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N.B. Physiotherapy Regulations

REGULATIONS

 

PHYSIOTHERAPY ACT 1985, c 74

 

 

Under section 31 of the Physiotherapy Act 1985, the Lieutenant Governor in Council confirms regulations made by the membership of the College[1] as attached hereto.

 

REGULATION

 

Under section 32 of

The Physiotherapy Act. 1985

 

The Board of the New Brunswick College of Physiotherapists with the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council makes the following Regulations:

 

 

DEFINITIONS

1. In this Regulation:

 

“Act” means “the Physiotherapy Act,” 1985 c.74;

 

“Associate Members” means members whose names are entered upon the roster established pursuant to Section 19(d).

 

“College” means the New Brunswick College of Physiotherapists;

 

“Board” means the Board of New Brunswick College of Physiotherapists; ”Conditional Members” means members whose names are entered upon the roster established pursuant to Section 19(c);

 

“Intern” means any person, including a member who is completing any clinical training pre-requisite for registration or for entry of her/his name upon any roster or for any purpose of certification by the Board, including, without limiting the generality thereof: student, re-entry candidates, and members seeking acupuncture certification;

 

“Member” is a physiotherapists whose name is entered in the Register; ”Qualification Period” means the time period as defined in Section 23;

 

“Register” means the register established under the Act;

 

“Registrar-Treasurer” means Registrar-Treasurer of the College;

 

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTRATION

 

2. The requirements and qualifications necessary for a candidate trained in Canada to be registered as a Member for the practice of Physiotherapy, shall be:

 

(a) documentary proof of graduation from an approved School of Physiotherapy;

 

(b) proof of satisfaction of the clinical training requirement specified by the School of Physiotherapy at Dalhousie University for its graduates or the equivalent as approved by the Board;

 

(c) completion of the application form, as approved by the Board;

 

(d) proof that there are no outstanding disciplinary matters or restrictions on the candidate practicing in any jurisdiction where the candidate has been authorized to practice physiotherapy;

 

(e) payment of the fees as set out by by-law, and

 

(f) if the candidate is a re-entry candidate, proof of satisfaction of all re-entry requirements imposed by the Board.

 

 

 

3. The requirements and qualifications necessary for a candidate trained outside of Canada , to be registered as a Member for the practice of physiotherapy, shall be:

 

(a) documentary evidence of graduation in physiotherapy from an educational institution outside of Canada, which is approved by the Board and which has a curriculum substantially similar to that of an approved School of Physiotherapy, by provision of a notarized university degree or equivalent;

 

(b) subject to section 4,1, proof of successful completion, after no more than two attempts of the Physiotherapy National Examination or other admission examination or process;

 

(c) completion of the application form, as approved by the Board;

 

(d) proof that there are no outstanding disciplinary matters or restrictions on the candidate practicing in any jurisdiction where the candidate has been authorized to practice physiotherapy;

 

(e) payment of the fees as set out by by-law; and

 

(f) if the candidate is a re-entry candidate, proof of satisfaction of all re-entry requirements imposed by the Board.

 

4. Any person whose registration as a member continues by virtue of s.7 (4) of the Act shall not be subject to the registration requirements provided for herein unless such registration is allowed to lapse.

 

4.1(1) Members of the College registered on or before March 1, 1995 and in good standing on that date are exempted from the application of subsection 3(b) of the Regulation.

 

4.1(2) The exemption provided for in subsection (1) applies to persons eligible for registration with the College on March 1, 1995 .

 

5. The requirements and qualifications necessary for members or persons eligible to be members of the College prior to September 30, 1982 to be registered as a Member for the practice of physiotherapy shall be:

 

(a) documentary evidence of graduation from a Canadian School of Physiotherapy by provision of a notarized university degree or equivalent or proof of eligibility in the Canadian Physiotherapy College ;

 

(b) completion of the application form, as approved by the Board;

 

(c) payment of the fees as set out by by-law;

 

(d) if the candidate is a re-entry candidate, proof of satisfaction of the necessary re-entry requirements; and

 

(e) proof that there are no outstanding disciplinary matters or restrictions on the candidate practicing in any jurisdiction where the candidate has been authorized to practice physiotherapy.

