Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 30 - Professions and Occupations › Part 3103 - Licensure, Practice, Renewal, Continuing Education, Standard of Conduct And Fee › Chapter 8 - Physical Therapist Assistant › Rule 30-3103-8.2 - Direction and Supervision of the physical therapist assistant

Current through June 25, 2024
1. Supervision Standards. A
				Mississippi-licensed physical therapist may delegate the performance of
				selected acts, tasks, functions, or interventions to a Mississippi licensed
				physical therapist assistant. The physical therapist shall, however, at all
				times be responsible for the physical therapy plan of care and instructions
				provided to the physical therapist assistant; interpretation of referrals;
				oversight of all documentation for services rendered to each client or patient;
				providing direct care to the patient; and assuring that the physical therapist
				assistant does not function autonomously. The supervising physical therapist
				shall, at a minimum:
a. Ensure that the
				assignment of responsibilities to the physical therapist assistant is
				commensurate with his or her qualifications, including training, education,
				skill level, and experience. In cases when the supervising physical therapist
				is the direct employer of the physical therapist assistant, the physical
				therapist shall ensure that the physical therapist assistant holds a valid and
				current Mississippi license.
b.
				Examine and evaluate the patient or client to establish a physical therapy
				diagnosis, treatment goals, frequency, duration, and plan of care before
				delegating tasks or interventions to be performed by a physical therapist
				assistant -- the initial evaluation.
c. Before a patient is treated by the
				physical therapist assistant, evaluate the patient and establish a written plan
				of care to include the treatment initial and ongoing treatment program goals
				and plans for the patient or client, the elements of the plan of care to be
				delegated to the physical therapist assistant and predetermined procedures and
				protocols for acts, tasks, functions, or interventions delegated to the
				physical therapist assistant.
d.
				Review the patient plan of care, treatment goals and delegated tasks with the
				physical therapist assistant before the physical therapist assistant provides
				care to a patient for the first time.
e. The supervising physical therapist shall
				be readily available in person or by telecommunication to the physical
				therapist assistant at all times for advice, assistance and instruction while
				the physical therapist assistant is treating patients or clients or providing
				physical therapy services.
f. Hold
				regularly scheduled and documented in meetings and case conferences with the
				physical therapist assistant to evaluate the assistant's performance, review
				records and changes in plan of care, and assess the plan of care. The frequency
				of the meetings and case conferences is to be determined by the supervising
				physical therapist based upon the needs of the patient; the supervisory needs
				of the physical therapist assistant; and prior to any planned discharge.
				Notwithstanding the aforesaid, meetings and case conferences must take place at
				least once every sixth physical therapist assistant visit or at least once
				every thirtieth (30th) calendar day, whichever
				occurs first and be documented in the patient or client record.
g. Reevaluate the patient as previously
				determined during the initial evaluation, or more often if necessary, and
				modify the treatment, goals and plan as needed. The physical therapist
				assistant shall not alter a treatment plan or program without the prior
				evaluation by, and approval of, the supervising physical therapist. A
				supervising physical therapist must, however, re-evaluate and render personal
				treatment to a patient receiving physical therapy services from a physical
				therapist assistant a minimum of least once every sixth (6th) physical
				therapist assistant visit or at least once every or thirtieth
				(30th ) calendar day, whichever occurs
				first.
h. Treat and assess the
				patient or client for his or her final treatment session, establish a discharge
				plan and write a discharge summary/status. If the supervising physical
				therapist is unable to carry out the provisions of this paragraph due to an
				emergency or unforeseen situation, an explanation of the circumstances
				constituting the emergency or unforeseen event must be documented in the
				treatment record of such patient.