Professional behavior
Guideline for standards of physical therapy practice
Purpose:
This guideline provides details on the statement of performance and conditions to
which WCPT expects physical therapists to aspire, to provide high quality physical
therapy professional services to society. They represent the physical therapy
profession’s commitment to society to promote optimal health and function in
individuals and populations by pursuing excellence in practice. These standards
provide the basis for physical therapy practice in all settings, including clinics,
hospitals, schools and commercial premises.
1- Administration and practice management
I- Administration
A physical therapist is responsible for the direction of the physical therapy
service.
The physical therapist who is responsible for the direction of the physical
therapy service shall:
1- ensure compliance with legal requirements.
2- ensure compliance with current standards of practice for physical therapy
and code of ethics.
3- review and updates policies and procedures and ensure that services are
provided in accordance with them
4- provide for continuous in-service training on safety issues and for
periodic safety inspection of equipment by qualified individuals
5- undertake an evaluation of clinical practice, ensuring that:
a) confidentiality is maintained throughout evaluation and audit activities
b) clinical documentation is audited regularly
c) clinical audit tools are used to evaluate clinical practice
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Professional behavior
Guideline for standards of physical therapy practice
The physical therapy manager ensures the provision of the following, as
appropriate:
a) a job description for each staff member and a formal appraisal system
b) regular staff meetings
c) annual report
d) all policies and procedures are available to staff
II- Collaboration
The physical therapy service collaborates with all professionals as
appropriate.
The physical therapist shall be aware of the qualifications and roles of other
professionals involved in comprehensive patient care in collaboration with
them to provide quality patient services.
The collaboration when appropriate:
a) uses a team approach to the management of patients
b) provides instruction to patients and families
c) ensures professional development and continuing education
When physical therapists are members of a multi-professional team
providing services for the patient, they will ensure that:
a) relevant information is sought and communicated promptly and clearly
within the team
b) operational policies exist for cross referral to other professionals in the
team, discharge, and transfer of patients
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Professional behavior
Guideline for standards of physical therapy practice
c) evidence exists of participation in case conferences, rounds, individual
patient program meetings, discharge planning, and collaborative
patient/client records
d) the physical therapy goals comply with the team goals
III- Communication
Communication links exist between staff, the director/manager of the
service, and the organization to optimize the quality of the patient/client
services provided.
The physical therapy director/manager ensures the appropriate
communication and availability of service.
Specific organizational policies, procedures and documents including:
a) a job/position description for each staff member and a formal appraisal
system
b) annual report
c) objectives of the organization and an organization chart
IV- Fiscal management
The director/manager of the physical therapy service, in consultation with
physical therapy staff and appropriate administrative personnel, participates
in planning for and allocation of resources. Fiscal planning and management
of the service is based on sound accounting principles.
The fiscal management plan:
a) includes a budget that provides for optimal use of resources
b) ensures accurate recording and reporting of financial information
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Professional behavior
Guideline for standards of physical therapy practice
c) ensures compliance with legal requirements
d) uses a fee schedule that is consistent with the cost of physical therapy
services and that is within customary norms of reason and fairness
considers the option of providing pro bono service
V- Mission, purposes and goals
The physical therapy service has a statement of mission, vision and goals
that reflects the needs and interests of the patients served.
The statement of mission, purposes and goals:
a) defines the scope and limitations of the physical therapy service
b) identifies the goals and objectives of the service
c) is reviewed annually
VI- Organizational plan
The physical therapy service has a written organizational plan that:
a) describes relationships among components within the physical therapy
service and, where the service is part of a larger organization, between
the service and the other components of that organization
b) ensures that the service is directed by a physical therapist
c) defines supervisory structures within the service
d) reflects current personnel functions
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Professional behavior
Guideline for standards of physical therapy practice
VII- Physical setting
The physical setting is designed to provide a safe and accessible
environment that facilitates fulfilment of the mission, vision and goals of the
physical therapy service. The equipment is safe and sufficient to achieve the
purposes and goals of physical therapy.
The physical setting is planned, constructed and equipped to provide
adequate space and the proper environment to meet the professional,
educational, and administrative needs of the service with safety and
efficiency.
The physical setting shall:
a) meet all applicable legal requirements for health and safety
b) have fire exits that are clearly marked and kept free of obstruction
c) meet space needs appropriate for the number and type of patients/clients
served
d) provide reception and waiting facilities with consideration to people with
disabilities
e) provide treatment areas that offer privacy, security and comfort
VIII- Equipment
The equipment meets all applicable legal requirements for health and safety
and accessibility.
The equipment is inspected and maintained routinely.
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Professional behavior
Guideline for standards of physical therapy practice
IX- Policies and procedures
The physical therapy service has written policies and procedures that reflect
the mission, purposes and goals of the service, and are consistent with the
WCPT Member Organization’s standards, policies, positions, guidelines and
Code of Ethics.
The written policies and procedures:
a) are reviewed regularly and revised as necessary
b) apply to, but are not limited to:
□ clinical education
□ clinical research
□ collaboration
□ competency assessment
□ continuing education/professional development
□ criteria for access to care
□ criteria for initiation and continuation of care
□ criteria for referral to other appropriate health care providers
□ criteria for termination of care
□ disaster plan
□ documentation
□ emergency plans (to include patient/client and facility)
□ equipment maintenance, including urgent repair and replacement
□ fiscal management
□ improvement of quality of care and performance of services
□ infection control
□ job/position descriptions
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Professional behavior
Guideline for standards of physical therapy practice
□ patient/client and environmental safety and health issues
□ patient/client management, including guidelines
□ personnel
□ rights of patients/clients
□ staff orientation
□ transfer of patients
X- Referral
A referral system is in place to ensure that patients/clients can access a
physical therapist either by direct access or from an appropriate referral
source.
XI- Staff
• The physical therapy personnel affiliated with the physical therapy service
have demonstrated competence and are sufficient in number to achieve the
mission, purposes and goals of the service.
• The physical therapy service has staff that:
a) meet all legal requirements regarding licensure, registration and
certification of appropriate personnel
b) ensure that the level of expertise within the service is appropriate to
the needs of the patients/clients served
• Staff members are aware of their responsibilities as employees under any
appropriate Health and Safety Acts and attend training sessions as necessary.
• Staff members participate in the quality assurance program, and information
from quality assurance activities is accessible to all staff.
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Professional behavior
Guideline for standards of physical therapy practice
XII- Staff development
The physical therapy service has a written plan that provides for appropriate
and ongoing staff development.
The staff development plan:
a) includes self-assessment, individual goal setting and organizational needs in
directing continuing education and learning activities
b) includes strategies for lifelong learning and professional and career
development
c) includes mechanisms to foster mentorship activities.
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