 

6. The requirements and qualifications necessary for a candidate to be registered as a Temporary Member in the College for the practice of physiotherapy shall be:

 

(a) documentary evidence of eligibility for membership in the College as provided in the Act and as prescribed in this regulation;

 

(b) completion of the application form as approved by the Board; and

 

(c) payment of fees as set out by by-law.

 

7. The application to the Registrar-Treasurer of a person for registration as a student intern shall contain or be accompanied by the following information and documents.

 

(a) proof, satisfactory to the Registrar-Treasurer, of the applicant’s enrollment at an approved School of Physiotherapy;

 

(b) a detailed schedule of the internship requirements of the approved School of Physiotherapy; and

 

(c) the name of the supervising member with confirmation of acceptance of such supervision by that member.

 

8. Any application for registration made under the Act and Regulations shall be deemed not to have been made until all the prescribed materials are provided to the Board.

9. Any acceptance or rejection of any application shall be forwarded to the applicant by way of written notification within 10 days of the date of formal acceptance or refusal by the Board or by the Registrar-Treasurer as the case may be.

 

REGISTRATION RENEWAL

 

10. The registration of every member of the College shall expire on the 31st day of December in each year for which the member has paid hi/her annual fee.

 

11. Notice to members of the Annual Renewal procedures shall be forwarded no later than November 30 in each year to each member’s last listed address as provided by the member to the Registrar-Treasurer.

 

12. A Member’s registration shall be renewed upon receipt by the Registrar-Treasurer of:

 

(a) the annual fee, as approved;

 

(b) the properly completed renewal application approved by the Board;

 

(c) proof of satisfaction of the re-entry requirement, if applicable; and

 

(d) confirmation that no practice limitations have been placed on the member through any disciplinary action.

 

13. Any member who has failed to comply with the annual registration renewal provision shall cease to be a member on the 30th day following the expiry date, unless in the meantime all requirements are rectified and the late registration fee is paid.

 

14. Confirmation of Registration Renewal and Certification shall be forwarded to the member within 30 days of the expiry date provided all renewal requirements have been satisfied by the member.

 

 

REGISTER

 

15. The Registrar-Treasurer shall maintain a register upon which the names and locality of all members in good standing shall be entered, together with any limitation on practice which may apply to each.

 

16. The Registrar-Treasurer shall cause the name of a member to be removed from a Register;

 

(a) upon the written request of the member for reasons acceptable to the Board;

 

(b) where the names has been incorrectly entered;

 

(c) where confirmation of death of the member has been received;

 

(d) where registration has been revoked;

 

(e) where the Board decides that a member holding a conditional registration had failed to comply with the conditions; or

 

(f) where the member has failed to comply with the registration renewal procedures.

 

17. Written notification of the removal of a member’s name from the Register shall be forwarded by registered mail to the member’s last known address and to the last known address of the registered member’s employer within 10 days of removal.

 

18. The record of a member’s name and locality as it appears on the Register shall be available upon written request to either the Registrar-Treasurer or the Minister of Health and Community Services.

 

 

ROSTERS

 

19. In addition to the Register, the Registrar-Treasurer shall maintain rosters of the following classes of persons and corporations each with a registration number and which shall be updated within 30 days of notified changes;

 

(a) an Active Physiotherapy Roster of members who have me the requirements for registration and are registered under the Act containing:

 

(1) the name and address of each such member;

 

(2) the name and address of the employer of each member, if known; and

 

(3) the number of hours practiced in the past calendar year.

 

(b) an Inactive Physiotherapy Roster of members registered under the Act who are not engaged in the active practice of physiotherapy, containing:

 

(1) the name and address of each such member; and

 

(2) the number of years not engaged in active practice of physiotherapy, and the last year registered under the Act.

