West Virginia Code of State Rules › Agency 16 - Physical Therapy › Title 16 - LEGISLATIVE RULE WV BOARD OF PHYSICAL THERAPY › Series 16-01 - General Provisions for Physical Therapist and Physical Therapist Assistant › Section 16-1-2 - Definitions

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 28, July 12, 2024
The following words and phrases as used in these rules shall
				  have the following meanings, unless the context otherwise requires:
2.1. "Applicant" means any person making
				application for an original or renewal license or a temporary permit under the
				provisions of the W. Va. Code §
									30-20-1,
				et. seq.
2.2. "Board" means the
				West Virginia Board of Physical Therapy.
2.3. "Business entity" means any firm,
				partnership, association, company, corporation, limited partnership, limited
				liability company or other entity providing physical therapy
				services.
2.4. "Consultation" means
				a physical therapist renders an opinion or advice to another physical therapist
				or health care provider through telecommunications.
2.5. "Direct supervision" means the actual
				physical presence of the physical therapist in the immediate treatment area
				where the treatment is being rendered.
2.6. "Dry Needling" is a skilled technique
				performed by a physical therapist using filiform needles to penetrate the skin
				and/or underlying tissues to affect changes in body structure and functions for
				the evaluation and management of neuro musculoskeletal conditions, pain,
				movement impairments, and disability.
2.7. "General supervision" means the physical
				therapist must be available at least by telecommunications.
2.8. "Immediate treatment area" is defined as
				the area within the physical therapist's direct line of sight or within audible
				distance of the physical therapist and the ability of the physical therapist to
				immediately respond to calls for assistance from the patient or physical
				therapy aide.
2.9. "License" means
				a physical therapist license or license to act as a physical therapist
				assistant issued under the provisions of W. Va. Code §
									30-20-1,
				et. seq.
2.10. "Licensee" means a
				person holding a license under the provisions of the W. Va. Code §
									30-20-1,
				et. seq.
2.11. "On-site
				supervision" means the supervising physical therapist is continuously on-site
				and present in the building where services are provided, is immediately
				available to the person being supervised, and maintains continued involvement
				in appropriate aspects of each treatment session.
2.12. "Originating site" means the location
				of the person receiving care, whether or not accompanied by a physical
				therapist or physical therapist assistant, at the time services are provided
				through telehealth, including but not limited to, an out-patient facility,
				hospital, critical access hospital, rural health clinic, federally qualified
				health center, a patient's home, and other nonmedical environments such as
				school-based health centers, university based health centers, or the work
				location of the patient.
2.13.
				"Permit" or "temporary permit" means a temporary permit issued under the
				provisions of the W. Va. Code §
									30-20-1,
				et. seq.
2.14. "Permittee" means
				any person holding a temporary permit issued pursuant to the provisions of the
				W. Va. Code §
									30-20-1,
				et. seq.
2.15. "Physical
				therapist" means a person engaging in the practice of physical therapy who
				holds a license or permit issued under the provisions of W. Va. Code §
									30-20-1,
				et. seq., and this rule.
2.16.
				"Physical therapist assistant" means a person holding a license or permit
				issued under the provisions of W. Va. Code §
									30-20-1,
				et. seq., and this rule who assists in the practice of physical therapy by
				performing patient related activities delegated to him or her by a physical
				therapist and performs under the supervision of a physical therapist and which
				patient related activities commensurate with his or her education and training,
				including physical therapy procedures, but not the performance of evaluative
				procedures or determination and modification of the patient plan of care.
2.17. "Physical therapy aide"
				means a person trained under the direction of a physical therapist who performs
				designated and routine tasks related to physical therapy services under the
				direction supervision of a physical therapist.
2.17.1. A physical therapy aide works under
				the direct supervision of a physical therapist; provided, that a physical
				therapist assistant may directly supervise a physical therapy aide in emergency
				situations necessary to provide patient safety.