OAR 848-020-0060: Prohibited Treatment-Related Tasks

A physical therapist or physical therapist assistant shall not permit an aide to perform any of the following treatment-related tasks: (1) Administer iontophoresis. However, an aide who has been trained to do so may assist with iontophoresis by applying the medication to the electrode so long as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant administers it to the patient. (2) Administer phonophoresis. However, an aide may operate the sound head if the physical therapist or physical therapist assistant has applied the medication to the patient, determined the treatment protocols and parameters, as provided in the plan of care, and authorizes the aide to provide the treatment. (3) Administer electrotherapy. However an aide may perform this task if the physical therapist or physical therapist assistant has examined the patient in person on the day of treatment and determined the electrode placements, treatment protocols and parameters, as provided in the plan of care, and authorizes the aide to provide the treatment. (4) Administer ultrasound. However an aide may perform this task if the physical therapist or physical therapist assistant has examined the patient in person on the day of treatment and determined the treatment protocols and parameters, as provided in the plan of care, and authorizes the aide to provide the treatment. (5) Administer mechanized or manual traction. (6) Perform manual stretching with the goal of increasing range of motion, neuro-facilitation or cardiac therapeutic exercise. (7) Perform soft tissue mobilization or massage (other than effleurage and petrissage). However, an aide who is separately licensed or registered under another Oregon statute to do so may perform these tasks if done under the direction and on-site supervision specified in OAR 848-020-0000(5)(a). (8) Wound debridement. (9) Administer tilt table or standing frame. However an aide may perform these tasks if the physical therapist or physical therapist assistant has examined the patient in person on the day of treatment and determined the treatment protocols and parameters, as provided in the plan of care, and authorizes the aide to provide the treatment. (10) Joint mobilization or manipulation. (11) Determine or modify a plan of care. (12) Initiate or administer a physical therapy intervention the first time that intervention is administered or provided to a patient. This prohibition means that a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant must provide or administer the entire specific intervention before delegating that task to an aide. (13) Independently make entries in a patient record, except for objective information about the treatment provided by the aide. The aide shall sign the record entry as provided in OAR 848-040-0150(2). A physical therapist or physical therapist assistant may also dictate information to an aide for entry into a patient medical record, so long as the physical therapist or physical therapist assistant authenticates such entries. (14) Instruct a patient or a patient's caregiver in the application of any treatment. (15) Except as required to respond to an inquiry by the Board or other person authorized to receive the information, answer or discuss any questions regarding a patient's status or treatment with anyone other than the physical therapist or physical therapist assistant.