 

(c) a Conditional Physiotherapy Roster of members who have met the requirements for registration under the Act but who have terms, conditions or limitations imposed on their registration or practice by the Board pursuant to the provisions of the Act which shall contain:

 

(1) the name and address of each such member;

 

(2) the name and address of the employer of each such member; and

 

(3) the terms, conditions or limitations imposed.

 

(d) and Associate Physiotherapy Roster of members consisting of:

 

(1) physiotherapy interns, containing;

 

A. the name and address of each such member;

 

B. the Approved School of Physiotherapy, or institution of training outside of Canada ;

 

C. the place of internship;

 

D.  the clinical supervisor;

 

E. the dates of internship placement ; and

 

F. the date of internship completion.

 

(2.) persons entitled to practice physiotherapy in the Province under temporary registration, containing:

 

A. the name and address of each such person;

 

B. the province of registration of each such person;

 

C. the name and address of the present employer;

 

D. the name and address of the employer in New Brunswick ; and

 

E. the time period of temporary registration.

 

(3) persons who are re-entry candidates, containing:

 

A. the name and address of each such member; and

              

B. the details of the required re-entry procedure.

 

(e) A Previous Members Roster of persons having been members of the College (excluding persons having been rededial gymnast members), which shall contain:

 

(1) each previous member’s last year of active practice, including the name and address of last employer; and

 

(2) the last year of registration as a member of the College.

 

(f) an Acupuncture Roster of members who have met the requirements for the practice of Acupuncture under the Act containing:

 

(1) the name and address of each such member;

 

(2) the name and address of the present employer of each member; and

 

(3) the date and level of training completed with the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada or the equivalent thereof approved by the Board.

 

(g) a Roster of members with provisional certification to practice acupuncture under the Act containing:

 

(1) the name and address of each such member;

 

(2) the name and address of the present employer of each member; and

 

(3) the date and level of training completed with the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada or the equivalent thereof approved by the Board.

 

20. All members shall forthwith notify the Registrar-Treasurer in writing of any changes in registration status, locality or employer and shall comply with all registration and renewal requirements.

 

 

REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE AND PERMITS

 

21. (a) Each member of the College whose name appears on the register shall be issued each year a certificate on which shall appear;

 

(1) the name and address of the member;

 

(2) the expiry date;

 

(3) the type of membership; and

 

(4) the registration member of the member.

 

(b) Each corporation in good standing whose name appears in the Corporation Register shall be issued each year a certificate upon which shall appear:

 

(1) the name, address and incorporation number of the corporation;

 

(2) the expiry date; and

 

(3) the registration number of the corporation.

 

 

ACUPUNCTURE

 

22. (1) No member shall be certified as qualified to provide Acupuncture services unless the member proves to the satisfaction of the Board that:

 

(a) the member has successfully completed the recommended post-graduate courses and has successfully passed the practical and written examinations offered by the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada or the equivalent thereof as approved by the Board.

 

(b) Physiotherapists who practice Acupuncture are expected to exercise professional judgment in accordance with NBAP Code of Ethics.

 

(c) Physiotherapists practicing Acupuncture must ensure that they do not exceed the practice of Physiotherapy when using Acupuncture as a physical therapy modality.

 

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a member who has completed a section of the post-graduate training Acupuncture referred to in paragraph (1)(a) thereof may be provisionally certified to provide Acupuncture services as an intern.

 

ACTIVE PRACTICE AND RE-ENTRY

 

23. A member is engaged in active practice if during the qualification period the member has actually practiced a minimum of 1200 hours. The Qualification period shall be the immediately preceding 5 years.

 

24. A re-entry candidate shall be required to successfully complete, after no more than two attempts, the Physiotherapy National Examination or other admission processes approved by the Board.

 

 

TITLE / DESIGNATION

 

25. No person other than a Physiotherapists registered under the Act shall advertise or use any title to signify or imply that he/she is qualified to practice physiotherapy within the meaning of the Act or Regulations.

 

26. No member of the College shall advertise or use any title or add any prefix or suffix to her/his name to signify or imply that he/she is qualified to practice physiotherapy other than he/she is trained and certified to do.

