# COMAR Title 10 — Maryland Department of Health

## Subtitle 38 — Board of Physical Therapy Examiners

### Chapter 04 — Physical Therapy Aide

**Authority:** Health Occupations Article, §13-206, Annotated Code of Maryland

**Administrative History:** Effective date: November 8, 1982 (9:22 Md. R. 2197)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .01 amended effective April 16, 2001 (28:7 Md. R. 690)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .01B amended effective November 1, 1999 (26:22 Md. R. 1693)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .01 amended effective December 25, 2000 (27:25 Md. R. 2282)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .02C adopted effective November 1, 1999 (26:22 Md. R. 1693)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .03 amended effective November 1, 1999 (26:22 Md. R. 1693); December 25, 2000 (27:25 Md. R. 2282)

#### Regulation .01 Definition.

*COMAR 10.38.04.01*

A. In these regulations, the following term has the meaning indicated.

B. Term Defined. “Physical therapy aide” or “aide” means a person who performs certain physical therapy duties under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist. This individual may be known, also, as a physical therapy technician, a rehabilitation technician, an athletic trainer, or be described by some other similar title.

#### Regulation .02 Requirements.

*COMAR 10.38.04.02*

A. Supervision.

  (1) The physical therapy aide shall be under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist when performing those physical therapy treatments that the aide is permitted to perform.

  (2) Exceptions. An aide may:

    (a) Perform non-treatment-related activities, such as secretarial, clerical, and housekeeping duties without direct supervision;

    (b) Perform patient-related activities that do not involve treatment (such as transporting patients, undressing and dressing patients, removing and applying assistive and supportive devices) without direct supervision;

    (c) Assist a physical therapist assistant when more than one individual is required to ensure the safety and welfare of the patient during ambulation, transfers, or functional activities without direct supervision.

B. In-Service Training. There shall be documented evidence of sufficient in-service training to assure safe performance of the duties assigned to the aide.

#### Regulation .03 Activities Which May Be Performed by Aides under Direct Supervision.

*COMAR 10.38.04.03*

The following activities may be performed by aides under direct supervision:

A. Assist in the practice of gait and ambulation;

B. Assist in the practice of functional activities;

C. Assist in the practice of transfers;

D. Assist in the routine follow-up of specific exercises;

E. Assist in the application of hot or cold packs;

F. Assist in the procedure of Hubbard tank;

G. Assist in the procedure of whirlpool;

H. Assist in the application of contrast bath;

I. Assist in the application of infrared; and

J. Assist in the application of paraffin bath.

#### Regulation .04 Prohibited Activities.

*COMAR 10.38.04.04*

A. Evaluation may not be performed by aides.

B. Treatments other than those listed in Regulation .03 of this chapter may not be performed by aides.

#### Regulation .05 Penalty.

*COMAR 10.38.04.05*

A physical therapy aide who violates the above regulations shall be considered by the Board to be practicing physical therapy in violation of the Maryland Physical Therapy Practice Act and may be referred to the appropriate State's Attorney's Office with a recommendation by the Board that the physical therapy aide be prosecuted.