The Vermont Statutes Online

Title 26 : Professions and Occupations

Chapter 038 : Physical Therapists

Subchapter 001 : GENERAL PROVISIONS

• § 2081a. Definitions

  As used in this chapter:

  (1) [Repealed.]

  (2) “Disciplinary action” or “disciplinary cases” includes any action taken by the administrative law officer appointed under 3 V.S.A. § 129(j) against a licensee or applicant premised upon a finding of wrongdoing or unprofessional conduct by the licensee or applicant. It includes all sanctions of any kind, including obtaining injunctions, suspending or revoking licenses, issuing conditions on practice, warnings, and other similar sanctions.

  (3) “Distance consultation” means the rendering of professional or expert opinion or advice to a licensed physical therapist, including the review or transfer of patient records or related information by means of audio, video, or data communications.

  (4) “Physical therapist” means a person who has met all the conditions of this chapter and is licensed for the practice of physical therapy in this State.

  (5) “Physical therapist assistant” means a person who has met the conditions of this chapter and is licensed to perform selected physical therapy interventions and related tasks that have been assigned by the supervising physical therapist.

  (6) “Physical therapy” means the care and services provided by or under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist who is licensed pursuant to this chapter.

  (7) “Physical therapy aide” means a person, trained under the direction of a physical therapist, who performs designated and supervised routine physical therapy tasks.

  (8) “Practice of physical therapy” means:

  (A) examining, evaluating, and testing, in order to determine a plan of care inclusive of appropriate therapeutic interventions and expected outcome and effect of the interventions of individuals with:

  (i) mechanical, physiological, and developmental impairments;

  (ii) functional limitations in physical movement and mobility;

  (iii) disabilities; and

  (iv) other movement-related conditions;

  (B) alleviating impairments and functional limitations in physical movement and mobility and disabilities by developing, implementing, and modifying treatment interventions; or

  (C) reducing the risk of injury, impairment, functional limitation, and disability related to physical movement and mobility, including the promotion and maintenance of fitness, health, and wellness related to movement and function. (Added 1997, No. 40, § 25; amended 2005, No. 27, § 54; 2007, No. 141 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. July 1, 2009; 2007, No. 163 (Adj. Sess.), § 14.)