Nebraska Revised Statutes

Question 1

what is the purpose of the PT Practice Act?

Answer 1

To update and recodify statutes relating to the practice of
physical therapy.
Nothing in the act shall be construed to expand the scope of practice of physical therapy as it existed prior to July 14, 2006

Question 2

PT means: (Statute 1)

Answer 2

(1) Examining, evaluating, and testing individuals with mechanical, physiological, and developmental impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities or other conditions related to health and movement and, through analysis of the evaluative process, developing a plan of therapeutic intervention and prognosis while assessing the ongoing effects of the intervention;

Question 3

PT means: (Statute 2)

Answer 3

2) Alleviating impairment, functional limitation, or disabilities by designing, implementing, or modifying therapeutic interventions which may include any of the following:
Therapeutic exercise; functional training in home, community, or work integration or reintegration related to physical movement and mobility; therapeutic massage; mobilization or manual therapy; recommendation, application, and fabrication of assistive, adaptive, protective, and supportive devices and equipment; airway clearance techniques; integumentary protection techniques; nonsurgical debridement and wound care; physical agents or modalities; mechanical and electrotherapeutic modalities; and patient-related instruction; but which does not include the making of a medical diagnosis;

Question 4

PT means: (Statute 3)

Answer 4

(3) Purchasing, storing, and administering topical and aerosol medication in compliance with applicable rules and regulations of the Board of Pharmacy regarding the storage of such medication

Question 5

PT means (Statute 4)

Answer 5

(4) Reducing the risk of injury, impairment, functional limitation, or disability, including the promotion and maintenance of fitness, health, and wellness

Question 6

PT means (Statute 5)

Answer 6

(5) Engaging in administration, consultation, education, and research.

Question 7

Define physical therapist

Answer 7

a person licensed to practice physical therapy under the Physical Therapy Practice Act.

Question 8

Define a PTA

Answer 8

a person certified as a physical therapist assistant under the Physical Therapy
Practice Act.

Question 9

Define a PT aide

Answer 9

a person who is trained under the direction of a physical therapist and who performs
treatment-related and non-treatment-related tasks.

Question 10

Who is not authorized to practice PT? (6 items)

Answer 10

(1) A member of another profession, even if credentialed in their profession
(2) A student in an approved educational program who is performing PT services or related services within the scope of such program and under the direct supervision of a physical therapist;
(3) A person practicing PT/PTA in this state who serves in the armed
forces of the U.S. or the United States Public Health Service or who is employed by the U.S. Dept of VA or other federal agencies, if their practice is limited to that service or employment;
(4) A person credentialed to practice PT/PTA in another jurisdiction of
the U.S. or in another country who is teaching PT or demonstrating or providing PT or related services in connection with an educational program in this state;
(5) A person credentialed to practice PT in another jurisdiction of the United States or in another country who, by contract or employment, is providing physical therapy or related services in this state to individuals affiliated with established athletic teams, athletic organizations, or performing arts companies while such teams, organizations, or companies are present and temporarily practicing, competing, or performing in this state;
(6) A person employed by a school district, educational service unit, or other public or private educational institution or entity serving preK- 12th grade students who is providing personal assistance services, including mobility and transfer activities, such as assisting with ambulation with and without aids; positioning in adaptive equipment; application of braces; encouraging AROM exercises; assisting with PROM exercises; assisting with transfers with or without mechanical devices; and such other personal

Question 11

What is a PT aide authorized to do?

Answer 11

may perform treatment-related and non-treatment-related tasks under the supervision of a physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant.

Question 12

3 PT license qualifications

Answer 12

(1) Present proof of completion of an approved educational program;
(2) In the case of an applicant who has been trained as a physical therapist in a foreign country, (a) present documentation of completion of a course of professional instruction substantially equivalent to an approved program accredited by the CAPTE or by an equivalent accrediting agency as determined by the board and (b) present proof of proficiency in the English language; and
(3) Successfully complete an examination approved by the department, with the recommendation of the board.

