What is an aide expressly prohibited from doing?

A physical therapist may not direct unlicensed personnel to perform tasks which require the decision making or problem solving skills of a physical therapist, including but not limited to patient examination, evaluation, diagnosis, or determination of therapeutic intervention.

What are the responsibilities of the PT when delegating to an aide?

In providing direct on−premises supervision, the physical therapist shall do all of the following:

• Retain full professional responsibility for patient related tasks performed.
• Be available at all times for direction and supervision with the person performing related tasks.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of patient related tasks performed by those under direct supervision by assessing persons for whom tasks have been performed prior to and following performance of the tasks.
• Routinely evaluate the effectiveness of patient related tasks performed by those under direct supervision by observing and monitoring persons receiving such tasks.
• Determine the competence of personnel to perform assigned tasks based upon his or her education, training and experience.
• Verify the competence of unlicensed personnel with written documentation of continued competence in the assigned tasks.

What type of supervision is required?

A physical therapist shall provide direct on−premises supervision of unlicensed personnel at all times.

What is the ratio between supervising PTs and aides?

The total number of physical therapist assistants providing physical therapy services and unlicensed personnel performing patient related tasks under supervision may not exceed a combined total of four (4).

Reference

Wis. Admin. Code Trans. PT 5.02