The purpose and effect of the rule amendment is to set forth supervision responsibilities of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, providing patients with supervised care when working with students/trainees.

 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Board of Physical Therapy Practice

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

64B17-6.001Minimum Standards of Physical Therapy Practice

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose and effect of the rule amendment is to set forth supervision responsibilities of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, providing patients with supervised care when working with students/trainees.

SUMMARY: The amendments clarify physical therapist and physical therapist assistant supervision responsibilities over student/trainees.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: During discussion of the economic impact of this rule at its Board meeting, the Board concluded that this rule change will not have any impact on licensees and their businesses or the businesses that employ them. The rule will not increase any fees, business costs, personnel costs, will not decrease profit opportunities, and will not require any specialized knowledge to comply. This change will not increase any direct or indirect regulatory costs. Hence, the Board determined that a Statement of Estimated Regulatory Costs (SERC) was not necessary and that the rule will not require ratification by the Legislature. No person or interested party submitted additional information regarding the economic impact at that time.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 486.025 FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 486.021(5), (6), (9), (10), (11), 486.031, 486.102, 486.123, 486.125(1), 486.161(3), 486.171 FS.

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN THE FAR.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Allen Hall, Executive Director, Board of Physical Therapy Practice, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C05, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3253

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

64B17-6.001 Minimum Standards of Physical Therapy Practice.

(1) Definitions – For purposes of this rule only, the words and phrases listed below are defined in the following manner:

(a) through (e) No change.

(f) General supervision – Supervision of a physical therapist assistant, other than by direct supervision, whereby the physical therapist is accessible at all times by two-way communication, available, to respond to an inquiry when made, and readily available for consultation during the delivery of care, and is within the same geographic location as the physical therapist assistant.

(g) through (i) No change.

(2) No change

(3) Physical Therapist Responsibilities. Physical therapists shall:

(a) through (f) No change.

(g) When participating in student and/or trainee programs, ensure that the academic programs are accredited or in candidacy by the appropriate accrediting agency recognized by statute, and that the physical therapist provides on-site supervision when students are performing patient care activities. When participating in student and/or trainee programs, assure that the programs are approved or pending approval by the appropriate accrediting agency recognized by statute.

(h) No change.

(4) Physical Therapist Assistant Responsibilities. Physical therapist assistants shall:

(a) through (f) No change.

(g) When participating in student and/or trainee programs, ensure that the academic programs are accredited or in candidacy by the appropriate accrediting agency recognized by statute, and that the physical therapist assistant provides on-site supervision when students are performing patient care activities. When participating in student and/or trainee programs, assure that the programs are approved or pending approval by the appropriate accrediting agency recognized by statute.

(5) through (7) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 486.025 FS. Law Implemented 486.021(5), (6), (9), (10), (11), 486.031, 486.102, 486.123, 486.125(1), 486.161(3), 486.171 FS. History–New 8-6-84, Formerly 21M-9.30, Amended 9-22-87, Formerly 21M-9.030, Amended 9-5-90, 3-5-92, 3-24-93, Formerly 21MM-6.001, 61F11-6.001, Amended 8-16-95, Formerly 59Y-6.001, Amended 1-8-98, 1-11-99, 4-18-04, 6-1-09, 2-18-16,                    .

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Board of Physical Therapy Practice

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Board of Physical Therapy Practice

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: February 2, 2017

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: February 15, 2017