Question 13

2 PTA license qualifications

Answer 13

(1) Present proof of completion of an approved educational program; and
(2) Successfully complete an examination approved by the department, with the recommendation of the board.

Question 14

Define direct supervision

Answer 14

supervision in which the supervising practitioner is physically present and immediately
available and does not include supervision provided by means of telecommunication.

Question 15

Define general supervision

Answer 15

supervision either onsite or by means of telecommunication

Question 16

Define a student

Answer 16

a person enrolled in an approved educational program.

Question 17

Define Board

Answer 17

Board of Physical THerapy

Question 18

What are continuing competency requirements for PT applicants?

Answer 18

An applicant for licensure to practice as a PT or PTA who has met the education and examination requirements, who passed the examination more than three years prior to the time of application for licensure, and who is not practicing at the time of application for licensure shall present proof satisfactory to the department that he or she has within the three years immediately preceding the application for
licensure completed continuing competency requirements approved by the board pursuant to section 38-145.

Question 19

What are continuing competency requirments for PT applicants regarding reciprocity, as a military spouse or with a temp license?

Answer 19

An applicant for licensure to practice as a PT or PTA who has met the standards set by the board pursuant to section 38-126 for a license based on licensure in another
jurisdiction but is not practicing at the time of application for licensure shall present proof satisfactory to the department that he or she has within the three years immediately preceding the application for licensure completed continuing competency requirements approved by the board pursuant to section 38-145.
(2) An applicant who is a military spouse may apply for a temporary license as provided in section 38-129.01.

Question 20

3 laws regarding required license/certificate and titling of PT/PtA

Answer 20

(1) No person may practice PT, hold oneself out as a physical therapist, or use the
abbreviation PT in this state without being licensed by the department. No person may practice as a physical therapist assistant, hold oneself out as a physical therapist assistant, or use the abbreviation PTA in this state without being certified by the department.
(2) A physical therapist may use the title physical therapist or physiotherapist and the abbreviation PT in connection with his or her name or place of business. A physical therapist assistant may use the title physical therapist assistant and the abbreviation PTA in connection with his or her name.
(3) No person who offers or provides services to another or bills another for services shall characterize such services as physical therapy or physiotherapy unless such services are provided by a physical therapist or a PTA acting under the general supervision of a physical therapist.

Question 21

5 limitations of a PTA’s role
Power, duties and roles of a PTA include (6 items)

Answer 21

(1) A PTA may perform physical therapy services under the general supervision of a physical therapist, except that no physical therapist assistant shall perform the following:
(a) Interpretation of physician referrals;
(b) Development of a plan of care;
(c) Initial evaluations or reevaluation of patients;
(d) Readjustment of a plan of care without consultation with the supervising physical therapist; or
(e) Discharge planning for patients.

Question 22

Power, duties and roles of a PTA and constraints under supervising PT include (5 items)

Answer 22

(1) A physical therapist may provide general supervision for no more than two PTAs. A
physical therapist shall not establish a satellite office at which a physical therapist assistant provides care without the general supervision of the physical therapist.
(2) A physical therapist shall reevaluate or reexamine on a regular basis each patient receiving physical therapy services from a PTA under the general supervision of the physical therapist.
(3) A supervising physical therapist and the PTA under general supervision shall review the plan of care on a regular basis for each patient receiving physical therapy services from the PTA
(4) A PTA may document physical therapy services provided by the PTA without the signature of the supervising physical therapist.
(5) A PTA may act as a clinical instructor for PTA students in an approved educational program.

Question 23

PT duties towards each patient (5 items)

Answer 23

(1) For each patient under his or her care, a physical therapist shall:
(a) Be responsible for managing all aspects of physical therapy services provided to the patient and assume legal liability for physical therapy and related services provided under his or her supervision;
(b) Provide an initial evaluation and documentation of the evaluation;
(c) Provide periodic reevaluation and documentation of the reevaluation;
(d) Provide documentation for discharge, including the patient’s response to therapeutic intervention at the time of discharge; and
(e) Be responsible for accurate documentation and billing for services provided.

