Georgia PT Jurisprudence key terms

The evaluation, treatment, and prevention of physical disability, movement dysfunction, and pain through physical or mechanical means, performed by a licensed practitioner under Georgia law.

The statutory scope covering examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention, and consultation for impairments and functional limitations, including documenting results and educating patients and caregivers.

A person licensed by the Georgia Board of Physical Therapy to practice physical therapy independently, including performing evaluations, establishing diagnoses and prognoses, and designing plans of care.

A person licensed to perform selected physical therapy interventions and related tasks under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist, without independently evaluating or establishing a plan of care.

An unlicensed worker who performs only non-treatment supportive duties such as clerical tasks, equipment setup, and transport, and who may not provide skilled physical therapy interventions.

An individual enrolled in an accredited physical therapy education program who may perform physical therapy activities only as part of supervised clinical training and not as an employee substitute.

An individual enrolled in an accredited physical therapist assistant program who provides care only within supervised clinical education assignments and may not function as a licensed assistant.

The ability of a patient to obtain physical therapy evaluation and treatment without a prior physician referral, subject to the conditions and limits set by Georgia law and Board rules.

A written or documented request from a licensed health care practitioner authorizing physical therapy services, required in specified circumstances such as care extending beyond statutory access limits.

A documented, individualized outline of goals, interventions, frequency, and duration established by the physical therapist, reviewed and revised as the patient's condition changes.

The comprehensive clinical process of gathering history, performing tests and measures, and interpreting findings to identify impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions before designing interventions.

A repeat clinical assessment performed when a patient's condition changes or goals are met, used to update the diagnosis, prognosis, and plan of care.

The oversight a physical therapist provides over assistants, aides, and students, including availability, monitoring of care, and responsibility for the services delivered.

A supervision level in which the supervising physical therapist is physically present in the facility and immediately available to the person being supervised while care is provided.

A supervision level in which the supervising physical therapist is not required to be physically present but must be accessible and must have authorized the care being provided.

The assignment of a specific task to another person by a physical therapist, who retains responsibility for determining that the delegate is competent and that the task is appropriate.

The Board-issued authorization to practice physical therapy or work as a physical therapist assistant, granted after meeting education, examination, and character requirements.

The periodic process by which a licensee submits required information and fees to maintain active licensure status before the expiration date set by the Board.

Ongoing professional development required for license renewal, documented through approved continuing education or equivalent activities that maintain and enhance clinical knowledge and skill.

A standardized measure of credit awarded for completing an approved educational activity, used to satisfy the continuing competence requirement for renewal.

A license that has expired because renewal requirements were not met, after which practice is prohibited until the license is reinstated under Board procedures.

Providing physical therapy services without a valid license or beyond the scope authorized by a license, which is grounds for discipline and may carry legal penalties.

Specific conduct for which the Board may sanction a licensee, such as incompetence, unprofessional conduct, fraud, impairment, or practicing beyond authorized scope.

A written allegation submitted to the Board claiming that a licensee violated the Practice Act or Board rules, which may trigger investigation and disciplinary proceedings.

A formal administrative proceeding in which a licensee may respond to allegations, present evidence, and contest proposed disciplinary action before a decision is imposed.

A patient's voluntary agreement to evaluation or treatment after receiving an explanation of the proposed care, expected benefits, material risks, and alternatives.

The entitlements of patients receiving physical therapy, including respectful care, privacy, participation in decisions, access to records, and freedom from discrimination or abuse.

The duty to protect a patient's health information from unauthorized disclosure, permitting release only with valid authorization or as required or allowed by law.

Individually identifiable health information created or received in the course of care that is safeguarded by privacy and security requirements governing its use and disclosure.

The clinical documentation of evaluation findings, diagnoses, interventions, progress, and communications that must be accurate, timely, and retained for the required period.

The requirement to keep patient and business records for a minimum period set by law or Board rule, and to preserve them longer when litigation or investigation is pending.

A legal obligation to report specified events to authorities, such as suspected abuse or neglect of vulnerable persons or misconduct by another licensee.

Infection control practices applied to all patients, including hand hygiene and use of gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection when contact with blood or body fluids is anticipated.

A written workplace program identifying tasks with risk of bloodborne pathogen exposure and specifying protective measures, training, and post-exposure procedures.

Policies and practices that prevent transmission of infectious agents in the clinical setting, including hand hygiene, equipment disinfection, and safe handling of contaminated items.

Behavior falling below accepted standards of the profession, such as falsifying records, practicing impaired, or exploiting a patient relationship, which may lead to Board sanctions.

Conduct that violates ethical or practice standards expected of licensees, including dishonesty, boundary violations, and failure to maintain competence or adequate records.