Physical Therapy, Board of

Physical Therapy, Board of

Chapter 6: Licensure and Registration Requirements

Effective Date: 05/14/2004 to 04/06/2010

Rule Type: Superceded Rules & Regulations

Reference Number: 062.0001.6.05142004

CHAPTER 6

LICENSURE AND REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

Section 1. Scope of Practice.

(a) Physical Therapist. All physical therapists shall provide physical therapy services in accordance with the Act. Regardless of the setting in which the service is provided, the following shall be the sole responsibility of the physical therapist:

(i) A physical therapist is responsible for managing all aspects of the physical therapy care of each patient. A physical therapist shall provide:

(A) The initial evaluation and documentation for each patient;

(B) Periodic re-evaluation and documentation of each patient;

(C) The documented discharge of the patient, including the response to therapeutic intervention at the time of discharge.

(ii) A physical therapist shall assure the qualifications of all physical therapist assistants and physical therapy aids under his or her direction and supervision.

(iii) For each patient on each date of service a physical therapist shall provide all of the therapeutic intervention that requires the expertise of a physical therapist and shall determine the use of physical therapist assistants or assistive personnel that provide for the delivery of care that is safe, effective and efficient.

(iv) A physical therapist's responsibility for patient care management shall include accurate documentation and billing of the services provided.

(b) Physical Therapist Assistant. A Physical Therapist Assistant shall only practice under the supervision of a Wyoming licensed physical therapist. The physical therapist assistant must also adhere to the following directives:

(i) A supervising physical therapist shall be readily accessible by telecommunications and within 60 minutes or less travel time from the treatment facility to the physical therapist assistant while the physical therapist assistant is treating patients;

(ii) An initial visit shall be made by a supervising physical therapist for evaluation of the patient and establishment of a written plan of care;

(iii) The ratio of supervising physical therapist to physical therapist assistants shall not exceed one (1) physical therapist to three (3) physical therapist assistants; and

(iv) At least once every thirty-one (31) days, there shall be a treatment visit rendered by the supervising physical therapist outlining current treatment goals and program modifications. The supervising physical therapist must assess the final treatment rendered to the patient at discharge.

(c) Assistive Personnel. Assistive personnel may perform patient care activities under the supervision of a Wyoming licensed physical therapist or a Wyoming registered physical therapist assistant. An aide or technician may perform physical therapy related activities which are assigned and are commensurate with their training and abilities, but their work shall not include the interpretation and implementation of referrals from licensed medical doctors or dentists, the performance of evaluations, the determination and modification of treatment programs, or any independent performance of any physical therapy procedures.

(i) Physical therapists are responsible for the activities of the assistive personnel when the assistive personnel are performing delegated activities.

(ii) Assistive personnel shall perform patient care activities under on-site supervision of a licensed physical therapist or registered physical therapist assistant. On-site supervision means the supervising physical therapist or physical therapist assistant must:

(A) Be continuously on-site and present in the department or facility where the assistive personnel are performing services;

(B) Be immediately available to assist the person being supervised in the services being performed; and

(C) Maintain continued involvement in which a component of treatment is delegated to assistive personnel.

(iii) A physical therapist may supervise no more than three (3) assistive personnel.

(iv) A physical therapist assistant may supervise no more than one (1) assistive person

(d) Athletic Trainers shall be certified by NATA-BOC or a national athletic trainers' certification organization approved by the Board and shall provide athletic training services in accordance with the Act.