Ethics, Laws, and Rules for Tennessee Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants, 3rd Ed.

Goals & Objectives:

Course Overview

This comprehensive continuing education course provides Tennessee physical therapy professionals with essential knowledge and updates regarding ethical practices, state laws, and regulatory requirements governing physical therapy practice. The course is designed for both Physical Therapists (PTs) and Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) practicing in Tennessee and fulfills the state's ethics and jurisprudence continuing education requirements. The course will define terms used in discussing ethics, describe general principles and values of ethics and standards of conduct, and explain a decision-making process for analyzing ethical issues and potential disciplinary actions or sanctions that might occur if unethical behavior is determined by professional and/or credentialing organizations. Case studies are included throughout to stimulate reflection and direct application to practice examples. This course includes specific policies from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) outlining standards for ethics and professionalism for physical therapy professionals.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completing this course, the learner should be able to:

• Identify and apply the Tennessee Physical Therapy Practice Act.
• Analyze ethical principles and professional standards outlined in the APTA Code of Ethics and Core Values to make sound ethical decisions in physical therapy practice.
• Demonstrate understanding of documentation requirements, billing practices, and legal obligations related to physical therapy services in Tennessee.
• Understand appropriate ethical decision-making frameworks to resolve common ethical dilemmas in physical therapy practice using case studies and real-world examples.
• Identify and explain disciplinary actions and sanctions that may result from violations of professional standards, including continuing competence non-compliance, supervision violations, and documentation deficiencies.
• Recognize professional responsibilities related to patient rights, cultural competency, and professional boundaries while maintaining high standards of ethical conduct in various practice settings.