Ala. Admin. Code r. 746-X-5-.03

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 10, July 31, 2024

Section 746-X-5-.03 - Scope Of Practice

(1) A licensed orthotist assistant, prosthetist assistant, or orthotist/prosthetist assistant is a person who assists a licensed orthotist, licensed prosthetist, or licensed orthotist/prosthetist in the practice of orthotics and prosthetics. A licensed orthotist assistant, licensed prosthetist assistant, or a licensed orthotist/prosthetist assistant does not require formal educational training to the extent of a baccalaureate degree, but must possess knowledge of the anatomical, biological and physical sciences involved in the practice of orthotics and prosthetics.

(2) A licensed orthotist assistant, prosthetist assistant, or orthotist/prosthetist assistant must be experienced in, and possess an understanding of, the principles and application of care for persons who have been referred by an authorized health care practitioner with a written prescription for an orthosis or a prosthesis and have been evaluated by a licensed orthotist, a licensed prosthetist or a licensed prosthetist/orthotist.

(3) A licensed orthotist assistant, prosthetist assistant, or orthotist/prosthetist assistant may perform the following tasks after the referred person has been personally evaluated by licensed orthotist, a licensed prosthetist or licensed orthotist/prosthetist and a plan of care is noted in the individual medical record of the referred person by that evaluating licensee:

(a) Measure and or cast the person for the orthosis or prosthesis described in the plan of care by the licensed orthotist, licensed prosthetist or licensed prosthetist/ orthotist,

(b) Prepare the positive model for fabrication by rectifying the positive model resulting from the cast or measurement,

(c) Fabricate the orthosis or prosthesis described in the plan of care for the person,

(d) Perform initial fitting and test fittings as required of the orthosis or prosthesis described in the plan of care and insure the dynamic alignment of the orthosis or prosthesis is appropriate for the person for whom the orthosis or prosthesis has been prescribed,

(e) Counsel and instruct the person for whom the orthosis or prosthesis was prescribed and fabricated as to the proper use and care of the orthosis or prosthesis,

(f) Insure the orthosis or prosthesis is finished in such a manner that is appropriate for final check and delivery by a licensed orthotist, licensed prosthetist or licensed prosthetist/orthotist who shall personally fit and deliver the orthosis or prosthesis to the person for whom the orthosis or prosthesis was prescribed,

(g) Make notations in the medical record of the person for whom the orthosis or prosthesis was prescribed to record of the person for whom the orthosis or prosthesis was prescribed to record the progress of actions taken by the licensed orthotist assistant, licensed prosthetist assistant or licensed prosthetist/orthotist assistant during the execution of the plan of care that was initiated by the evaluation performed by a licensed orthotist, licensed prosthetist, or licensed prosthetist/orthotist at the time of the initial contact with the person for whom the orthosis or prosthesis was prescribed,

(4) A licensed orthotist assistant, licensed prosthetist assistant, or licensed prosthetist/orthotist assistant may not perform or provide orthotic or prosthetic care unless under the supervision and by the direction of a licensed orthotist, prosthetist, or licensed orthotist/prosthetist and only as to the plan of care developed and written following personal evaluation and by the licensed orthotist, licensed prosthetist, or licensed prosthetist/orthotist.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 746-X-5-.03

New Rule: Filed August 8, 2003; effective September 12, 2003.

Authors: Joseph C. Elliott, Glenn Crumpton

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, § 34-25A-1 -14.