Supervision for Limited, Provisional and

Conditional Registration Guideline

Supervision for Limited, Provisional and
Conditional Registration Guideline

Contents
Introduction 1

Who needs to use these guidelines? 1

Summary of guideline 1

Purpose of supervision 1

Scope of supervision 2

Responsibilities of supervisors 2

Responsibilities of supervisees 3

Good practice 3

References 3

Definitions 4

Attachment A
Health Practitioners Regulation National Law Act 2009 5
Supervision for Limited, Provisional and
Conditional Registration Guideline
Introduction
This guideline on supervision for limited, provisional
and conditional registration has been developed by
the Physiotherapy Board of Australia under s. 39 of the
Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act 2009 (‘the
National Law’).
The guideline provides direction about the interpretation of
the provisions of the National Law that relate to supervision
including sections 35, 52, 57, 62, 65, 66, 82, 83, 99, 178,
191, 196, 271 and 303.
The relevant sections of the National law are set out in
Attachment A.
As a guideline approved by a National Board it may
be used as evidence of what constitutes appropriate
professional conduct or practice for physiotherapy in
proceedings under the National Law or a law of a co-
regulatory jurisdiction against a health practitioner.
When supervisory arrangements are put in place,
both supervisor and supervisee are accountable to
the Physiotherapy Board of Australia for fulfilling their
respective responsibilities and non-compliance with these
guidelines may result in action by the Board.
Supervision in the context of this guideline involves a
registered physiotherapist assessing, monitoring and
reporting to the Physiotherapy Board of Australia about the
performance of the physiotherapist being supervised.
NOT covered in this guideline is:
• Supervision of students and therapy assistants.
• Mentoring of new graduates or more junior
physiotherapists.
Performance review responsibilities of managers.
Who needs to use these
guidelines?
This guideline applies to all physiotherapists registered in
categories: general, specialist, limited and provisional.
It is relevant to:
• Registered physiotherapists supervising other
physiotherapists with limited registration or registration
with conditions.
• Physiotherapists under supervision holding or seeking
limited registration, including overseas graduates.
• Physiotherapists under supervision with conditions
on registration due to conduct, performance or health
issues.
Physiotherapists under supervision who are returning to
practice after an absence of five years or more.
Summary of guideline
Physiotherapy patients, clients and consumers have
the right to expect delivery of safe, competent and
contemporary services where care is provided under
supervisory arrangements.
Physiotherapists with limited or provisional registration or
conditions on registration may be required to work under
supervision to bring their level of competence up to that
required for general registration or because a conduct,
performance or health issue has been assessed as
impacting on practice.
This guideline sets out the purpose and scope of
supervision in these circumstances and the respective
roles and responsibilities of supervisors and supervisees.
Purpose of supervision
The purpose of supervision in the context of this guideline
is to assess, monitor and support physiotherapists to
progressively develop competencies required for general
registration during a period of restricted practice and
at the same time ensure delivery of safe and effective
professional services.
Supervision aims to improve outcomes for patients, clients
and consumers by assisting the supervisee to:
• Better understand issues associated with clinical
practice.
• Attain new insights and perspectives.
• Develop knowledge and skills.
• Gain greater experience and competence.
• Provide care that is safe.
• Develop a culture of continuous learning and quality
improvement.
For physiotherapists who have attained qualifications
outside Australia, part of the purpose of supervision must
be an introduction to the Australian healthcare system
and this must be embedded in individual supervision
plans. This applies irrespective of whether supervisees are
only working in Australia for a short period or undergoing
the Australian Physiotherapy Council (APC) assessment
process to be eligible for general registration.
For physiotherapists with conditions on registration
requiring supervision, part of the purpose of supervision is
to address issues leading to the imposition of conditions
and this must be imbedded in individual supervision plans.
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Supervision for Limited, Provisional and
Conditional Registration Guideline
Conditions may relate to conduct, performance or health
matters that impact on practice. Conditions requiring
supervision may also apply to physiotherapists returning to
practice after a prolonged period of absence.
For all supervised physiotherapists the type and level of
supervision must be matched to individual needs and
capabilities and supervisory arrangements need to be
modified over time in keeping with progress made.
The minimum level of competence expected at the
end of the period of supervision is that of an entry level
practitioner capable of complying with professional
standards as set out in the Australian Physiotherapy
Council document ‘Australian Standards for
Physiotherapy’. This document provides a benchmark for
the knowledge, skills and attributes of a safe and effective
entry level physiotherapist.
Scope of supervision
Supervisory arrangements that come within the scope of
these guidelines are specifically to assist supervisees to
develop competencies required for general registration
and ensure safe practice. This involves responsibilities and
accountabilities that are distinct from staff management
responsibilities or mentoring arrangements.
Supervision entails a structured approach and direct
supervision must be a component of all supervision
arrangements. However, to assist assessment, planning,
implementation and evaluation, as well as to maintain
open lines of communication, direct supervision may be
complemented by various other measures. These may
include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Group supervision.
• Face to face discussion and meetings.
• Videoconferencing.
• Videotaping.
• Case presentations and case conferences.
• Review of readings, scenarios and education sessions.
