What kinds of supervision are required for physical therapist assistants?
Supervision of a physical therapist assistant by a physical therapist must be on site, that is, in the same building, but not necessarily direct personal supervision, that is, in the same room. For patients on a maintenance care program in residential health care facilities or certain other sites defined by the mental hygiene law, supervision of the physical therapist assistant by the physical therapist must be continuous but not necessarily on site. Continuous but not necessarily on site supervision is also required in home care services settings and in schools. In general one physical therapist may supervise no more than four physical therapist assistants. In a home care services setting, a physical therapist may supervise no more than two physical therapist assistants. Without exception, the physical therapist is responsible for evaluating the patient, setting patient goals, establishing a plan of care, and determining whether it is appropriate for the patient to receive the service
