Section 43-26.1-01 - DefinitionsIn this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
1. "Board" means the North Dakota board of physical therapy.2. "Competence" is the application of knowledge, skills, and behaviors required to function effectively, safely, ethically, and legally within the context of the patient's or client's environment.3. "Continuing competence" is the lifelong process of maintaining and documenting competence through ongoing self-assessment, development, and implementation of a personal learning plan along with subsequent reassessment.4. "Direct supervision" means the supervising physical therapist is physically present on the premises and immediately available for direction and supervision, has direct contact with the patient during each visit, and completes all components of care requiring skilled therapy services. Telehealth does not meet the requirement for direct supervision.5. "Electronic communications" means the science and technology of communication over a distance by electronic transmission of impulses, including activities involving or using electronic communications to store, organize, send, retrieve, and convey information.6. "Examination" means a national examination approved by the board for the licensure of a physical therapist or the licensure of a physical therapist assistant.7. "General supervision" means the supervising physical therapist is onsite and present where services are provided or is immediately available to the physical therapist assistant being supervised by means of electronic communications, maintains continual involvement in the appropriate aspects of patient care, and has primary responsibility for all patient care services rendered by a physical therapist assistant.8. "Manual therapy" means the use of techniques such as mobilization or manipulation, manual lymphatic drainage, and manual traction on one or more regions of the body.9. "Onsite supervision" means the supervising physical therapist is onsite and present in the department or facility where services are provided, is immediately available to the individual being supervised, and maintains continued involvement in appropriate aspects of each treatment session in which a student physical therapist or a student physical therapist assistant is involved in components of care.10. "Physical therapist" means an individual licensed under this chapter to practice physical therapy. The term "physiotherapist" is synonymous with "physical therapist" under this chapter.11. "Physical therapist assistant" means an individual licensed under this chapter and who assists the physical therapist in selected components of physical therapy intervention.12. "Physical therapy" means the care and services provided by or under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist licensed under this chapter.13. "Physical therapy aide" means an individual trained under the direction of a physical therapist who performs designated and supervised routine tasks related to physical therapy.14. "Practice of physical therapy" means: a. Examining, evaluating, and testing individuals with mechanical, physiological, and developmental impairments, functional limitations in movement and mobility, and disabilities or other health and movement-related conditions to determine a diagnosis for physical therapy, prognosis, and plan of therapeutic intervention, and to assess the ongoing effects of intervention. The term includes ordering musculoskeletal imaging consisting of plain film radiographs to be performed by a professional authorized by chapter 43-62 and interpreted by a licensed physician trained in radiology interpretation, and using these results to determine if a referral to another health care provider is necessary or indicates the necessary treatment is within the physical therapist's scope of practice.b. Alleviating impairments, functional limitations in movement and mobility, and disabilities by designing, implementing and modifying therapeutic interventions that may include therapeutic exercise; neuromuscular education; functional training related to positioning, movement, and mobility in self-care and in-home, community, or work integration or reintegration; manual therapy; therapeutic massage; prescription, application and, as appropriate, fabrication of assistive, adaptive, orthotic, prosthetic, protective, and supportive devices and equipment related to positioning, movement, and mobility; airway clearance techniques; integumentary protection and repair techniques; debridement and wound care; physiotherapy; physical agents or modalities; mechanical and electrotherapeutic modalities; and patient-related instruction.c. Engaging as a physical therapist in reducing the risk of injury, impairment, functional limitation and disability, including the promotion and maintenance of fitness, health, and wellness in populations of all ages.d. Engaging as a physical therapist in administration, consultation, education, and research.15. "Restricted license" for a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant means a license on which the board places restrictions or conditions, or both, as to scope of practice, place of practice, supervision of practice, duration of licensed status, or type or condition of patient or client to whom the licensee may provide services.16. "Telehealth" is the use of electronic communications to provide and deliver health-related information and health care services, including physical therapy related information and services, over any distance. Telehealth encompasses health care and health promotion activities, including education, advice, reminders, interventions, and the monitoring of interventions.17. "Testing" means standard methods and techniques used to gather data about the patient.Amended by S.L. 2021, ch. 317 (SB 2122),§ 1, eff. 8/1/2021.Amended by S.L. 2019, ch. 363 (SB 2125),§ 1, eff. 7/1/2019.