• Telephone calls.
• Written communiqués in hard copy or electronic
format.
• Self evaluation tools.
Flexibility in supervisory arrangements is essential to
ensure the diverse settings, complexities of different
cases, individual capabilities and expectations can be
accommodated. Nevertheless it is expected that there
is onsite access to supervisors in the order of 75% of
the supervisees work time or as otherwise agreed by the
Physiotherapy Board of Australia. Given the multitude of
variables and practicalities it is important for supervisor
and supervisee to clarify the structure, parameters and
milestones for the supervision arrangements at the outset
and to regularly review progress.
Reports to the Physiotherapy Board of Australia
should focus on accountability and must address
criteria stipulated by the Board as applicable to the
physiotherapist being supervised and be in accordance
with any conditions on registration and/or Tribunal
directions.
Initial reports setting out supervision plans should include
information about assessment of supervision needs and
how decisions about supervision plans were determined.
Progress reports should include changes in supervisory
arrangements over time and rationale for changes, as well
as achievements by the supervised physiotherapist and
any emerging issues.
Reports should be in a format approved by the
Physiotherapy Board of Australia.
Responsibilities of supervisors
Registered physiotherapists supervising other
physiotherapists must:
1. Take responsibility for the interventions carried out by
others working under their instruction or direction, as
well as their own interventions.
2. Understand their legal and professional responsibilities
and act accordingly.
3. Understand the significance of supervision as a
professional undertaking and commit to this role.
4. Disclose any potential conflict of interest, such as a
personal relationship.
5. Understand that the responsibility for determining
the type and amount of supervision required must
be informed by the supervisor’s assessment of the
person to be supervised and act accordingly.
6. Ensure that supervisees:
i) Understand their legal responsibilities and
constraints within which they must operate.
ii) Follow the ethical principles that apply to
physiotherapy practice.
7. Only delegate tasks that are appropriate to the role of
those being supervised and are within the scope of
training and capability of the individual.
8. Provide clear direction.
9. Be accountable to the Physiotherapy Board
of Australia and provide honest, accurate and
responsible reports as required.
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Supervision for Limited, Provisional and
Conditional Registration Guideline
10. Be experienced practitioners, usually with a minimum
of five years experience, and hold general or specialist
registration.
Responsibilities of supervisees
Physiotherapists being supervised by a registered
physiotherapist must:
1. Inform the supervisor at the outset of their experience,
needs, incidents relevant to their need for supervision
and concerns.
2. Participate in assessments undertaken by the
supervisor to assist in determining capabilities, needs
and progress.
3. Familiarise themselves with legal and professional
responsibilities and comply with these.
4. Familiarise themselves with safety policies and
procedures and comply with these.
5. Follow directions and instruction from the supervisor
and ask questions to clarify where necessary.
6. Advise the supervisor of any uncertainties and
incidents during the period of supervision.
7. Reflect on and respond to feedback.
Good practice
There are various elements which contribute to good
practice in supervision including the following:
Supervision policies and procedures – These provide
structure and guidance and set parameters for how
supervision is undertaken in a specific workplace. They
help inform not only the supervisor and supervisee but also
others in the workplace so that there is an understanding
of the respective roles of those involved in supervisory
arrangements and how that fits with the operation of the
workplace as a whole.
Supervisor education and support – Supervisors need
to be able to access professional development and
support which specifically enhances knowledge and
supervisory skills. Availability of professional development
in supervision can encourage involvement of a broad mix
of experienced practitioners from various professional
backgrounds and work environments and enhance
prospects of supervisees being placed with a supervisor
well suited to address variable individual needs.
Supervisor qualities – Qualities in a supervisor that
contribute to successful supervision include ability to:
• Commit at a personal level to the role and
responsibilities of a supervisor.
• Listen carefully to a supervisee and understand their
needs and expectations.
• Set and review milestones with a supervisee.
• Adapt to changing needs and progress over time.
• Provide specific feedback on performance in a
constructive manner.
• Provide encouragement.
• Write clear reports that address issues specific to
individual needs of a supervisee.
Supervisee qualities – Qualities expected of a supervisee
include ability to:
• Commit to the learning process and develop.
• Listen carefully and follow direction.
• Work to achieve agreed milestones.
• Change behaviour and practices in keeping with input
from the supervisor.
• Keep the supervisor informed.
• Be appropriately questioning.
Evaluation processes – As well as monitoring and
evaluating progress of individual supervisees, there should
be processes in place to monitor and evaluate supervisory
arrangements more widely including safety issues and
impact on patients, clients and consumers and service
outcomes.
Emergency provisions – Measures need to be in place to
manage unexpected or adverse events. Such measures
should include:
• Providing for a second supervisor or alternative
backup in the event of both planned and unexpected
absences of the primary supervisor.
• Ensuring there is adequate communication with a
second or backup supervisor about assessment,
progress and any areas of concern.
• Procedures for the supervisee where they may be
involved in an adverse event.
• Clarity about the supervisor intervening in an
emergency situation.
References
‘Australian Standards for Physiotherapy’ - Australian
Physiotherapy Council, July 2006.
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Supervision for Limited, Provisional and
Conditional Registration Guideline

