<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" citation="COMAR 10.46.06.04" title_num="10" subtitle_num="46" chapter_num="06" heading="Standards of Competence for Electrical Modalities.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>An occupational therapist, or occupational therapy assistant under the periodic supervision of an occupational therapist, who wishes to use occupational therapy procedures involving electrical physical agent modalities shall maintain, for the duration of the licensee's professional career, verification of didactic education and clinical requirements.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Didactic Education. For each electrical physical agent modality, didactic education shall include:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Principles of physics related to specific properties of light, water, temperature, sound, and electricity;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Physiological, neurophysiological, and electrophysiological changes which occur as a result of the application of the selected modality;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The response of normal and abnormal tissue to the application of the modality;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Indications and contraindications related to the selection and application of the modality;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>The guidelines for treatment or administration of the modality within the philosophical framework of occupational therapy;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>The guidelines for educating the patient, including instructing the patient about the process and possible outcomes of treatment, including its risks and benefits;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Safety rules and precautions related to the selected modality;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>Methods of documenting the effectiveness of immediate and long-term effects of treatment;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>Characteristics of equipment including safe operation, adjustment, and care of the equipment; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(10)">
      <text>Application and storage of patient specific pharmacological agents.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Clinical Requirements. Before applying physical agent modalities to a client under this chapter, a licensee shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Complete 15 contact hours of continuing education relative to electrical physical agent modalities which includes a minimum of:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>5 contact hours specific to ultrasound; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>5 contact hours specific to electromuscular stimulation; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>After completing all 15 contact hours of education, a licensee shall apply a minimum of five client treatments within the context of a therapeutic treatment program for each specific modality under the direct clinical education of an educator as defined in this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>