidates for physical therapy services (See §322.1(b) of this chapter, (relating to Evaluation and screening));

      2. (B) provide physical therapy services as specified in the physical therapy plan of care (See §322.1(c) of this chapter, (relating to Physical therapy plan of care development and implementation)) which may include:

         1. (i) preparing patients, treatment areas, and equipment;
         2. (ii) implementing treatment programs that include therapeutic exercises; gait training and techniques; ADL training techniques; administration of therapeutic heat and cold; administration of ultrasound; administration of therapeutic electric current; administration of ultraviolet; application of traction; performance of intermittent venous compression; application of external bandages, dressings, and support; performance of goniometric measurement;
         3. (iii) modifying treatment techniques as indicated in the plan of care;
      3. (C) respond to acute changes in physiological state;
      4. (D) teach other health care providers, patients, and families to perform selected treatment procedures and functional activities;
      5. (E) identify architectural barriers;

      6. (F) interact with patients and families in a manner which provides the desired psycho-social support by:

         1. (i) recognizing his own reaction to illness and disability;
         2. (ii) recognizing patients' and families' reactions to illness and disability;
         3. (iii) respecting individual cultural, religious, and socioeconomic differences in people;
         4. (iv) utilizing appropriate communicative processes;
      7. (G) demonstrate appropriate and effective written, oral, and nonverbal communication with patients and their families, colleagues, and the public;
      8. (H) recognize his own strengths and limitations and interpret for others his scope and function;
      9. (I) demonstrate safe, ethical, and legal practice;
      10. (J) understand basic concepts related to the health care system, including multidisciplinary team approach, quality care, governmental agencies, private sector, role of other health care providers, health care facilities, issues, and problems;
      11. (K) understand basic principles of levels of authority and responsibility, planning, time management, supervisory process, performance evaluations, policies and procedures, and fiscal consideration (provider and consumer).

   3. (3) The PTA may not:

      1. (A) specify and/or perform definitive (decisive, conclusive, final) evaluative and assessment procedures;
      2. (B) alter a plan of care or goals;
      3. (C) recommend wheelchairs, orthoses, prostheses, other assistive devices, or alterations to architectural barriers to persons;
      4. (D) sign progress notes which design or modify the plan of care.

2. (b) The role of the physical therapy aide.

   1. (1) All rules governing the services provided by a PTA are further modified for the physical therapy aide.
   2. (2) A physical therapy aide may be assigned responsibilities by the supervising PT or PTA to provide services as specified in the physical therapy plan of care (See §322.1(c) of this chapter, (relating to Physical Therapy Plan of Care development and implementation)) within the scope of on-the-job training with onsite supervision by a PT or PTA within reasonable proximity.

   3. (3) A physical therapy aide may not:

      1. (A) perform any evaluative or assessment activities;
      2. (B) initiate physical therapy treatment, to include exercise instruction; or
      3. (C) write or sign physical therapy documents in the permanent record, except as provided for in §322.1(d), Documentation of treatment.

Source Note:The provisions of this §322.2 adopted to be effective April 15, 1999, 24 TexReg 2935; amended to be effective December 29, 2002, 27 TexReg 12214.