STANDARDS, GUIDES, GUIDELINES, REGULATIONS and LEGISLATION

  • Practice standards – minimum practice requirements/expectations the College feels
     necessary to protect Albertans. The standards outline how physical therapy services
     are to be delivered/performed. Standards are mandatory and apply to all Alberta
     physical therapists at all times. In addition to guiding practice, standards help
     patients, the public, physical therapist employers, and others understand the standards
     expected of Alberta physical therapists.

  • Code of ethics – establish ethical conduct requirements/expectations and professional
     practice boundaries. The code is mandatory and exists to guide physical therapist
     conduct and evaluate performance. It also helps patients, the public, physical therapist
     employers and others understand the ethical standards expected from Alberta
     physical therapists. The code is incorporated into Section 13 of the Physical Therapy
     Profession Act's general regulations. A new, stand alone code is under development in
     preparation for physical therapy's transition to Alberta Health Professions Act.

  • Practice guidelines - while not mandatory many directly relate to and support the
     College practice standards. Guidelines are strongly encouraged to promote best
     practice, support prudent, quality practice, and enhance the delivery of physical
     therapy services to patients.

      – Informed consent guideline
      – Leaving/relocating a practice guideline
      – Referring for physician consultation guideline
      – Third-party requests guideline

  • Position statements – are the College’s official stance on physical therapy, health
     and healthcare related issues. These statements are recommendations not
     requirements and are issued in the publics’/patients’ best interest.

      – Animal rehabilitation
      – Conflict of interest
      – Infection control
      – Malpractice insurance
      – Medical legal reports
      – Spinal manipulation
      – Supervision and delegation
      – Universal precautions/routine practices
      – Use of needles

  • Resource guides:

     – Challenging situations
      – Privacy guide
      – Supervision guide
      – Therapeutic relationships: establishing and maintaining professional boundaries
      – Primary health care guide for physical therapists
      – Disability management guide, Appendix and Outcome measures

      – Auto insurance reporting guide
  

  • Legislation:

      – Physical Therapy Profession Act and General Regulations
      – Privacy legislation
          • Freedom of information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP)
          • Health Information Act (HIA)           
          • Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)
          • Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA)
      – Practice related legislation:
          • Workers' Compensation Act
          • Protection for Persons in Care Act
          • Diagnostic and Treatment Protocol Regulations
          • Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act

Other Resources

  • College bylaws
  • Competency profiles:
      – Essential competency profile 2009 (ECP) (688 kb)

      – ECP 2009 - quick reference (357 kb)

      – Dry needling
      – Spinal Manipulation
  • Use of titles  

  • Health Canada warnings

General Publications

  • Annual report     2009  2008   2007   2006
  • Newsletter – College Callings:

      – 2010   Winter   Spring   Summer   Fall
      – 2009   Winter   Spring   Summer   Fall
      – 2008   Winter   Spring   Summer   Fall

  • Member statistics   2008    2007   2006