Under whose supervision must a PTA perform patient-related activities?

A physical therapist assistant (PTA) must perform patient-related activities under the general supervision of a licensed physical therapist (PT). This means that while a PT does not need to be physically present at all times, they must be available for consultation, guidance, and assessment of the PTA’s performance and the care being provided. This supervisory relationship is crucial for ensuring that the interventions and treatments administered by the PTA comply with professional standards and are safe for patients.

General supervision allows for flexibility in setting and managing physical therapy care. The PT can oversee multiple patients and PTAs, ensuring efficient operations while still ensuring that PTAs are operating within their scope of practice. This arrangement is particularly essential in settings where patient volume is high, allowing the PT to focus on more complex cases while delegating tasks appropriately to the PTA.

Other options misrepresent the supervision requirements for PTAs. Direct supervision by a physician is not necessary, as the supervising professional must be a licensed PT. No supervision implies that a PTA could operate independently, which is not compliant with the practice regulations that protect patient safety and care standards. Lastly, direct onsite supervision of any healthcare provider is overly broad, as it does not specify that the supervising individual must be a licensed PT, which is a statutory requirement