14) PTA

Question 1

PTA

Answer 1

Educated HCP who assists the PT in the provision of PT

• Must be a grad of a PTA accredited program

Question 2

Who provides accepted professional standards for PTA’s? Who governs them?

Answer 2

APTA provides professional guidelines; State board governs them

Question 3

According to the APTA, who is the only person allowed to assist a PT w/selected interventions under the direction and supervision of said PT?

Answer 3

PTA’s

Question 4

True or False: In some states, OTA’s can take the OT exam

Answer 4

True

Question 5

What do PT’s have the responsibility to do and how do they do this?

Answer 5

Responsible to: Deliver services in ways that protect the public and maximize the availability of their services

• Do this through the direct delivery of services in conjunction w/responsible use of PTA’s to assist them w/selected components of interventions

Question 6

True or False: PTA’s cannot initiate tx under a physician’s or other HCP’s direction without the supervision of a PT?

Answer 6

True

Question 7

What are the PT’s responsibilities?

Answer 7

1. Interpretation of referrals when available
2. IE, eval, dx, and px
3. Devo/modify POC including goals and projected outcomes
4. Determine when a case warrants the expertise of a PT vs delegation to the PTA
5. Re-evals
6. Establish d/c plan
7. Oversee documentation of all services provided

• CAN DELEGATE BUT NOT ABDICATE!

Question 8

What are some things to consider when determining a PTA’s level of involvement?

Answer 8

• PTA’s education, training, experience, and skill level
• Pt complexity
• Predictability of the consequences
• Setting
• Federal and State Statutes
• Liability and Risk Management Concerns
• Mission of the PT services for the setting
• Frequency of Re-evals

Question 9

True or False: Every state has different rules for what PTA’s can and can’t do?

Answer 9

True

Question 10

Describe the rules for PTA’s completing documentation

Answer 10

• PTA’s can document; PT needs to review and cosign the note contemporaneously
  
  • PTA and PT must review the pt’s file at least 1x every 30 days, which should be documented via PT signature
    
    • It’s the PTA’s responsibility to get the signature
    • As a PT, do not sign if you didn’t review; That’s your license on the line

Question 11

What parts of an eval can PTA’s do?

Answer 11

Data Collection as determined by the PT

• PT’s interpret the findings and do the overall assessment

Question 12

True or False: PTA’s cannot eval, examine, dx, px, make/modify POC, or do any PT instruction including recommendation of AD’s or modification to pt’s environment

Answer 12

True

Question 13

What is the PT:PTA ratio in NJ?

Answer 13

1:2

Question 14

If there is a change in supervising PT, who assumes the responsibility for supervising the PTA?

Answer 14

The New Supervising PT

Question 15

In an emergency where the supervising PT won’t be reachable, is the PTA allowed to practice?

Answer 15

Yes, but only for pt’s who they have tx’ed before during their scheduled tx time

Question 16

What are the requirements for availability of the supervising PT for the PTA to practice?

Answer 16

Supervising PT must be available via electronic communications at all times (General Supervision)

Question 17

When does the supervising PT need to review the POC w/the PTA?

Answer 17

• Before they tx the pt for the 1st time
• Before a new/revised POC is implemented
• If there’s a new supervising PT, before the pt’s next visit

Question 18

How many CEU’s do PTA’s need to do?

Answer 18

30 credits every 2 yrs

Question 19

Are PTA’s allowed to take classes that are considered entry-level skills for PT’s?

Answer 19

Yes