MN Board of PT Questions and Answers

MN Board of PT Questions and Answers Mission and Vision of MN board of PT To ensure that MN citizens receive quality physical therapy from competent licensees. To protect the public through licensure of qualified physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, and to provide timely and impartial resolution of complaints. Board Responsibilities Licensing Continued Competence (CE) Complaint Resolution Legislation Rulemaking LICENSED PHYSICAL THERAPY PROFESSIONALS IN MINNESOTA PT:PTA 3:1 Major Functions of the Board Ensure that applicants meet the standards for initial licensure Ensure that PTs & PTAs meet the standards for licensure renewal Through the Complaint Process, identify PTs & PTAs who fail to maintain the standards necessary for safe and quality care; and when warranted, provide timely and appropriate discipline, corrective action, or education Provide accurate information and education to the public and licensees Physical Therapy Practice Act Each state has unique laws ( ) Licensure is a privilege and exists for the protection of the public Practice Act = Statutes and Rules PT Practice Act is the foundation for PT practice in MN However, other laws may apply to PT/PTA practice home care (Medicare, MDH, DHS, other) State Laws Vary Differences Between 53 Jurisdictions (DC, Puerto Rico, Virgin Is.) All jurisdictions different for definition, scope of practice and requirements MN Board of PT State agency Administers the Practice Act to protect the public Board members appointed by the Governor Licensure required by State to practice Protect the Public! MN Chapter of APTA Professional association (private) Member driven to advance the profession Leadership elected by the membership Membership is voluntary Promote the Profession! The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy: Promoting Safety and Competence Develops and administers National Examination (NPTE) Provides information to the public, licensees/applicants, educators, & boards Provides continued competence resources Provides regulatory resources/support Maintains exam, licensure & disciplinary database (ELDD) Board Members 5 PTs 2 PTAs 1 MD 3 Public Licensee Responsibilities and Attitudes MN PT Practice Act: Licensure Info & Legislation Licensees must know, understand, & comply with laws and rules Attitude: compliance vs. "how to get around this law" PROFESSIONAL ETHICS Maintain confidentiality Utilize statute/rules to frame decision-making Use other resources/requirements (professional, employer and payor) in conjunction with Practice Act BE PROFESSIONAL! Health Professionals Service Program protects the public by providing monitoring services to regulated health care professionals whose illnesses may impact their ability to practice safely The goals of HPSP are to promote early intervention, diagnosis and treatment for health professionals with illnesses, and to provide monitoring services as an alternative to Board discipline Ethical Practice: DON'T Harass, abuse, discriminate Disclose confidential information Engage in sexual relationships or activity with patients, or engage in conduct that may reasonably be interpreted by the patient to be sexual Treat without disclosing benefits and substantial risks of exam, intervention(s), and alternatives (informed consent) Provide care when impaired by illness, chemical use or chemical dependency that affects ability to practice with reasonable skill and safety Ethical Practice: DO Self-report within 30 days any personal actions that are grounds for discipline Impairment (illness, alcohol/chem dependence or abuse). A confidential report to HPSP meets this requirement Conviction of misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, or felony Termination, revocation, suspension of membership by PT professional organization Complete the required Continuing Education hours Cooperate with Board investigation(s) Roles: PT, PTA, PT Aide Personnel in PT department Delegation of duties to PTAs, task assignment to aides Supervision of PTAs and aides Referrals Referrals: MD, DO, DDS, DPM, DC, PA, Adv Practice RN Direct Access: PT licensed less than 1 yr, in collaboration with a PT with more than 1 yr of experience or under physician orders or referrals Direct Access: initial 90 days of patient admittance. The 90 day limitation does not apply to prevention, wellness, education, or exercise or when a previous diagnosis exists indicating a condition warranting PT treatment, subject to BPT rule Licenses: Denial, Suspension, Revocation (1) Violation of statute, rule, order, or agreement for corrective action Impairment: inability to practice w/reasonable skill & safety due to mental or physical illness or condition, or use drugs or chemicals Conviction of a felony or other crime w/element of dishonesty or fraud, or engaged in acts tending to show individual is incompetent, or conduct reflecting adversely on the individual's ability or fitness to practice of PT Licenses: Denial, Suspension, Revocation (2) Conviction of violation of narcotic law Obtaining or attempting to obtain license or CE approval, or passing exam by fraud or deception Engaged in unprofessional conduct or conduct that has potential to harm the public, incl departure from or failure to conform to minimum standards of acceptable and prevailing practice w/o harm having to be established Gross negligence Licenses: Denial, Suspension, Revocation (3) Treatment beyond allowable under direct access (90 days, referrals, prevention, wellness, education or exercise) Direct access treatment during 1st yr of licensure [except in collaboration with PT w/ 1 yr experience or under physician's orders/referral] Failing to consult with referring provider if tx is altered from original written order [except eval & tx] Inappropriate delegation, inadequate supervision of PTA, aide, PT or PTA student Performing medical dx, practicing medicine or chiropractic Failing to comply with request for clearance for a mental or physical condition Licenses: Denial, Suspension, Revocation (4) Dividing fees Incentive payment that tends to promote overuse Failing to refer a pt whose condition is beyond the scope of PT Failing to report other licensees who violate this section Practicing with a lapsed or nonrenewed license, or without obtaining a license Types of Complaints Practice Without License Inappropriate Delegation of Duties Sexual Misconduct Chemical Dependency/Abuse Mental/Physical Impairment Substandard Treatment/Abuse Unprofessional Conduct Insurance/Billing Fraud Unnecessary/Unsubstantiated Services Licensure Highlights Licensure Requirements Renewal Requirements, including continuing education and hours of practice Change of address Initial License Application Process is for protection of the public, and follows statutes/rules Please read the instructions Rushes and special requests? It depends! Changes in 2015: Criminal Background Check w/fingerprints Early testing: accept Certificate of Education 13 weeks before graduation Application Process Complete online or paper application Fees: $210 + CBC costs ($34.75) pay w/credit card online, or pay by check through mail Review: PT A Application Form AND Instructions for New Grads on website Check out CHECKLIST from online application... Application Process Cont Account for all time since HS graduation (x summer breaks) New grads: include clinical affiliations as practice references Official transcript directly from school to Board (must show degree awarded) Notarized signatures on affidavit(s) Notarized documents for name change Unusual situations - legal history