2005 Minnesota Statutes - 148.65 — Definitions.

     148.65 Definitions. 


    Subdivision 1.    Physical therapy.  As used in sections 
 148.65 to 148.78 the term "physical therapy" means the 
 evaluation or treatment or both of any person by the employment 
 of physical measures and the use of therapeutic exercises and 
 rehabilitative procedures, with or without assistive devices, 
 for the purpose of preventing, correcting, or alleviating a 
 physical or mental disability.  Physical measures shall include 
 but shall not be limited to heat or cold, air, light, water, 
 electricity and sound.  Physical therapy includes evaluation 
 other than medical diagnosis, treatment planning, treatment, 
 documentation, performance of appropriate tests and measurement, 
 interpretation of orders or referrals, instruction, consultative 
 services, and supervision of supportive personnel.  "Physical 
 therapy" does not include the practice of medicine as defined in 
 section 147.081, or the practice of chiropractic as defined in 
 section 148.01.  


    Subd. 2.    Physical therapist.  "Physical therapist" 
 means a person who practices physical therapy as defined in 
 sections 148.65 to 148.78.  


    Subd. 3.    Physical therapist assistant.  "Physical 
 therapist assistant" means a graduate of a physical therapist 
 assistant educational program accredited by the Commission on 
 Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) or a 
 recognized comparable national accrediting agency approved by 
 the board.  The physical therapist assistant, under the 
 direction and supervision of the physical therapist, performs 
 physical therapy interventions and assists with coordination, 
 communication, and documentation; and patient-client-related 
 instruction.  The physical therapist is not required to be 
 on-site except as required under Minnesota Rules, part 
 5601.1500, but must be easily available by telecommunications. 


    Subd. 4.    Physical therapy aide.  "Physical therapy 
 aide" means a person, working under the direct supervision of a 
 physical therapist, who is not a physical therapist assistant as 
 defined in subdivision 3, who performs tasks as provided under 
 Minnesota Rules, part 5601.1400. 


    Subd. 5.    Student physical therapist.  "Student 
 physical therapist" means a person in a professional educational 
 program, approved by the board under section 148.705, who is 
 satisfying supervised clinical education requirements by 
 performing physical therapy under the on-site supervision of a 
 licensed physical therapist.  "On-site supervision" means the 
 physical therapist is easily available for instruction to the 
 student physical therapist.  The physical therapist shall have 
 direct contact with the patient during at least every second 
 treatment session by the student physical therapist.  
 Telecommunications, except within the facility, does not meet 
 the requirement of on-site supervision. 


    Subd. 6.    Student physical therapist assistant.  
 "Student physical therapist assistant" means a person in a 
 physical therapist assistant educational program accredited by 
 the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education 
 (CAPTE) or a recognized comparable national accrediting agency 
 approved by the board.  The student physical therapist 
 assistant, under the direct supervision of the physical 
 therapist, or the direct supervision of the physical therapist 
 and physical therapist assistant, performs physical therapy 
 interventions and assists with coordination, communication, 
 documentation, and patient-client-related instruction.  "Direct 
 supervision" means the physical therapist is physically present 
 and immediately available to provide instruction to the student 
 physical therapist assistant. 


    Subd. 7.    Supportive personnel.  "Supportive personnel"
 means a physical therapist assistant and a physical therapy aide.


    HIST: 1951 c 479 s 1; 1980 c 412 s 1; 1985 c 182 s 1; 1987 c 
 384 art 2 s 1; 2005 c 147 art 2 s 1-5