Question 24

PT duties per patient treatment visit (2 items)

Answer 24

(2) For each patient under his or her care on each date physical therapy services are provided to such patient, a PT shall:
(a) Provide all therapeutic interventions that require the expertise of a physical therapist; and
(b) Determine the appropriate use of physical therapist assistants or physical therapy aides.

Question 25

Law regarding patient medical records

Answer 25

medical records contain personal and sensitive information that if improperly used or
released may do significant harm to a patient’s interests. Patients need access to their own medical records as a matter of fairness to enable them to make informed decisions about their health care and correct inaccurate or incomplete information about themselves.

Question 26

Define:
medical records
-mental health medical records
-patient
-patient request
-HC provider

Answer 26

(1) Medical records: a provider’s record of a patient’s health history and treatment rendered;
(2) Mental health medical records: medical records or parts thereof created by or under the direction or supervision of a licensed psychiatrist, a licensed psychologist, a mental health practitioner licensed or certified pursuant to the Mental Health Practice Act, or a professional counselor who holds a privilege to practice in
Nebraska as a professional counselor under the Licensed Professional Counselors Interstate Compact;
(3) Patient: a patient or former patient;
(4) Patient request: the request of a patient’s guardian or other authorized
representative;
(5) Provider: physician, psychologist, chiropractor, dentist, hospital, clinic, and any other licensed or certified health care practitioner or entity.

Question 27

4 items regarding pt access to medical records

Answer 27

(1) A patient may request a copy of the patient’s medical records or may request to examine such records. Access to such records shall be provided upon request pursuant to sections 71-8401 to 71-8407, except that mental health medical records may be withheld if any treating physician, psychologist, or mental health practitioner determines in his or her professional opinion that release of the records would not be in the best interest of the patient unless the release is required by court order. The request and any authorization shall be in writing. If an authorization does not contain an expiration date or specify an event the occurrence of which causes the authorization to expire, the authorization shall expire twelve months after the date the authorization was executed by the patient.
(2) Upon receiving a written request for a copy of the patient’s medical records, the provider shall furnish the person making the request a copy of such records not later than thirty days after the written request is received.
(3) Upon receiving a written request to examine the patient’s medical records,
the provider shall, as promptly as required under the circumstances but no later than ten days after receiving the request:
-(a) Make the medical records available for examination during regular business hours; (b) inform the patient if the records do not exist or cannot be found;
(c) if the provider does not maintain the records, inform the patient of the name and address of the provider who maintains such records, if known; or
(d) if unusual circumstances have delayed handling the request, inform the patient in writing of the reasons for the delay and the earliest date, not later than twenty-one days after receiving the request, when the records will be available for examination. The provider shall furnish a copy of medical records to the patient as provided in subsection (2) of this section if requested.
(4) This section does not require the retention of records or impose liability for the destruction of records in the ordinary course of business prior to receipt of a request made under subsection (1) of this section. A provider shall not be required to disclose confidential information in any medical record concerning another patient or
family member who has not consented to the release of the record

Question 28

Law regarding patient access to records (financial component)

Answer 28

Except under subpoena by a patient or his or her authorized representative a provider may charge no more than $20 as a handling fee and may charge no more than fifty cents per page as a copying fee. A provider may charge for the reasonable cost of all duplications of medical records which cannot routinely be copied or duplicated on a standard photocopy machine. A provider may charge an amount necessary to cover the cost of labor and materials for furnishing a copy of an X-ray or similar special medical record. If the provider does not have the ability to reproduce X-rays or other records requested, the person making the request may arrange, at his or her expense, for the reproduction of such records.

Question 29

Law regarding provider immunity with transfer of medical records

Answer 29

A provider who transfers or submits information in good faith to a patient’s medical record shall not be liable in damages to the patient or any other person for the disclosure of such medical records