Upcoming Webinars

  • No upcoming events

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

Washington Physical Therapy Definitions

Authorized Health Care Practitioner - Includes licensed physicians, osteopathic physicians, chiropractors, naturopaths, podiatric physicians and surgeons, dentists, and advanced registered nurse practitioners.

Board - The Washington Board of Physical Therapy.

CAPTE - The commission on accreditation for physical therapy education.

Close Supervision - The supervisor has personally diagnosed the condition to be treated and has personally authorized the procedures to be performed. The supervisor is continuously on-site and physically present in the operatory while the procedures are performed and capable of responding immediately in the event of an emergency.

Consultation - A communication regarding a patient's evaluation and proposed treatment plan with an authorized health care practitioner.

Department - The Washington state department of health.

Direct Supervision - The supervisor must:

    • Be continuously on-site and present in the department or facility where the person being supervised is performing services;
    • Be immediately available to assist the person being supervised in the services being performed; and
    • Maintain continued involvement in appropriate aspects of each treatment session in which a component of treatment is delegated to assistive personnel or is required to be directly supervised.

Indirect Supervision - The supervisor is not on the premises, but has given either written or oral instructions for treatment of the patient and the patient has been examined by the physical therapist at such time as acceptable health care practice requires and consistent with the particular delegated health care task.

Intramuscular Needling - Also known as "dry needling," means a skilled intervention that uses a single use, sterile filiform needle to penetrate the skin and stimulate underlying myofascial trigger points and connective and muscular tissues for the evaluation and management of neuromusculoskeletal pain and movement impairments. Intramuscular needling requires an examination and diagnosis. Intramuscular needling does not include needle retention without stimulation or the stimulation of auricular and distal points.

NPTE - The National Physical Therapy Examination.

Other Assistive Personnel - Other trained or educated health care personnel, who perform specific designated tasks that are related to physical therapy and within their license, scope of practice, or formal education, under the supervision of a PT including, but not limited to, licensed massage therapists, licensed athletic trainers, and exercise physiologists. At the direction of the supervising PT, and if properly credentialed and not prohibited by any other law, other assistive personnel may be identified by the title specific to their license, training or education.

Physical Therapist - A person who meets all the requirements of the statutes and regulations and is licensed in Washington to practice physical therapy.

Physical Therapist Assistant - A person who meets all the requirements of the statutes and is licensed as a PTA and who performs physical therapy procedures and related tasks that have been selected and delegated only by the supervising PT. However, a PT may not delegate sharp debridement to a PTA.

Physical Therapy Aide - An unlicensed person who receives ongoing on-the-job training and assists a PT or PTA in providing physical therapy patient care and who does not meet the definition of a PT, PTA, or other assistive personnel. A physical therapy aide may directly assist in the implementation of therapeutic interventions but may not alter or modify the plan of therapeutic interventions and may not perform any procedure or task which only a physical therapist may perform.

Other Assistive Personnel - Other trained or educated health care personnel who perform specific designated tasks that are related to physical therapy and within their license, scope of practice, or formal education, under the supervision of a PT, including but not limited to licensed massage therapists, athletic trainers, and exercise physiologists. At the direction of the supervising physical therapist, and if properly credentialed and not prohibited by any other law, other assistive personnel may be identified by the title specific to their license, training, or education.

Physical Therapy - The care and services provided by or under the direction and supervision of a PT licensed in Washington. Except as provided in RCW 18.74.190, the use of Roentgen rays and radium for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, the use of electricity for surgical purposes, including cauterization, and the use of spinal manipulation, or manipulative mobilization of the spine and its immediate articulations, are not included under the term "physical therapy".

Secretary - The secretary of health.

Sharp Debridement - The removal of devitalized tissue from a wound with scissors, scalpel, and tweezers without anesthesia. "Sharp debridement" does not mean surgical debridement. A PT may perform sharp debridement, to include the use of a scalpel, only upon showing evidence of adequate education and training as established by rule. Until the rules are established, but no later than July 1, 2006, PTs licensed under this chapter who perform sharp debridement as of July 24, 2005, shall submit to the secretary an affidavit that includes evidence of adequate education and training in sharp debridement, including the use of a scalpel.

Spinal Manipulation - Spinal manipulation, spinal manipulative therapy, high velocity thrust maneuvers, and grade five mobilization of the spine and its immediate articulations.

Reference

RCW 18.74.010

WAC 246-915-010

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