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OFFICE OF DOCUMENTS AND ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUANCES
AND
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
ERRATA NOTICE
The Administrator of the Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances, pursuant to the authority set forth in section 309 of the District of Columbia Administrative Procedure Act, approved October 21, 1968 (82 Stat. 1203; D.C. Official Code § 2-559), and the Director of the Department of Health, pursuant to the authority set forth under § 302 (14) of the District of Columbia Health Occupation Revision Act of 1985, effective March 25, 1986 (D.C. Law 6-99; D.C. Official Code § 3-1203.02 (14)) (Act), and Mayor’s Order 98-140, dated August 20, 1998, hereby gives notice of the following corrections to the text of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR) which was amended by a Notice of Final Rulemaking published in the D.C. Register and issued by the Department of Health on July 25, 2008 at 55 DCR 7949.
The Notice of Final Rulemaking amended Chapter 67, “Physical Therapy,” of Title 17 of the DCMR by substituting the term “physical therapist assistant” for “physical therapy assistant” wherever cited and by substituting the term “physical therapist aide” for “physical therapy aide” wherever cited. It further amended the chapter by redefining the term “direct supervision” and substituting it for the term “general supervision” wherever cited. Further, it amended the chapter by clarifying the standards for the supervision of physical therapist assistants.
This Errata Notice corrects the incorrect use of the term “physical therapist assistants” by changing it to “physical therapy assistants” wherever it appears as it used in the Act. Additionally, this Errata Notice corrects the incorrect use of the term, “physical therapist aide,” by changing it to “physical therapy aide” wherever it appears. Subsections 6710.8, 6710.10 - 6710.11, 6710.14 - 6710.19, 6712, and6799.1 shall read as follows:
Section 6710.8 is amended to read as follows:
6710.8 A physical therapy assistant shall use the letters “PTA” in connection with his or
her name.
Section 6710.10 is amended to read as follows:
6710.10 A physical therapist shall assure the qualifications of all physical therapy students,
physical therapy assistants, physical therapy aides, and first-time applicants
practicing pursuant to § 6711, under his or her direction and supervision.
Section 6710.11 is amended to read as follows:
6710.11 A physical therapist may not have more than a total of three (3) physical therapy
students or physical therapy aides or physical therapy assistants or first-time
applicants for a physical therapy license practicing pursuant to § 6711, under his
or her direct supervision at any one time.
New subsections 6710.14, 6710.15, 6710.16, 6710.17, 6710.18 and 6710.19 are added to read as follows:
6710.14 A licensed physical therapist shall perform the final evaluation for a patient who
has been treated throughout the patient’s history by a physical therapy assistant.
6710.15 A physical therapist shall ensure the qualifications of all physical therapy
assistants under his or her supervision.
6710.16 Before a patient is treated by a physical therapy assistant, a licensed physical
therapist shall evaluate the patient and formulate initial and ongoing treatment
goals and plans.
6710.17 Pursuant to § 6710.16, a licensed physical therapist shall reevaluate each patient being treated by a physical therapy assistant by the seventh (7th) visit and every seventh (7th) visit thereafter,
6710.18 Support personnel shall only perform routine assigned tasks under the direct
supervision of a licensed physical therapist or a licensed physical therapy
assistant, who shall only assign those tasks or activities that are nondiscretionary
and do not require the exercise of professional judgment.
6710.19 A licensed physical therapist shall be fully responsible for any actions by a
physical therapy assistant performing physical therapist functions while under
the physical therapist’s supervision.
Section 6712 is amended to read as follows:
6712 PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSISTANTS AND AIDES
6712.1 A physical therapy assistant or physical therapy aide may perform physical
therapy functions only in accordance with this section.
6712.2 A physical therapy assistant may perform the following functions under the
direct supervision of a physical therapist:
(a) Use of therapeutic exercise, mechanical traction, therapeutic massage,
compression, heat, cold, ultraviolet, water, and electricity;
(b) Measurement and adjustment of crutches, canes, walkers, and wheelchairs,
and instruction in their use and care;
(c) Instruction, motivation, and assistance to patients and others in improving
pulmonary function, learning, and functional activities such as pre-
ambulation, transfer, ambulation and daily living activities; and the use
and care of orthoses, prostheses, and supportive devices;
(d) Modification of treatment procedures as indicated by patient response and
within the limits specified in the plan of care, and reported orally or in
writing to the physical therapist; and
(e) Participation in routine administrative procedures required for a physical
therapy service.
6712.3 A physical therapy aide may perform the following functions under the direct
supervision of a physical therapist:
(a) Gait practice;
(b) Activities of daily living;
(c) Transfer activities;
(d) Hot or cold packs;
(e) Paraffin bath;
(f) Hydrotherapy;
(g) Whirlpool; and
(h) Therapeutic exercises.
6712.4 A physical therapy assistant or physical therapy aide may not perform the
following:
(a) Interpret referrals;
(b) Perform evaluation procedures;
(c) Initiate or adjust treatment programs; or
(d) Assume responsibility for planning patient care.
6712.5 Pursuant to § 6710.12, a physical therapist shall review and co-sign any
documentation written by a physical therapy assistant or physical therapy aide.
Section 6799.1 is amended by ascribing the meanings to the terms set forth below as follows:
Direct supervision - the supervision in which a physical therapist is personally
present and immediately available within the treatment area to give aid, direction,
and instruction when physical therapy procedures or activities are performed
Physical therapy aide - a person trained by a physical therapist to perform
designated routine tasks related to the operation of a physical therapy service
under the direct supervision of a physical therapist.
Physical therapy assistant – a physical therapy assistant who is a person
licensed to practice under the Act.
The text of Chapter 67 of Title 17 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations is corrected in accordance with the intended text of the Rulemaking.
Any questions or comments regarding this notice shall be addressed by mail to Administrator, Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances, 441 4th Street, N.W., Suite 520 South, Washington, D.C. 20001, or via telephone at (202) 727-5090.