Physiotherapy Board of Australia considers necessary

Definitions or desirable given the circumstances of the individual.
Supervision – engagement of a physiotherapist with Conditions may be applied for conduct, performance or
general or specialist registration in assessing, monitoring health purposes and include directions of a Tribunal.
and reporting to the Physiotherapy Board of Australia
about the performance of a physiotherapist with limited,
provisional or conditional Registration.

Supervisor – a physiotherapist holding general registration Date of issue: 1 July 2010

who has undertaken to assess, monitor and report to the
Physiotherapy Board of Australia about the performance Date of review: This guideline will be reviewed at least
of a physiotherapist with limited, provisional or conditional every three years
Registration.
Last reviewed:
Supervisee – a physiotherapist holding limited, provisional
or conditional registration acting under the guidance and
direction of a physiotherapist with general or specialist
registration in order to gain the knowledge, skills and
attributes required for safe and effective professional
practice and competencies required for general
registration.

Limited registration – a category of registration that

enables a physiotherapist who is not qualified for general
registration to undertake restricted practice under the
guidance and direction of a registered physiotherapist.
Conditions also apply to restrict duration and location of
practice.

Limited registration may apply for:

1. Postgraduate training or supervised practice –

this provides for a physiotherapist not meeting
general registration requirements to participate
in a physiotherapy course or program or to
undertake assessment or examination, such as
the Australian Physiotherapy Council assessment
process for overseas qualified physiotherapists.

2. In the public interest – this provides for a

physiotherapist not meeting general registration
requirements to meet a specific need that would
serve the public interest, such as assisting with
workforce shortage.

3. For teaching and research – this provides for a

physiotherapist not meeting general registration
requirements to fill a teaching or research position
where they are otherwise equipped to fulfill the
role.

Provisional registration – a category of registration

that enables a physiotherapist to complete a period of
supervised practice in order to be eligible for general
registration.

Conditional registration – registration held by a

physiotherapist which is subject of conditions the

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Supervision for Limited, Provisional and
Conditional Registration Guideline

admissible in proceedings under this Law or a law of a

Attachment A co-regulatory
Health Practitioners Regulation
jurisdiction against a health practitioner registered by
National Law Act 2009 the Board as evidence of what constitutes appropriate
professional conduct or practice for the health profession.
General provisions Specific provisions

Division 3 Registration standards and Provisions of the National Law that refer to supervised
codes and guidelines practice are ss. 35, 62, 66, 178, 191, 196 and 271.

39 Codes and guidelines

A National Board may develop and approve codes and

guidelines—

(a) to provide guidance to the health practitioners it

registers; and

(b) about other matters relevant to the exercise of its

functions.

Example. A National Board may develop guidelines about

the advertising of regulated health services by health
practitioners registered by the Board or other persons for
the purposes of section 133.

40 Consultation about registration standards, codes and

guidelines

(1) If a National Board develops a registration standard

or a code or guideline, it must ensure there is wide-
ranging consultation about its content.

(2) A contravention of subsection (1) does not invalidate

a registration standard, code or guideline.

(3) The following must be published on a National

Board’s website—

(a) a registration standard developed by the

Board and approved by the Ministerial
Council;

(b) a code or guideline approved by the National

Board.

(4) An approved registration standard or a code or

guideline takes effect—

(a) on the day it is published on the National

Board’s website; or

(b) if a later day is stated in the registration

standard, code or guideline, on that day.

41 Use of registration standards, codes or guidelines

in disciplinary proceedings

An approved registration standard for a health profession,

or a code or guideline approved by a National Board, is