PDFWAC 246-915-010
Definitions.
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context indicates otherwise:
(1) "Board" means the Washington state board of physical therapy.
(2) "CAPTE" means the commission on accreditation for physical therapy education.
(3) "Close supervision" means that the supervisor has personally diagnosed the condition to be treated and has personally authorized the procedures to be performed. The supervisor is continuously on-site and physically present in the operatory while the procedures are performed and capable of responding immediately in the event of an emergency.
(4) "Consultation" means a communication regarding a patient's evaluation and proposed treatment plan with an authorized health care practitioner.
(5) "Department" means the Washington state department of health.
(6) "Direct supervision" means the supervisor shall:
(a) Be continuously on-site and present where the person being supervised is performing services;
(b) Be immediately available to assist the person being supervised in the services being performed; and
(c) Maintain continued involvement in appropriate aspects of each treatment session in which a component of treatment is delegated to assistive personnel or is required to be directly supervised under RCW 18.74.180.
(7) "Indirect supervision" means the supervisor is not on the premises, but has given either written or oral instructions for treatment of the patient and the patient has been examined by the physical therapist at such time as acceptable health care practice requires, and consistent with the particular delegated health care task.
(8) "NPTE" means the National Physical Therapy Examination.
(9) "Other assistive personnel" means other trained or educated health care personnel, not defined in subsection (13)(a) or (b) of this section, who perform specific designated tasks that are related to physical therapy and within their license, scope of practice, or formal education, under the supervision of a physical therapist including, but not limited to, licensed massage therapists, licensed athletic trainers, and exercise physiologists. At the direction of the supervising physical therapist, and if properly credentialed and not prohibited by any other law, other assistive personnel may be identified by the title specific to their license, training or education.
(10) "Physical therapist" means a person who meets all the requirements of this chapter and is licensed as a physical therapist under chapter 18.74 RCW.
(11) "Sharp debridement" means the removal of devitalized tissue from a wound with scissors, scalpel, and tweezers without anesthesia. Sharp debridement does not mean surgical debridement.
(12) "Spinal manipulation" includes spinal manipulation, spinal manipulative therapy, high velocity thrust maneuvers, and grade five mobilizations of the spine and its immediate articulations.
(13) "Trained supportive personnel" means:
(a) "Physical therapist assistant" means a person who meets all the requirements of this chapter and is licensed as a physical therapist assistant and who performs physical therapy procedures and related tasks that have been selected and delegated only by the supervising physical therapist; or
(b) "Physical therapy aide" means an unlicensed person who receives ongoing on-the-job training and assists a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant in providing physical therapy patient care and who does not meet the definition of a physical therapist, physical therapist assistant, or other assistive personnel. A physical therapy aide may directly assist in the implementation of therapeutic interventions, but may not alter or modify the plan of therapeutic interventions and may not perform any procedure or task which only a physical therapist may perform under this chapter.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.74.023, chapter 18.74 RCW and 2018 c 222. WSR 20-06-029, § 246-915-010, filed 2/26/20, effective 3/28/20. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.74.023 and chapter 18.74 RCW, RCW 18.340.020. WSR 18-15-067, § 246-915-010, filed 7/17/18, effective 8/17/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.74.023. WSR 08-17-026, § 246-915-010, filed 8/13/08, effective 8/13/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.74.023 (3), (6) and (7). WSR 04-13-052, § 246-915-010, filed 6/11/04, effective 7/12/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.280. WSR 98-05-060, § 246-915-010, filed 2/13/98, effective 3/16/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.74.023. WSR 92-08-039 (Order 259B), § 246-915-010, filed 3/24/92, effective 4/24/92; WSR 91-05-094 (Order 144B), § 246-915-010, filed 2/20/91, effective 3/23/91; WSR 91-02-011 (Order 103B), recodified as § 246-915-010, filed 12/21/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.74.023(3). WSR 89-21-007, § 308-42-010, filed 10/6/89, effective 11/6/89; WSR 88-23-014 (Order PM 789), § 308-42-010, filed 11/7/88. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.74.023. WSR 84-13-057 (Order PL 471), § 308-42-010, filed 6/19/84; Order PL 191, § 308-42-010, filed 5/29/75; Order 704207, § 308-42-010, filed 8/7/70, effective 9/15/70.]