Alabama PT Jurisprudence flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Scope of Physical Therapy

Evaluation, treatment, and prevention of physical disability, injury, and pain using physical and mechanical means such as exercise, massage, heat, cold, water, electricity, and light.

Physical Therapist Assistant Role

A licensed provider who performs selected interventions and data collection under PT direction and supervision, but may not evaluate, diagnose, or establish or alter the plan of care.

Physical Therapy Aide

An unlicensed worker who performs only non-skilled, non-clinical tasks such as transport or clerical duties and may not provide skilled therapy interventions or patient instruction.

Restricted Titles

The terms physical therapist, PT, physical therapist assistant, and PTA may be used only by individuals holding a current Alabama license.

Board Composition

The Alabama Board of Physical Therapy includes physical therapist, physical therapist assistant, and public members appointed by the Governor to regulate licensure and practice.

Board Rulemaking Authority

The Board adopts rules under state administrative procedure, publishing proposed rules for public comment before they become enforceable.

Disciplinary Hearing Rights

A licensee facing discipline receives notice of charges and an opportunity for a hearing, with the right to counsel and to present evidence.

Board Sanctions

Available penalties include reprimand, probation, suspension, revocation, civil penalties, and conditions placed on the license to practice.

Continuing Education Requirement

Licensees must complete Board-specified continuing education hours per renewal cycle and retain documentation for audit.

Lapsed License Practice

Practicing on an expired license is prohibited; reinstatement typically requires late fees, additional continuing education, or other Board conditions.

License Nontransferable

A license belongs only to the named holder; practicing on another's license or allowing another to use one's license is prohibited.

Name and Address Reporting

Licensees must notify the Board of changes to name or address within the timeframe established by Board rule.

PT Responsibility for Delegation

The physical therapist remains responsible for the patient's care and for all services delegated to a physical therapist assistant or aide.

Plan of Care Authority

Only the physical therapist may perform the evaluation, establish the plan of care, and modify that plan based on reassessment.

PTA Supervision Standard

The supervising PT must be available for consultation and provide periodic reassessment and oversight consistent with patient acuity and Board rules.

Aide Task Limits

Aides may not perform skilled interventions or instruct patients in therapeutic procedures; duties are limited to non-skilled support tasks.

Documentation Elements

The record must contain examination findings, evaluation, diagnosis, plan of care, interventions, patient response, and a discharge summary.

Informed Consent Elements

Consent requires disclosure of the nature of treatment, expected benefits, material risks, and alternatives, documented in the patient record.

Record Correction Method

Errors are corrected with a single line, date, and initials so the original entry remains legible; entries may not be obliterated or altered.

Record Retention

Patient records must be kept for the period required by state law and Board rule and must be available for Board inspection.

Limited Direct Access

Alabama allows treatment without physician referral for a defined period, after which a referral or physician involvement is required.

Red Flag Referral Duty

The PT must screen for contraindications and refer patients to an appropriate provider when findings suggest a condition outside physical therapy scope.

Referral Documentation

When a referral is required, the PT must obtain and document it and communicate with the referring provider as necessary.

Direct Access Scope Limit

Direct access does not expand scope; services remain limited to those authorized by the Practice Act regardless of referral status.

Grounds for Discipline

Bases include incompetence, negligence, fraud in obtaining a license, practicing beyond scope, and violation of the Practice Act or Board rules.

Impairment as Misconduct

Practicing while impaired by alcohol or drugs, or failing to self-report as required, is unprofessional conduct subject to Board discipline.

Duty to Report

Licensees must report certain conduct, such as impairment or violations by other licensees, to the Board as required by rule.

Investigation Cooperation

Failing to cooperate with a Board investigation or providing false information to the Board is itself a disciplinary offense.

Truthful Advertising

Advertising must be truthful and not misleading; licensees may not make false claims about credentials, competence, or treatment outcomes.

Fee Splitting Prohibition

Paying or receiving compensation for patient referrals is prohibited except as permitted by law and constitutes unprofessional conduct.

Patient Solicitation Limits

Soliciting patients through coercion, intimidation, or misleading offers is prohibited, and patient choice of provider must be preserved.

Kickback Prohibition

Licensees may not offer or accept kickbacks, rebates, or other inducements for referring patients or services.