OR PT Juris key terms

In Oregon, examining, evaluating, and treating patients with impairments, functional limitations, or disabilities using physical measures and tests, plus providing consultative, educational, and preventive services, under the Practice Act.

The legally permitted range of activities a licensed physical therapist or assistant may perform, defined by Oregon statute and Board rule rather than by employer policy or personal training.

A person licensed by the Oregon Board to perform physical therapy procedures and related duties under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist, excluding evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment plan development.

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

The ability of a patient in Oregon to receive physical therapy evaluation and treatment from a licensed physical therapist without a prior physician referral, subject to statutory conditions and limits on duration or condition type.

A written or documented request from a licensed health care provider authorizing physical therapy services, which may be required for certain conditions or after a defined treatment period under Oregon law.

A brief process of gathering information to decide whether a patient's presentation is appropriate for physical therapy or requires referral to another provider, without constituting a full examination.

The comprehensive first assessment by a physical therapist that gathers history, performs tests and measures, and establishes baseline data used to form a diagnosis and plan of care.

The clinical judgment a physical therapist makes after examination, interpreting findings to identify impairments, activity limitations, participation restrictions, and the resulting physical therapy diagnosis.

The written strategy a physical therapist develops stating goals, planned interventions, frequency and duration of visits, and expected outcomes, which must be documented and updated as the patient progresses.

A repeat assessment performed when a patient's condition changes or at defined intervals, used to revise the diagnosis, goals, and plan of care and to document progress toward outcomes.

The physical therapist's ongoing responsibility to direct, monitor, and remain accountable for services delivered by assistants or aides, with the level of oversight set by Oregon Board rule.

The assignment of a specific patient care task by a physical therapist to an assistant or aide, based on the patient's condition, the task's complexity, and the delegate's documented competence and legal authority.

A supervision standard in which the supervising physical therapist is physically present in the facility and immediately available to intervene while delegated services are being provided.

A supervision standard in which the physical therapist need not be physically present but must be available by some means of communication and retains responsibility for the delegated care.

Providing physical therapy services without a valid Oregon license, which is prohibited and subject to civil penalty and criminal enforcement under the Practice Act.

The credential issued by the Oregon Board authorizing a qualified person to practice as a physical therapist or physical therapy assistant, renewable on a defined cycle with required continuing competence.

The periodic process by which a licensee submits a renewal application, fee, and attestation of continuing competence requirements to keep an active Oregon license in good standing.

The status of a license that has not been renewed by its expiration date, after which the holder may not practice until reinstated or renewed under Board procedures.

The ongoing requirement that licensees maintain and demonstrate current knowledge and skill through approved continuing education and other Board-recognized activities during each renewal cycle.

A standardized measure of credit for approved educational activity, typically one unit per contact hour, used to satisfy the continuing competence requirement for license renewal.

The Board's random or targeted review of a licensee's records to verify compliance with continuing competence, documentation, or other requirements, which may require submission of certificates and evidence.

A non-practicing license category a licensee may request, which relieves the holder of practice but bars patient care until the license is returned to active status.

A sanction the Board imposes after finding a violation, ranging from reprimand and probation to suspension, revocation, or civil penalty, and typically published in Board records.

The statutory list of behaviors supporting Board action, including incompetence, negligence, fraud, practicing impaired, failing to report, and violating Board orders or rules.

Behavior falling below accepted standards of the profession, such as dishonesty, boundary violations, abandonment, or practicing beyond competence, which can independently justify Board discipline.

The limits that keep the therapist-patient relationship therapeutic rather than personal, prohibiting sexual or romantic involvement and discouraging exploitative or dual relationships with patients and their families.

A patient's voluntary agreement to evaluation or intervention after receiving an explanation of the nature, risks, benefits, and alternatives, documented in the record and revocable at any time.

The entitlements patients hold in care, including privacy, confidentiality, access to records, respectful treatment, participation in decisions, and freedom from discrimination or abuse.

The duty to protect patient information from unauthorized disclosure, permitting release only with valid authorization or as required or allowed by law, such as mandated reporting.

Individually identifiable health information held or transmitted in any form that is safeguarded by privacy and security rules, including the minimum-necessary standard for disclosures.

The timely, accurate, and legible record of examination findings, diagnosis, plan of care, interventions, patient response, and communication, which supports care continuity and demonstrates compliance.

The required period for keeping patient records after the last service date, set by Oregon rule, so that records remain available for patients, Board review, and legal proceedings.

The legal duty of licensees to report suspected child abuse, elder abuse, or prohibited practice by another licensee to the designated authority within required timeframes, with immunity for good-faith reports.

The practices used to prevent transmission of infectious agents in the clinical setting, including hand hygiene, standard precautions, appropriate use of personal protective equipment, and cleaning of equipment and surfaces.

The baseline infection prevention measures applied to all patients regardless of diagnosis, treating blood, body fluids, and non-intact skin as potentially infectious and using barriers as indicated.

A written workplace program identifying tasks with bloodborne pathogen risk and specifying protective equipment, vaccination offers, and post-exposure evaluation and follow-up procedures.

The therapist's duty to identify and mitigate risks in the environment and during interventions, including fall prevention, equipment checks, and appropriate response to adverse events.