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Alaska Physical Therapy Legal Definitions

These definitions have been modified for clarity.  

Board

The Alaska Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board.

Continual On-Site Supervision

The supervising PT or PTA:

  • Is present in the department or facility where services are being provided;
  • Is immediately available to the non-licensed personnel being supervised; and
  • Maintains continual oversight of patient-related duties performed by the non-licensed personnel.

Internship

Postgraduate on-the-job training of a PT or PTA, approved by the board.

Non-Licensed Personnel

Personnel who are:

  • Used by a licensed PT or PTA to deliver patient-related duties and non-patient related duties related to the practice of physical therapy; and
  • Trained under the direction of a licensed PT or PTA to perform designated non-patient related duties and patient-related duties related to the practice of physical therapy;
  • Includes personnel who are referred to as "aides", "technicians", or "techs".

Non-Patient Related Duties

Includes clerical and maintenance activities and preparation of the work area or equipment.

Patient-Related Duties

Routine tasks that do not require the education, skill, and training of a PT or PTA, and for which the:

  • Outcome anticipated for the task is predictable;
  • Situation of the patient and the environment is stable and will not require that judgment, interpretations, or adaptations be made by non-licensed personnel; and
  • Task routine and process have been clearly established.

Physical Therapist

A person who practices physical therapy.

Physical Therapist Assistant

A person who assists in the practice of physical therapy or an aspect of physical therapy as initiated, supervised, and terminated by a licensed PT; the responsibilities of a PTA do not include evaluation.

Physical Therapy

The examination, treatment and instruction of human beings to detect, assess, prevent, correct, alleviate and limit physical disability, bodily malfunction, pain from injury, disease and other bodily or mental conditions and includes the administration, interpretation and evaluation of tests and measurements of bodily functions and structures; the planning, administration, evaluation and modification of treatment and instruction including the use of physical measures, activities and devices for preventive and therapeutic purposes.

Supervision

The licensed PT will be present whenever a patient is evaluated, a treatment program is established, or a treatment program is changed. The licensed PT is present to personally review the diagnosis of the condition to be treated, to authorize the procedure, and before dismissal of the patient, to evaluate the performance of the treatment given.

Reference

AS 08.84.190

12 AAC 54.590

About Me

Zachary Edgar JD, LLM is Therapy Comply's managing partner.  Zachary is a healthcare attorney who specializes in federal and state healthcare regulatory issues particularly for physical, occupational, and speech therapy practices.  

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