SCOPE OF PRACTICE Guidelines for physical therapist scope of practice (APTA, 2014)
○ Work (job/school/play), community, leisure integration or reintegration (including instrumental activities of daily living). 2. Alleviating impairment and functional limitation by designing, implementing, and modifying therapeutic interventions that include, but are not limited to the following: ○ Coordination, communication, and documentation. ○ Patient/client-related instruction. ○ Therapeutic exercise. ○ Functional training in self-care and home management (including activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living). ○ Functional training in work (job/school/play) and community and leisure integration or reintegration activities (including instrumental activities of daily living, work hardening, and work conditioning). ○ Manual therapy techniques (including mobilization/ manipulation). ○ Prescription, application, and, as appropriate, fabrication of devices and equipment (assistive, adaptive, orthotic, protective, supportive, and prosthetic). ○ Airway clearance techniques. ○ Integumentary repair and protection techniques. Electrotherapeutic modalities. ○ Physical agents and mechanical modalities. ○ Dry needling. 3. Preventing injury, impairment, functional limitation, and disability, including the promotion and maintenance of health, wellness, fitness, and quality of life in all age populations. 4. Engaging in consultation, education, and research.
Scope of practice is limited to the care and services provided by or under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist and includes the following four points: 1. Examining (history, system review, and tests and measures) individuals with impairment, functional limitation, and disability or other health-related conditions to determine a diagnosis, prognosis, and intervention; tests and measures may include the following:
○ Aerobic capacity/endurance. ○ Anthropometric characteristics. ○ Arousal, attention, and cognition. ○ Assistive and adaptive devices.
○ Circulation (arterial, venous, lymphatic). ○ Cranial and peripheral nerve integrity. ○ Environmental, home, and work (job/school/play) barriers.
○ Ergonomics and body mechanics. ○ Gait, locomotion, and balance. ○ Integumentary integrity. ○ Joint integrity and mobility.
○ Motor function (motor control and motor learning). ○ Muscle performance (including strength, power, and endurance). ○ Neuromotor development and sensory integration. ○ Orthotic, protective, and supportive devices. ○ Pain. ○ Posture. ○ Prosthetic requirements. ○ Range of motion (including muscle length). ○ Reflex integrity. ○ Self-care and home management (including activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living). ○ Sensory integrity. ○ Ventilation and respiration/gas exchange.
CODE OF ETHICS FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSISTANTS
APTA Guide for Conduct of the Physical Therapist Assistant Purpose This Guide for Conduct of the Physical Therapist Assistant (Guide) is intended to serve physical therapist assistants in interpreting the Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant (Standards) of the American Physical Therapy Association. The APTA House of Delegates in June of 2009 adopted the revised Standards, which became effective on July 1, 2010, and were updated in 2013. The Guide provides a framework to inform the physical therapist assistants on issues related to professional conduct. These guidelines are subject to change as the dynamics of the profession change and as new patterns of health care delivery are developed and accepted by the professional community and the public (APTA, 2013b). Interpreting ethical standards The interpretations expressed in this Guide reflect the opinions, decisions, and advice of the Ethics and Judicial Committee (EJC) (APTA, 2013b). The interpretations are set forth according to topic. These interpretations are intended to assist a physical therapist assistant in applying general ethical standards to specific situations. They address some, but not all, topics addressed in the Standards and should not be considered inclusive of all situations that could evolve.
This Guide is subject to change, and the EJC will monitor and timely revise the Guide to address additional topics and Standards when necessary and as needed. Preamble to the standards The Preamble states as follows: The Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant (Standards of Ethical Conduct) delineate the ethical obligations of all physical therapist assistants as determined by the House of Delegates of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). The Standards of Ethical Conduct provide a foundation for conduct to which all physical therapist assistants shall adhere. Fundamental to the Standards of Ethical Conduct is the special obligation of physical therapist assistants to enable patients/clients to achieve greater independence, health, and wellness, and enhanced quality of life. No document that delineates ethical standards can address every situation. Physical therapist assistants are encouraged to seek additional advice or consultation in instances where the guidance of the Standards of Ethical Conduct may not be definitive (APTA, 2013d).
Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant The following is from the APTA documents on ethical conduct
The revisions were written, and the word shall added, to make the standards and ethical directives clearer so they could be understood without additional explanation: The Preamble states that “No document that delineates ethical standards can address every situation.” The Preamble also states that physical therapist assistants “are encouraged to seek additional advice or consultation in instances where
(APTA, 2013d). Interpretation
The Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant were amended in 2010 and updated in 2013. The APTA notes that the standards contain the word shall and describes them as mandatory ethical obligations (APTA, 2013b).
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