Montana § 37-24-105 - Use Of Superficial Physical Agent Modalities

§ 37-24-105. Use Of Superficial Physical Agent Modalities

Use of superficial physical agent modalities. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), a person may not use occupational therapy techniques involving superficial physical agent modalities unless the person: (a) is a licensed occupational therapist under this chapter; (b) limits application of superficial agent modalities to the shoulder, arm, elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand; and (c) has successfully completed 16 hours of instruction or training in superficial physical agent modalities and documents competency, as approved by the board, in the following areas: (i) principles of physics related to specific properties of light, water, temperature, sound, or electricity, as indicated by selected modalities; (ii) physiological, neurophysiological, and electrophysiological changes that occur as a result of the application of selected modalities; (iii) the response of normal and abnormal tissue to the application of selected modalities; (iv) indications and contraindications related to the selection and application of the modality; (v) guidelines for the treatment or administration of the modality within the philosophical framework of occupational therapy; (vi) guidelines for educating the patient, including information about risks and benefits of the occupational therapy techniques; (vii) safety rules and precautions related to the selected modalities; (viii) methods for documenting the effectiveness and immediate and long-term effects of treatment in relation to task-oriented activities; and (ix) characteristics of and guidelines for the use of therapy equipment, including safe operation, adjustment, and care and maintenance of the equipment. (2) A certified occupational therapy assistant who works under the direct supervision of a qualified occupational therapist may apply superficial physical agent modalities to the shoulder, arm, elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand.