Module 5, Lecture 2

Physiotherapy Practice in Canada

Assignment, Delegation and
Supervision of Care

Objectives of this Lecture

Define what is meant by supervision, assignment and

1 delegation of care.

Outline who physiotherapists can supervise or assign

2 care to.

Describe physiotherapist’s responsibilities and

3 accountabilities when supervising or assigning care to
others.
 Physiotherapist’s Role

Assess and Triage Patient Set up care

Screen Patients plans

Assignment of Physiotherapy Tasks

Many routine physiotherapy tasks are

being assigned to physiotherapy
assistants or aides under the
supervision of the physiotherapist.
 The Physiotherapist Must Understand

● What is meant by the assignment,

delegation and supervision of care.

● The responsibilities and

accountabilities of the
physiotherapist who is assigning,
delegating or supervising care.

Assignment of Care

The designation of any care

activities and tasks such as a
physiotherapy assistant, aide or
student physiotherapist
 Assigning Care - Example

Teaching quadriceps strengthening

exercises

Delegation of Care

The assignment or transfer of

a function.
 Delegating Care - Example

Referral for the the assessment for

wheelchair seating to an
Occupational Therapist.

Assignment of Care - Preferred Term

Assignment of Quadriceps Delegating (referral) for

Exercises Wheelchair Seating

PT Remains Responsible Transfers Responsibility

to the OT
 Supervision of Care

Overseeing the work of an individual

to ensure that he or she has the
knowledge, skills and abilities to
perform a given task.

Supervision Requirements

Know Set Clear Evaluate Give

Competence Expectations Performance Feedback
 Objectives of this Lecture

Define what is meant by supervision, assignment and

1 delegation of care.

Outline who physiotherapists can supervise or assign

2 care to.

Describe physiotherapist’s responsibilities and

3 accountabilities when supervising or assigning care to
others.

Who Physiotherapists Assign Care To

Physiotherapy or Physiotherapy Aides Kinesiologists

Therapy Assistants
 Physiotherapy Aides

Equipment Cleaning
Indirect Care Setting-Up

Trained on the job Porter Patients

Physiotherapy Aides

Physiotherapy or Therapy Assistants

Two year College or Provide direct patient

University Education care
 Physiotherapy or Therapy Assistants
Physiotherapy assistants are defined as “trained personnel who
assist in the provision of physiotherapy services under the
direction and supervision of a registered/licensed physiotherapist.
The role of the physiotherapy assistant is to assist the
physiotherapist in ensuring that physiotherapy services are
delivered in a safe, effective and efficient manner. Physiotherapy
assistants help provide physiotherapy services that achieve and
maintain optimal client outcomes.”

Canadian Physiotherapy Association

Physiotherapy Assistant Education Programs

Gait + transfers
Pathology Exercise

Physiology Modalities

Anatomy Psychology
 Physiotherapy Assistant Skills
Perform some chest PT

Assess ROM Walk patients

Teach exercises Outcomes measures

Apply modalities Document in Chart

Essential Competency Profile for Physiotherapy Assistants in

Canada
 Objectives of this Lecture

Define what is meant by supervision, assignment and

1 delegation of care.

Outline who physiotherapists can supervise or assign

2 care to.

Describe physiotherapist’s responsibilities and

3 accountabilities when supervising or assigning care to
others.

Key Responsibilities - Assigning and Supervising Care

Only assign tasks that the

physiotherapist and the physiotherapy
assistant are competent to perform.
 The Physiotherapy Assistant - Competency

Knowledge Skills Attitudes

To Safely and Effectively Carry Out the Task

Key Responsibilities - Assigning and Supervising Care

The physiotherapist also needs to

consider if it is appropriate to assign the
task given the context of the situation,
the acuity of the patient, and the
amount of clinical judgement required.
 Examples - Assigning and Supervising Care

Stable Patient in Unstable

Long Term Care Neurosurgery Patient

Key Responsibilities - Assigning and Supervising Care

The physiotherapist determines a

supervision plan that outlines what is
being assigned, how often the task is being
assigned, responsibilities, and the
expected outcome.
 Examples - Assigning and Supervising Care

PT Assesses Assigns Task Meets with PTA

Walking to PTA to Discuss Plan

Key Responsibilities - Assigning and Supervising Care

The physiotherapist needs to work

collaboratively with the physiotherapy
assistant and seek regular feedback
about the patient’s status and give
regular feedback to the assistant about
their performance.
 Examples - Assigning and Supervising Care

Patient is not PT and PTA work

progressing collaboratively to
problem solve

Accountability of the Physiotherapist

The physiotherapist is ultimately

responsible for appropriately
assigning care and the supervision
plan.
Accountability of the Physiotherapy Assistant

The physiotherapy assistant is

responsible for their own
performance in carrying it out
the assigned task.

Assignment and Supervision of Care

Achieving effective assignment

of care boils down to good
teamwork and the competency
of both the physiotherapist and
the physiotherapy assistant,
student or aide.
 In Review

Physiotherapists in most settings are responsible for assigning

1 care to a physiotherapy assistant, aide or student.
 Physiotherapists in most settings are responsible for assigning
1 care to a physiotherapy assistant, aide or student.

The physiotherapist has a responsibility to ensure the assistant,

2 aide or student has the competency to safely and effectively
carry out the assigned task.

Physiotherapists in most settings are responsible for assigning

1 care to a physiotherapy assistant, aide or student.

The physiotherapist has a responsibility to ensure the assistant,

2 aide or student has the competency to safely and effectively
carry out the assigned task.

3 The physiotherapist is also responsible for ensuring that a

suitable supervision plan is in place
 Physiotherapists in most settings are responsible for assigning
1 care to a physiotherapy assistant, aide or student.

The physiotherapist has a responsibility to ensure the assistant,

2 aide or student has the competency to safely and effectively
carry out the assigned task.

3 The physiotherapist is also responsible for ensuring that a

suitable supervision plan is in place

The physiotherapist is ultimately accountable for any task

4 assigned to a physiotherapy assistant, aide or student.

Thank you for listening