Florida Physical Therapy Jurisprudence Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT the responsibility of a physical therapist?

1. To supervise physical therapist assistants

2. To provide direct patient care

3. To sign off on all billing materials

4. To interact directly with the patient during every session

The correct answer is: To sign off on all billing materials

The role of a physical therapist encompasses a variety of responsibilities, and understanding what falls outside these duties is essential for clarity in practice. One of the key responsibilities of a physical therapist is to supervise physical therapist assistants. This includes overseeing their work and ensuring they provide care in accordance with established treatment plans. Additionally, providing direct patient care is a fundamental duty, involving assessing patients, developing treatment plans, and implementing therapeutic interventions. While interacting directly with patients is an essential part of the physical therapist's role, it is not a requirement that they must do so in every single session. Physical therapist assistants may conduct certain sessions, allowing the physical therapist to delegate some responsibilities while still maintaining overall accountability for the patient's care. The obligation to sign off on all billing materials, however, is not typically part of the therapist's direct clinical responsibilities, especially if those materials are accurately prepared by administrative staff or billing specialists. Instead, therapists may review and approve billing in certain circumstances, but they are not responsible for all aspects of billing. Thus, the choice that stands out as not being a primary responsibility of a physical therapist is the requirement to sign off on every billing material. This role is often more aligned with administrative and office staff functions rather than the direct clinical responsibilities of a