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The Minnesota Board of Physical Therapy recognizes that Minnesota law requires student physical therapists who are in a professional educational program and satisfying supervised clinical education requirements to practice under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist. "Direct supervision" is statutorily defined as the supervising physical therapist being physically present and immediately available, and telecommunications do not satisfy this requirement. The supervising physical therapist must determine the appropriate level of supervision within that standard based on the patient care provided, the clinical education circumstances, and the professional responsibilities associated with supervising student practice.
Licensed physical therapists are individually responsible for understanding and complying with the law and exercising appropriate professional judgment regarding student supervision. This responsibility cannot be delegated to a university, employer, clinical education program, or facility policy. Physical therapists must ensure their supervision practices are consistent with applicable law, professional standards, patient safety requirements, and the needs of the individual patient and student. Licensed physical therapists are expected to recognize the limits of their authority and competence, exercise independent professional judgment, and take reasonable steps to protect patients when safety or compliance concerns arise including the duty to report when required by Minnesota law or Board Rule 5601.3200, subpart 3(A).
Appropriate supervision may vary across practice settings. Factors such as the number of students assigned to a clinical instructor, the student's level of education and demonstrated competence, patient complexity and acuity, the interventions being performed, and the clinical environment may influence the level of supervision that is professionally appropriate.
The Board encourages physical therapists, clinical education programs, employers, and students to establish clear expectations regarding supervision, communication, escalation, documentation, and patient safety that meet statutory requirements while allowing physical therapists to implement more restrictive supervision standards when warranted by the circumstances.
Ultimately, compliance with the law is an individual professional responsibility. The Minnesota Board of Physical Therapy expects each licensed physical therapist to understand the requirements applicable to their practice setting, exercise sound professional judgment, and ensure that student supervision complies with Minnesota law while protecting the safety and welfare of patients.
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