Guide for Conduct of the Physical Therapist AssistantThis Guide for Conduct of the Physical Therapist Assistant (Guide) is intended to serve physical therapist assistants in interpreting the Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant (Standards) of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). The Guide provides guidelines by which physical therapist assistants may determine the propriety of their conduct. It is also intended to guide the development of physical therapist assistant students. The Standards and Guide apply to all physical therapist assistants. These guidelines are subject to change as the dynamics of the profession change and as new patterns of health care delivery are developed and accepted by the professional community and the public. This Guide is subject to monitoring and timely revision by the Ethics and Judicial Committee of the Association. Interpreting Standards The interpretations expressed in this Guide reflect the opinions, decisions, and advice of the Ethics and Judicial Committee. These interpretations are intended to guide a physical therapist assistant in applying general ethical principles to specific situations. They should not be considered inclusive of all situations that a physical therapist assistant may encounter. STANDARD 1 A physical therapist assistant shall respect the rights and dignity of all individuals and shall provide compassionate care. 1.1 Attitude of a physical therapist assistant A.A physical therapist assistant shall recognize, respect and respond to individual and cultural difference with compassion and sensitivity. B.A physical therapist assistant shall be guided at all times by concern for the physical and psychological welfare of patients/clients. C.A physical therapist assistant shall not harass, abuse, or discriminate against others. STANDARD 2 A physical therapist assistant shall act in a trustworthy manner towards patients/clients.2.1Trustworthiness A.The physical therapist assistant shall always place the patients/clients interest(s) above those of the physical therapist assistant. Working in the patient’s/client’s best interest requires sensitivity to the patient’s/client’s vulnerability and an effective working relationship between the physical therapist and the physical therapist assistant. B.A physical therapist assistant shall not exploit any aspect of the physical therapist assistant – patient/client relationship. C.A physical therapist assistant shall clearly identify him/herself as a physical therapist assistant to patients/clients. D.A physical therapist assistant shall conduct him/herself in a manner that supports the physical therapist – patient/client relationship. E.A physical therapist assistant shall not engage in any sexual relationship or activity, whether consensual or nonconsensual, with any patient/client entrusted to his/her care. F.A physical therapist assistant shall not invite, accept, or offer gifts or other considerations that affect or give an appearance of affecting his/her provision of physical therapy interventions. See Section 6.3 2.2Exploitation of Patients A physical therapist assistant shall not participate in any arrangements in which patients/clients are exploited. Such arrangements include situations where referring sources enhance their personal incomes by referring to or recommending physical therapy services. 2.3Truthfulness A.A physical therapist assistant shall not make statements that he/she knows or should know are false, deceptive, fraudulent, or misleading. B.Although it cannot be considered unethical for a physical therapist assistant to own or have a financial interest in the production, sale, or distribution of products/services, he/she must act in accordance with law and make full disclosure of his/her interest to patients/clients. 2.4 Confidential Information A.Information relating to the patient/client is confidential and shall not be communicated to a third party not involved in that patient’s/client’s care without the prior consent of the patient/client, subject to applicable law. B.A physical therapist assistant shall refer all requests for release of confidential information to the supervising physical therapist. STANDARD 3 A physical therapist assistant shall provide selected physical therapy interventions only under the supervision and direction of a physical therapist. 3.1Supervisory Relationship A.A physical therapist assistant shall provide interventions only under the supervision and direction of a physical therapist. B.A physical therapist assistant shall provide only those interventions that have been selected by the physical therapist. C.A physical therapist assistant shall not provide any interventions that are outside his/her education, training, experience, or skill, and shall notify the responsible physical therapist of his/her inability to carry out the intervention. See Sections 5.1 and 6.1B D.A physical therapist assistant may modify specific interventions within the plan of care established by the physical therapist in response to changes in the patient’s/client’s status. E.A physical therapist assistant shall not perform examinations and evaluations, determine diagnoses and prognoses, or establish or change a plan of care. F.Consistent with the physical therapist assistant’s education, training, knowledge, and experience, he/she may respond to the patient’s/client’s inquiries regarding interventions that are within the established plan of care. G.A physical therapist assistant shall have regular and ongoing communication with the physical therapist regarding the patient’s/client’s status. STANDARD 4 A physical therapist assistant shall comply with laws and regulations governing physical therapy. 4.1Supervision A physical therapist assistant shall know and comply with applicable law. Regardless of the content of any law, a physical therapist assistant shall provide services only under the supervision and direction of a physical therapist. 4.2Representation A physical therapist assistant shall not hold him/herself out as a physical therapist. STANDARD 5 A physical therapist assistant shall achieve and maintain competence in the provision of selected physical therapy interventions. 5.1Competence A physical therapist assistant shall provide interventions consistent with his/her level of education, training, experience, and skill. See Sections 3.1C and 6.1 B 5.2Self-assessment A physical therapist assistant shall engage in self-assessment in order to maintain competence. 5.3Development A physical therapist assistant shall participate in educational activities that enhance his/her basic knowledge and skills. STANDARD 6 A physical therapist assistant shall make judgments that are commensurate with their educational and legal qualifications as a physical therapist assistant. 6.1 Patient Safety A.A physical therapist assistant shall discontinue immediately any interventions(s) that, in his/her judgment, may be harmful to the patient/client and shall discuss his/her concerns with the physical therapist. B.A physical therapist assistant shall not provide any interventions that are outside his/her education, training, experience, or skill and shall notify the responsible physical therapist of his/her inability to carry out the intervention. See Sections 3.1C and 5.1. C.A physical therapist assistant shall not perform interventions while his/her ability to do so safely is impaired. 6.2 Judgments of Patient/Client Status If in the judgment of the physical therapist assistant, there is a change in the patient/client status he/she shall report this to the responsible physical therapist. See Section 3.1. 6.3Gifts and Other Considerations A physical therapist assistant shall not invite, accept, or offer gifts, monetary incentives or other consideration that affect or give an appearance of affecting his/her provision of physical therapy interventions. See Section 2.1F. STANDARD 7 A physical therapist assistant shall protect the public and the profession from unethical, incompetent, and illegal acts. 7.1Consumer Protection A physical therapist assistant shall report any conduct that appears to be unethical or illegal. 7.2Organizational Employment A.A physical therapist assistant shall inform his/her employer(s) and/or appropriate physical therapist of any employer practice that causes him or her to be in conflict with the Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant. B.A physical therapist assistant shall not engage in any activity that puts him or her in conflict with the Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant, regardless of directives from a physical therapist or employer.
American Physical Therapy Association October 1981 Last Amended February 2004 [Last updated: 2/04 | Contact: ejc@apta.org]
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