Physiotherapists

Restricted Activities

A restricted activity is a regulated health service that by law can only be performed by individuals authorized to perform them. Restricted activities for physiotherapists are divided into two categories:

  • Basic authorized activities
  • Advanced authorized activities

 

Basic authorized activities

All physiotherapists may, in the practice of physiotherapy and within the practice standards, perform a basic activity if they are competent to do so and it is appropriate to their area of practice.  These are:

  • Assessing and treating TMJ dysfunction
  • Inserting and removing catheters
  • Reducing a dislocation of a joint
  • Suctioning or instillation
  • Treating urological, gynaecological and rectal conditions
  • Wound debridement and care

 

Advanced authorized activities

Only authorized physiotherapists on the general or courtesy register may perform the following activities. Authorization is noted on the physiotherapist's practice permit once granted.

  • Order diagnostic imaging (limited to x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound imaging)
  • Perform spinal manipulation
  • Use needles in practice for the purpose of needle acupuncture, intramuscular stimulation or biofeedback

 

Authorization 

  1. Education/experience
  • Spinal manipulation or use of needles: physiotherapists seeking authorization have completed an education program related to the restricted activity that includes as part of the curriculum: theory, practice and final (summative) evalution conducted by the course instructor which resulted in a passing grade.
  • Diagnostic imaging: physiotherapists seeking authorization have completed the University of Alberta's PTHER 410 Diagnostic Imaging in Physical Therapy course along with five years of clinical practice.
  1. Practice standard compliance
  1. Applying for authorization
  1. Maintaining authorization
  • The authorization model will be expanded in the near future to include:
    • Random selection of authorized physiotherapists to verify education/experience.
    • Process and conditions for annual renewal of authorization.

 

Learning an advanced authorized activity

In accordance with the Physical Therapists Profession Regulation, physiotherapists on the general or courtesy register learning an advanced authorized activity may only perform the activity:

  • Under the supervision of another physiotherapist who is authorized.
  • When the supervising physiotherapist is present or on site.
  • When the supervising physiotherapist is able to observe and promptly intervene (i.e., stop or change actions) if required.

 

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