Section 246-915-180. Professional conduct principles.

(1) The patient's lawful consent is to be obtained before any information related to the patient is released, except to the consulting or referring authorized health care practitioner and/or authorized governmental agency(s).

(a) Physical therapists are responsible for answering legitimate inquiries regarding a patient's physical dysfunction and treatment progress, and

(b) Information is to be provided by physical therapists and physical therapist assistants to insurance companies for billing purposes only.

(2) Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants are not to compensate or to give anything of value to a representative of the press, radio, television, or other communication medium in anticipation of, or in return for, professional publicity in a news item. A paid advertisement is to be identified as such unless it is apparent from the context it is a paid advertisement.

(3) It is the physical therapist's and physical therapist assistant's responsibility to report any unprofessional, incompetent or illegal acts that are in violation of chapter 18.74 RCW or any rules established by the board.

(4) It is the physical therapist's and physical therapist assistant's responsibility to recognize the boundaries of his or her own professional competencies and that he or she uses only those in which he or she can prove training and experience.

(5) Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants shall recognize the need for continuing education and shall be open to new procedures and changes.

(6) It is the physical therapist's and physical therapist assistant's responsibility to represent his or her academic credentials in a way that is not misleading to the public.

(7) It is the responsibility of the physical therapist and physical therapist assistant to refrain from undertaking any activity in which his or her personal problems are likely to lead to inadequate performance or harm to a client and/or colleague.

(8) A physical therapist and physical therapist assistant shall not use or allow to be used any form of public communication or advertising connected with his or her profession or in his or her professional capacity as a physical therapist which:

(a) Is false, fraudulent, deceptive, or misleading;

(b) Guarantees any treatment or result;

(c) Makes claims of professional superiority.

(9) Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants are to recognize that each individual is different from all other individuals and to be tolerant of and responsive to those differences.

(10) Physical therapists shall not receive reimbursement for evaluating or treating him or herself.

(11) Physical therapists shall only delegate physical therapy tasks to trained supportive personnel as defined in WAC 246-915-010 (4)(a) and (b).

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.74.023. WSR 08-17-026, § 246-915-180, filed 8/13/08, effective 8/13/08; WSR 05-06-023, § 246-915-180, filed 2/22/05, effective 3/25/05; WSR 92-08-039 (Order 259B), § 246-915-180, filed 3/24/92, effective 4/24/92; WSR 91-05-094 (Order 144B), § 246-915-180, filed 2/20/91, effective 3/23/91; WSR 91-02-011 (Order 103B), recodified as § 246-915-180, filed 12/21/90, effective 1/31/91; WSR 84-13-057 (Order PL 471), § 308-42-150, filed 6/19/84.]

RCW 18.74.023. WSR 08-17-026, § 246-915-180, filed 8/13/08, effective 8/13/08; WSR 05-06-023, § 246-915-180, filed 2/22/05, effective 3/25/05; WSR 92-08-039 (Order 259B), § 246-915-180, filed 3/24/92, effective 4/24/92; WSR 91-05-094 (Order 144B), § 246-915-180, filed 2/20/91, effective 3/23/91; WSR 91-02-011 (Order 103B), recodified as § 246-915-180, filed 12/21/90, effective 1/31/91; WSR 84-13-057 (Order PL 471), § 308-42-150, filed 6/19/84.

Rules

246-915-010,