Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant PDF

Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant HOD S06-20-31-26 [Amended HOD S06-19-47-68; HOD S06-09-20-18; HOD S06-00-13-24; HOD 06-91-06-07; Initial HOD 06-82-04-08] [Standard] Preamble The Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant (Standards of Ethica...

Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant HOD S06-20-31-26 [Amended HOD S06-19-47-68; HOD S06-09-20-18; HOD S06-00-13-24; HOD 06-91-06-07; Initial HOD 06-82-04-08] [Standard] Preamble The Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant (Standards of Ethical Conduct) delineate the ethical obligations of all physical therapist assistants as determined by the House of Delegates of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). The Standards of Ethical Conduct provide a foundation for conduct to which all physical therapist assistants shall adhere. Physical therapist assistants are guided by a set of core values (accountability, altruism, collaboration, compassion and caring, duty, excellence, integrity, and social responsibility). Throughout the document the primary core values that support specific principles are indicated in parentheses. Fundamental to the Standards of Ethical Conduct is the special obligation of physical therapist assistants to enable patients and clients to achieve greater independence, health and wellness, and enhanced quality of life. No document that delineates ethical standards can address every situation. Physical therapist assistants are encouraged to seek additional advice or consultation in instances where the guidance of the Standards of Ethical Conduct may not be definitive. The APTA Guide for Conduct of the Physical Therapist Assistant and Core Values for the Physical Therapist and Physical Therapist Assistant provide additional guidance. Standards Standard #1: Physical therapist assistants shall respect the inherent dignity, and rights, of all individuals. (Core Values: Compassion and Caring, Integrity) 1A. Physical therapist assistants shall act in a respectful manner toward each person regardless of age, gender, race, nationality, religion, ethnicity, social or economic status, sexual orientation, health condition, or disability. 1B. Physical therapist assistants shall recognize their personal biases and shall not discriminate against others in the provision of physical therapist services. Standard #2: Physical therapist assistants shall be trustworthy and compassionate in addressing the rights and needs of patients and clients. (Core Values: Altruism, Collaboration, Compassion and Caring, Duty) 2A. Physical therapist assistants shall act in the best interests of patients and clients over the interests of the physical therapist assistant. 2B. Physical therapist assistants shall provide physical therapist interventions with compassionate and caring behaviors that incorporate the individual and cultural differences of patients and clients. 2C. Physical therapist assistants shall provide patients and clients with information regarding the interventions they provide. 2D. Physical therapist assistants shall protect confidential patient and client information and, in collaboration with the physical therapist, may disclose confidential information to appropriate authorities only when allowed or as required by law. Standard #3: Physical therapist assistants shall make sound decisions in collaboration with the physical therapist and within the boundaries established by laws and regulations. (Core Values: Collaboration, Duty, Excellence, Integrity) 3A. Physical therapist assistants shall make objective decisions in the patient’s or client’s best interest in all practice settings. 3B. Physical therapist assistants shall be guided by information about best practice regarding physical therapist interventions. ©2020 American Physical Therapy Association. All rights reserved. 3C. Physical therapist assistants shall make decisions based upon their level of competence and consistent with patient and client values. 3D. Physical therapist assistants shall not engage in conflicts of interest that interfere with making sound decisions. 3E. Physical therapist assistants shall provide physical therapist services under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist and shall communicate with the physical therapist when patient or client status requires modifications to the established plan of care. Standard #4: Physical therapist assistants shall demonstrate integrity in their relationships with patients and clients, families, colleagues, students, research participants other health care providers, employers, payers, and the public. (Core Value: Integrity) 4A. Physical therapist assistants shall provide truthful, accurate, and relevant information and shall not make misleading representations. 4B. Physical therapist assistants shall not exploit persons over whom they have supervisory, evaluative or other authority (eg, patients and clients, students, supervisees, research participants, or employees). 4C. Physical therapist assistants shall not engage in any sexual relationship with any of their patients and clients, supervisees, or students. 4D. Physical therapist assistants shall not harass anyone verbally, physically, emotionally, or sexually. 4E. Physical therapist assistants shall discourage misconduct by physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and other health care professionals and, when appropriate, report illegal or unethical acts, including verbal, physical, emotional, or sexual harassment, to an appropriate authority with jurisdiction over the conduct. 4F. Physical therapist assistants shall report suspected cases of abuse involving children or vulnerable adults to the appropriate authority, subject to law. Standard #5: Physical therapist assistants shall fulfill their legal and ethical obligations. (Core Values: Accountability, Duty, Social Responsibility) 5A. Physical therapist assistants shall comply with applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations. 5B. Physical therapist assistants shall support the supervisory role of the physical therapist to ensure quality care and promote patient and client safety. 5C. Physical therapist assistants involved in research shall abide by accepted standards governing protection of research participants. 5D. Physical therapist assistants shall encourage colleagues with physical, psychological, or substance- related impairments that may adversely impact their professional responsibilities to seek assistance or counsel. 5E. Physical therapist assistants who have knowledge that a colleague is unable to perform their professional responsibilities with reasonable skill and safety shall report this information to the appropriate authority. Standard #6: Physical therapist assistants shall enhance their competence through the lifelong acquisition and refinement of knowledge, skills, and abilities. (Core Value: Excellence) 6A. Physical therapist assistants shall achieve and maintain clinical competence. 6B. Physical therapist assistants shall engage in lifelong learning consistent with changes in their roles and responsibilities and advances in the practice of physical therapy. 6C. Physical therapist assistants shall support practice environments that support career development and lifelong learning. Standard #7: Physical therapist assistants shall support organizational behaviors and business practices that benefit patients and clients and society. (Core Values: Integrity, Accountability) 7A. Physical therapist assistants shall promote work environments that support ethical and accountable decision-making. 7B. Physical therapist assistants shall not accept gifts or other considerations that influence or give an appearance of influencing their decisions. American Physical Therapy Association / 2 7C. Physical therapist assistants shall fully disclose any financial interest they have in products or services that they recommend to patients and clients. 7D. Physical therapist assistants shall ensure that documentation for their interventions accurately reflects the nature and extent of the services provided. 7E. Physical therapist assistants shall refrain from employment arrangements, or other arrangements, that prevent physical therapist assistants from fulfilling ethical obligations to patients and clients Standard #8: Physical therapist assistants shall participate in efforts to meet the health needs of people locally, nationally, or globally. (Core Value: Social Responsibility) 8A. Physical therapist assistants shall support organizations that meet the health needs of people who are economically disadvantaged, uninsured, and underinsured. 8B. Physical therapist assistants shall advocate for people with impairments, activity limitations, participation restrictions, and disabilities in order to promote their participation in community and society. 8C. Physical therapist assistants shall be responsible stewards of health care resources by collaborating with physical therapists in order to avoid overutilization or underutilization of physical therapist services. 8D. Physical therapist assistants shall educate members of the public about the benefits of physical therapy. Explanation of Reference Numbers: HOD P00‐00‐00‐00 stands for House of Delegates/month/year/page/vote in the House of Delegates minutes; the "P" indicates that it is a position (see below). For example, HOD P06‐17‐05‐04 means that this position can be found in the June 2017 House of Delegates minutes on Page 5 and that it was Vote 4. P: Position | S: Standard | G: Guideline | Y: Policy | R: Procedure Last Updated: 8/12/2020 Contact: [email protected] American Physical Therapy Association / 3