7. Can I provide physical therapy to animals?
In Texas, Chapter 801 of the Veterinary Licensing Act restricts the “diagnosis, treatment, correction, change, manipulation, relief, or prevention of animal disease, deformity, defect, injury, or other physical condition” to persons licensed by the Texas Board of Veterinary Examiners. Therefore, a physical therapist may not provide those services to animals without having a license from […]
6. How does a PT or PTA fit in a “Physical Medicine” setting?
The services a PT may provide, and the rules under which they are provided, are the same regardless of setting. The presence of a physician, or a licensee of any board besides this one, does not effect the requirements for the provision of physical therapy services. If physical therapy is being provided, the facility must […]
5. Can a PTA fit a patient to a new assistive device, such as a wheelchair or crutches?
Yes, provided that the Plan of Care mentions that the patient is to utilize the appropriate assistive device. 8/2008
4. What techniques/procedures are not allowed to be performed by a PTA?
The Texas PT Practice Act/rules do not prohibit a PTA from performing any specific technique/procedure. The supervising PT holds the primary responsibility for all physical therapy care rendered under his/her supervision, and is responsible for assuring that a PTA has the competencies required to perform a technique or procedure that is delegated. Consideration should be […]
3. Can I keep a supply of Dexamethasone (or any other drug used for Iontophoresis or Phonophoresis) in my clinic?
If you use iontophoresis or phonophoresis in your practice, remember that there are restrictions on the control of the drugs used in the process. If the drugs are not under the control of a pharmacy located in the same facility (i.e., in a hospital setting), they must be prescribed and labeled for a specific patient. […]
2. Can a PTA be a Director of Rehab, or own a company that employs PTs to provide physical therapy services?
There is no rule or law in Texas that prohibits a PTA from acting in an administrative capacity in the provision of physical therapy services; therefore, a PTA may work as a Director of Rehab (for example), or own a company that provides physical therapy services. The PTA’s authority and responsibility as employer or administrator […]
1. Is it within the scope of PT practice to promote, provide or sell over-the-counter (OTC) vitamins or supplements to patients?
The sale, promotion or distribution of over-the-counter vitamins or supplements is not within the legal scope of the practice of physical therapy (see §453.005 of the PT Practice Act). The Board discourages licensees from promoting or selling such products to their physical therapy patients, as patients may be unduly influenced by the patient/PT relationship into […]
5. Can a PT accept a referral from a physician outside the US?
Yes. The Board amended §321.1, Provision of Services, several years ago to allow a PT to accept a referral from a “qualified healthcare practitioner licensed by the appropriate licensing board.” The PT accepting the referral is responsible for ensuring that the practitioner is legally able to practice in that country, and legally authorized to write […]
4. Can I treat based on a verbal order?
Yes, if you do so according to the requirements for recording, signing, and content as set forth in §322.1(a)(3), Methods of Referral. An order may be recorded by a PT, PTA, or any authorized person (such as another professional, an aide, or a secretary) as long as the required information is present. This protects the […]
3. Is there a limit on how long a referral is valid?
There is NO specific length of time a referral is valid or good; the Board leaves it to the professional judgment of the PT to determine whether the referral is valid. If you have doubts, you should contact the referral source, as the Board has no rules addressing this question.