Upcoming Webinars

Site Updates

Disclaimer

The analysis of any legal or medical billing is dependent on numerous specific facts — including the factual situations present related to the patients, the practice, the professionals and the medical services and advice. Additionally, laws and regulations and insurance and payer policies are subject to change. The information that has been accurate previously can be particularly dependent on changes in time or circumstances. The information contained in this web site is intended as general information only. It is not intended to serve as medical, health, legal or financial advice or as a substitute for professional advice of a medical coding professional, healthcare consultant, physician or medical professional, legal counsel, accountant or financial advisor. If you have a question about a specific matter, you should contact a professional advisor directly. CPT copyright American Medical Association. All rights reserved. CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association.

Menu
Log in
Forgot password


Search
Log in
Forgot password

Georgia PT Assistants

Definition of a PTA

"Physical therapist assistant" or "physical therapy assistant" means a person who is licensed by the board to assist a physical therapist, whose activities are supervised and directed by a physical therapist, and whose license is in good standing.

What type of therapist supervision is required?

A licensed physical therapist shall at all times be responsible for providing adequate supervision of a physical therapy assistant.

Adequate supervision by a licensed physical therapist shall include the following:

  • Evaluate each patient and interpret the results to determine and document a physical therapy diagnosis;
  • Plan each patient's treatment program and determine which elements thereof can be delegated to the assistant;
  • Provide periodic reevaluation of the treatment program and of the assistant's performance in relation to the patient;
  • Perform and record an evaluation of the patient and his response to treatment at the termination thereof;
  • Interact with the assistant in appropriate ways specific to the plan of care of the patients being treated by the assistant.

Institutional Settings

The licensed physical therapist shall be present in the same institutional setting, 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.

"Institutional setting" means any nursing home, acute hospital, convalescent hospital, rehabilitation center, other in- patient facility by any other name and out- patient clinic which would include private off ice.

Home Health Setting

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:

  •  Perform the initial patient evaluation to establish a physical therapy diagnosis, treatment goals, frequency, duration, and plan of care;
  • Meet with the assistant no less than once weekly to review all patients being treated;
  • Document all meetings with the assistant and subsequent decisions;
  • Be available to the assistant at all times for advice, assistance, and instructions.

School Setting

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

  • 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 objective s, including frequency and duration of physical therapy services.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Be available to the physical therapist assistant at all times for advice, assistance and instructions.

PTA Identification

A physical therapist assistant shall use the letters "PTA" immediately following his or her name to designate licensure under this chapter. A person shall not use the title "physical therapist assistant," the letters "PTA," or any other words, abbreviations, or insignia in connection with that person's name to indicate or imply, directly or indirectly, that the person is a physical therapist assistant unless that person is licensed as a physical therapist assistant

Reference

O.C.G.A § 43-33-11

Georgia Rule 490-5-.01

Georgia Rule 490-5-.02


About Us

Therapy Comply is a healthcare compliance firm that seeks to bring high quality web-based compliance guidance and one-on-one consulting services to small and medium size physical, occupational, and speech therapy practices.

Learn More 

Join Us

Join today as either a monthly or a yearly member and enjoy full access to the site and a significant discount to our live and recorded webinars.  Members also have access to compliance and billing support.

Join Today 

Find Us


Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software