Georgia PT Jurisprudence flashcards

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

Physical Therapy Practice Act

O.C.G.A. Title 43, Chapter 33, the Georgia statute establishing the Board of Physical Therapy, licensure, scope of practice, and disciplinary authority.

Physical Therapist Assistant

A person licensed in Georgia to perform selected physical therapy interventions and data collection under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist.

Unlicensed Aide

A support worker who may perform non-skilled tasks such as transport, equipment preparation, and clerical duties, but may not perform skilled interventions or modalities.

Board of Physical Therapy

The Georgia board that licenses physical therapists and assistants, adopts rules, investigates complaints, and imposes discipline; it does not award malpractice damages.

Board Rule Chapter 490

The Georgia compilation of Board of Physical Therapy rules covering licensure, supervision, continuing competence, fees, and professional conduct.

Biennial Renewal

Georgia physical therapy licenses renew on a two-year cycle set by the Board, with late fees and possible reinstatement requirements if the license lapses.

Continuing Competence

Required continuing education hours per renewal cycle, including jurisprudence or ethics content, documented and retained for audit by the Board.

Reinstatement

The process of restoring a lapsed or disciplined license, which may require fees, continuing education, and evidence of competence.

General Supervision

A supervision level in which the physical therapist is not on site but is available by telephone or other means as permitted by Board rule.

Direct Supervision

A supervision level in which the physical therapist is on site and immediately available to the assistant or student during the service.

Plan of Care Responsibility

The physical therapist's nondelegable duty to examine, evaluate, establish the plan of care, and reassess the patient; assistants may not perform these duties.

Student Supervision

Students may perform interventions only within an accredited educational program and under supervision consistent with the program's and Board's requirements.

Limited Direct Access

Georgia permits physical therapy without a physician referral for a period set by statute and rule, after which referral or physician involvement may be required.

Red Flag Screening

The process of identifying signs or symptoms outside the scope of physical therapy that require referral to a physician or other appropriate provider.

Referral Documentation

The record must show whether a referral exists, the screening performed, and the basis for proceeding with treatment without one.

Informed Consent

Disclosure of the nature of care, risks, benefits, alternatives, and the right to refuse, documented in the patient record.

Patient Abandonment

Terminating care without notice, an opportunity for transfer, and documentation of the reason, which is unprofessional conduct.

Boundary Violation

Sexual or exploitative conduct toward a patient, which is grounds for discipline regardless of the patient's consent.

Contemporaneous Record

An entry made at the time of service or promptly thereafter, accurately identifying the provider, date, and service rendered.

Records Retention

Keeping patient records for the statutory period after the last date of service, with longer retention possible for minors, per law and Board rule.

Addendum Correction

Correcting a record by adding a dated, signed addendum rather than altering or deleting the original entry.

Grounds for Discipline

Unlicensed practice, fraud, negligence, incompetence, unprofessional conduct, impairment, and violations of the Practice Act or Board rules.

Consent Order

A negotiated Board order resolving a complaint, often imposing supervision, continuing education, treatment, fines, or practice restrictions.

Emergency Suspension

Board action suspending a license before a full hearing when there is an imminent risk to public health and safety.

Standard Precautions

Infection control practices applied to all patients, including hand hygiene, gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection based on exposure risk.

Needlestick Exposure

A sharps injury requiring immediate evaluation, post-exposure follow-up, and documentation according to facility policy and law.

Mandatory Abuse Reporting

The legal duty to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of children, older adults, or disabled persons to the designated Georgia authority.

Jurisprudence Exam

A Georgia licensure examination testing knowledge of the Practice Act and Board rules, separate from the NPTE and education requirements.

Statutory Definitions

Terms defined in O.C.G.A. Title 43, Chapter 33 control over informal usage and should guide answers on jurisprudence questions.

Renewal Attestation

A licensee's statement at renewal that continuing education and other requirements are met; false attestation is grounds for discipline.

Supervision Ratio

A limit set by Board rule on the number of assistants or aides a physical therapist may supervise, varying by setting and patient acuity.

Payer Referral Requirement

An insurance or payer rule requiring a physician referral even when the Practice Act permits direct access; both must be satisfied.