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- Which PTA notes need co-signature from the supervising PT?
See the New Hampshire Physical Therapy Practice Act, RSA 328-A:11 Obligations of Licensees. "IV: A physical therapist assistant shall work under a physical therapist’s general supervision. A physical therapist assistant shall document care provided and shall report to a supervising physical therapist any status in a patient requiring a change in the plan of care. The supervising physical therapist shall review and co-sign all notes during each re-evaluation."
With these guidelines, any note (daily, weekly, progress report, etc.) written by a PTA must be reviewed and co-signed during each physical therapy re-evaluation. For those facilities using electronic medical records, it is not possible to add information (a co-signature) after the fact. The governing board recommends that the supervising PT document that all previous PTA notes have been read and acknowledged.
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- It has come to my attention that in several different settings, the PTA is completing the discharge summary, signing it, and then the PT is co-signing the note. Is this within the limits of the practice act? According to the Rules and Regulations 806.05 (9), the PT performs the final evaluation and establishes the follow-up plan of care. It does not say that the PT has to personally actually write the discharge summary/note. I would appreciate clarification.
In response to the question of a license physical therapist assistant completing a discharge summary, the board determined that if by definition the summary is a recitation of the facts and no interpretation, analysis or judgement of follow up care is provided, the PTA can write up a summary. It is however the responsibility of the licensed physical therapist to determine any decision of follow up care in a discharge summary.
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- Are there any guidelines for student supervision?
The responsibility of supervision for the actions and services provided by the student in a clinical affiliation lies with the New Hampshire licensed physical therapist supervising the student. The Governing Board has no rules in place for student supervision.
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- Is there a proper way for licensees to identify themselves?
A physical therapist shall use the letters "PT" immediately following the physical therapist’s name. This is the legal designation that identifies you as a New Hampshire licensee regardless of other credentials or academic degrees earned. For example Tucker Smith, PT, MPT,DPT, OCS,CLT ect. The same format applies to physical therapy assistants. You may want to refer to the New Hampshire Physical Therapy Practice Act RSA 328-A and the APTA Guidelines for further information on identification.
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- What is the Governing Board’s position on animal physical therapy or animal rehabilitation.
Treatment to other than humans is not supported in the Scope of Practice in the New Hampshire Physical Therapy Practice Act, RSA 328-A. It is the position of the Governing Board that the term physical therapy is not to be applied when caring for animals or providing animal rehabilitation. If one chooses by further education to enter into the field of animal rehabilitation, they provide the services under the direction and supervision of a veterinarian. The term physical therapy is not to be referred directly with or inferred in treatment or rehabilitation of animals.
The term physical therapy is a term protected by law and can only be used in the treatment of human patients. See RSA 328-A:10, II.
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- Can I earn continuing education for courses taken for animal rehabilitation.
Courses in animal rehabilitation do not meet continuing education requirements for renewal of a New Hampshire physical therapy license.
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- What is Physical Therapy?
Physical Therapy is the testing, examining and evaluation of individuals for impairments, movement dysfunctions and disabilities to determine a diagnosis, and plan of care to alleviate those impairments, movement dysfunctions, or disabilities. This is done through a variety of interventions including soft tissue and joint mobilization, individually designed exercise programs, and the use of modalities.
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- What is a Physical Therapist and Physical Therapist Assistant?
A New Hampshire licensed Physical therapist is a highly educated and skilled professional specializing in physical therapy. The Physical therapist works in cooperation other health professionals, as an integral member of the health care team in hospitals, private clinics, secondary schools, and other health care settings.
A New Hampshire licensed Physical Therapist Assistant is someone who provides therapy under the supervision of a New Hampshire licensed physical therapist.
Physical therapists have at minimum, a bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy, which includes human anatomy, and physiology, bio-mechanics, kinesiology and physical therapy theory, courses in examination, evaluation, diagnosis, and physical disabilities interventions for adults and pediatrics. Clinical internships done under appropriate supervision provide the practical component of training and education. Graduates must successfully pass the national examination.
Physical Therapist Assistants have at minimum an associate’s degree in Physical Therapy, and complete a practical clinical affiliation. Graduates must successfully pass the national examination.
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- Is a New Hampshire license required?
There are two laws, which govern applicants for licensure. Allied Health law, RSA 328-F and Physical Therapy law RSA 328-A. All persons, who provide Physical therapy services in New Hampshire, must be licensed by the Physical Therapy Governing Board.
Licensees are also held to nationally recognized professional and ethical standards.
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- What are Licensure Qualifications for US and Foreign Educated Graduates?
- Successful completion of approved academic and fieldwork requirements
- Taking and passing a national certification exam
- Foreign educated graduates need TOEFL, TWE and SE
- Foreign educated must have credentials evaluated with FCCPT
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- What is the Physical Therapy Governing Board?
It is a regulatory board charged to administer and regulate the licensing process for the practice of Physical therapy under the provisions of the laws and rules of RSA 328-A and RSA 328-F. The Board is responsible for protecting the health, safety and welfare of individuals who receive physical therapy services in New Hampshire.
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- What Does the Physical Therapy Governing Board Do?
Members meet monthly to conduct Board business and:
- Develop policy and set standards of practice
- Review applications and issue licenses to qualified applicants
- Investigate complaints.
- Take appropriate disciplinary action when violations are found to have occurred.
- Monitor and enforce continuing education requirements.
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- How Is the Board Organized?
The five-member Board is made up of two licensed Physical Therapists, one Physical Therapist Assistant, and two public members who are appointed by the Governor.
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- How does the Board Monitor Competency of Licensees?
The Board requires continuing education of the licensee for every two-year renewal cycle. The purpose of continuing education is to enhance and update professional skills in ever changing technologies in order to provide appropriate physical therapy services.
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- How are Complaints Filed?
A person who wishes to file a complaint, should contact the Board to inquire as to what information the board will need. When the complaint is received, the board will review it. If the board determines that the complaint is within their jurisdiction, the board will investigate further.
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- When Does the Board Take Disciplinary Action?
When an physical therapist or physical therapy assistant has been found guilty of:
- practicing physical therapy in a manner detrimental to the public health and welfare;
- obtaining or attempting to obtain a license by fraud or deception;
- engaging in unprofessional conduct as defined by the board;
- gross negligence or incompetence.
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