Section 1398.44 - Adequate Supervision Defined(a) "Adequate supervision" of a physical therapist assistant shall mean supervision that complies with this section. A physical therapist shall at all times be responsible for all physical therapy services provided by the physical therapist assistant and shall ensure that the physical therapist assistant does not function autonomously. The physical therapist has a continuing responsibility to follow the progress of each patient, and is responsible for determining which elements of a treatment plan may be assigned to a physical therapist assistant.(b) A physical therapist who performs the initial evaluation of a patient shall be the physical therapist of record for that patient. The physical therapist of record shall remain as such until a reassignment of that patient to another physical therapist of record has occurred. The physical therapist of record shall ensure that a written system of transfer to the succeeding physical therapist exists.(c) The physical therapist of record shall provide supervision and direction to the physical therapist assistant in the treatment of patients to whom the physical therapist assistant is providing care. The physical therapist assistant shall be able to identify, and communicate with, the physical therapist of record at all times during the treatment of a patient.(d) A physical therapist assistant shall not: (1) Perform measurement, data collection or care prior to the evaluation of the patient by the physical therapist(2) Document patient evaluation and reevaluation(3) Write a discharge summary(4) Establish or change a plan of care(5) Write progress reports to another health care professional, as distinguished from daily chart notes(6) Be the sole physical therapy representative in any meeting with other health care professionals where the patient's plan of care is assessed or may be modified.(7) Supervise a physical therapy aide performing patient-related tasks(8) Provide treatment if the physical therapist assistant holds a management position in the physical therapy business where the care is being provided. For purposes of this section, "management position" shall mean a position that has control or influence over scheduling, hiring, or firing. The prohibitions in subsection (d) above shall not prohibit a physical therapist assistant from collecting and documenting data, administering standard tests, or taking measurements related to patient status.
(e) The physical therapist assistant shall notify the physical therapist of record, document in the patient record any change in the patient's condition not within the planned progress or treatment goals, and any change in the patient's general condition.Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 16, § 1398.44
1. Repealer of subsection (f) filed 6-29-83; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 83, No. 27).
2. Amendment of section and NOTE filed 9-18-96; operative 9-18-96 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(d) (Register 96, No. 38).
3. Repealer and new section filed 6-14-2011; operative 7-14-2011 (Register 2011, No. 24).
4. Change without regulatory effect amending subsection (e) and repealing subsection (e)(1) filed 9-21-2015 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2015, No. 39).
5. Change without regulatory effect amending NOTE filed 7-6-2017 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2017, No. 27). Note: Authority cited: Section 2615, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 2622 and 2630.3, Business and Professions Code.
1. Repealer of subsection (f) filed 6-29-83; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 83, No. 27).
2. Amendment of section and Note filed 9-18-96; operative 9-18-96 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(d) (Register 96, No. 38).
3. Repealer and new section filed 6-14-2011; operative 7-14-2011 (Register 2011, No. 24).
4. Change without regulatory effect amending subsection (e) and repealing subsection (e)(1) filed 9-21-2015 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2015, No. 39).
5. Change without regulatory effect amending Note filed 7-6-2017 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2017, No. 27).