N.J. Admin. Code § 13:39A-7.3

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 13:39A-7.3 - Responsibilities of licensed physical therapist assistant

(a) A licensed physical therapist assistant shall not render nor continue to render care unless he or she has obtained ongoing direction from his or her designated supervising licensed physical therapist.

(b) A licensed physical therapist assistant shall obtain the signature of the designated supervising licensed physical therapist indicating that the designated supervisor reviewed the plan of care and the date when that review took place. The supervising licensed physical therapist's signature in the record shall serve as evidence that the plan of care has been reviewed by the supervising licensed physical therapist and discussed with the physical therapist assistant. If patient records are maintained on a computer recordkeeping system that does not permit a supervising licensed physical therapist to sign a licensed physical therapist assistant's notes, the supervising licensed physical therapist shall enter a separate note in the patient record indicating that he or she has reviewed the plan of care.

(c) When providing physical therapy services under direct supervision, a licensed physical therapist assistant shall, at least once every 30 days after the initial review of a new or revised plan of care with the supervising licensed physical therapist, document in the patient record that the patient's progress and plan of care were reviewed with the supervising licensed physical therapist, including the dates when those reviews took place. Such documentation may be incorporated into progress notes or treatment notes written by the licensed physical therapist or the licensed physical therapist assistant and need not require separate or additional notes.

(d) When providing physical therapy services under direct supervision, a licensed physical therapist assistant shall provide services only when the supervising licensed physical therapist is in the same building or, where physical therapy is rendered in several contiguous buildings, in one of the contiguous buildings and when the supervising licensed physical therapist is constantly available through electronic communications for consultation or for recall to the area where the licensed physical therapist assistant is rendering care.

(e) When providing physical therapy services under general supervision, a licensed physical therapist assistant shall provide services only when the supervising physical therapist makes an on-site visit:

1. At least every six patient visits or every 14 days, whichever occurs first;

2. If the licensed physical therapist assistant requests a reexamination of the patient;

3. If a change in the plan of care is needed;

4. Prior to the planned completion of an episode of care; or

5. When the patient's medical status has changed.

(f) When providing physical therapy services under general supervision, a licensed physical therapist assistant shall provide services only when the supervising physical therapist is accessible by telecommunications to the licensed physical therapist assistant at all times while the physical therapist assistant is treating patients.

(g) A licensed physical therapist assistant shall review the plan of care with the supervising licensed physical therapist:

1. Before a licensed physical therapist assistant provides care to a patient for the first time;

2. Before the licensed physical therapist assistant implements a new or revised plan of care; and

3. On or before the patient's next visit in the event of a change in supervising licensed physical therapist.

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:39A-7.3

Amended by R.2001 d.239, effective 7/16/2001.
See: 33 N.J.R. 1309(a), 33 N.J.R. 2483(a).
In (b), inserted "physical therapist" preceding "supervisor indicating"; in (c), inserted "or treatment notes" following "progress notes".
Amended by R.2007 d.21, effective 1/16/2007.
See: 38 N.J.R. 2990(a), 39 N.J.R. 222(a).
Section was "Responsibilities of physical therapist assistant". Inserted "licensed" throughout.
Amended by R.2019 d.056, effective 6/3/2019.
See: 50 N.J.R. 2044(a), 51 N.J.R. 894(a).
In (a), substituted "supervising licensed physical therapist" for "supervisor"; in (b), inserted "supervising" and "and discussed with the physical therapist assistant", and deleted "supervisor" preceding "indicating"; in (c), substituted "When providing physical therapy services under direct supervision, a licensed physical therapist assistant shall, at" for "At", deleted "the licensed physical therapist assistant shall" preceding "document", inserted a comma following the third occurrence of "therapist" and substituted "or" for "and" following the fourth occurrence of "therapist"; and added (d) through (g).
Amended by R.2020 d.088, effective 9/21/2020.
See: 51 N.J.R. 1568(a), 52 N.J.R. 1778(c).
In (b), added the third sentence.