 

 

OWNERSHIP

 

27. No member shall practice physiotherapy in the employ or as a partner of any other person or as an officer, director, shareholder or employee of any corporation which person, partnership or corporation offers, by itself or on behalf of the member, physiotherapy services to the general public unless such other person is a member of the College or such corporation is registered under the Act or is a public hospital or any health or educational facility operated by the Government of New Brunswick or Canada, or a non-profit or charitable institution.

 

 

CODE OF ETHICS

 

28. Each member shall adhere to the Code of Ethics of the College the standard of which are as follows:

 

Each member shall recognize and discharge her/his professional responsibilities to the patient, the profession, other members of the health care team and the community.

 

Each member shall exercise competent professional judgment and strive to improve her/his knowledge and professional skills in order to maintain the optimum standards of practice.

 

 

I PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT

 

A member shall exercise professional judgment at all times and in all areas of professional practice.

 

(a) Each member shall confine himself/herself to practice only in those areas of physiotherapy in which he/she is sufficiently trained and skilled, and

 

(b) Each member shall only initiate treatment on the basis of adequate information which must include:

 

(i) the history of the complaint to be treated;

 

(ii) the physiotherapy assessment, including performance of appropriate tests and procedures; and

 

(iii) such other information necessary in the circumstance, which may include pertinent diagnostic tests, other health care team consultation and socioeconomic factors.

 

(c) Each member shall ensure that a third party or other outside influence on her/his professional judgment through motive of profit or other gain.

 

(d) Each member shall request consultation with or render her/his patient to colleagues or other members of the health care team when necessary to ensure optimum patient care.

 

(e) Each member shall not initiate or continue treatment when, in her/his judgment, no benefit to the patient can reasonably be expected and must inform both patient and other appropriate health care team members of her/his opinion.

 

(f) Each member shall inform the patient as necessary prior and during treatment so as to allow patient understanding and evaluation of the treatment.

 

(g) Each member shall ensure that no services that requires the skill, knowledge and judgment of a physiotherapists is delegated to a less qualified person.

 

(h) Each member shall ensure that those under her/his supervision or in his employ are knowledgeable and capable in the performance of their duties.

 

 

II PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

 

A member shall maintain an optimum standard of conduct and practice.

 

(a) Each member shall maintain records on all patients which meet legal and treatment requirements. This shall included history, assessment, treatment plan and procedures, progress notes and discharge summary.

 

(b) Each member shall maintain communication with the patient’s physician and other appropriate health care team members during the course of the patient’s treatment.

 

(c) Each member shall respect all patient information as confidential and shall nor release this information to any other person without the consent of the patient unless required to do so by law.

 

(d) Relevant information regarding a patient may be communicated to another member of the health care team who is also involved in the patient’s treatment.

 

(e) Each member shall ensure that any advertising to the public be informative and non-competitive and in no manner misleading.

 

(f) Each member shall refrain from making fraudulent or misleading statements concerning her/his own or the professional’s skills, knowledge or capabilities.

 

(g) Each member shall safeguard her/his professional independence and shall not allow any compromise of her/his professional integrity.

 

(h) Each member shall only enter into a partnership or a corporation, offering physiotherapy services to the public, with other properly qualified physiotherapists.

 

(i) Each member shall only charge fees for services which are reasonable and commensurate with services rendered.

 

(j) Each member shall inform her/his patient of the approximate costs of his services and terms payment prior to commencement of treatment.

 

(k) Each member shall follow ethical business principles and practices.

 

(l) Each member shall have the right to contribute articles or participate in programs of interest to the public through the media providing that such articles and programs as of an informative nature.

 

(m) Each member shall use an acceptable scientific method when conducting research and shall follow an acceptable code for research on animals and human subjects.

 

(n) Each member shall practice under conditions to assure quality of her/his treatment and safety of the patient and himself/herself.

 

 

III PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

 

A member shall recognize her/his professional and College responsibilities.

 

(a) Each member shall participate in the decision-making process of the College and support College policies and activities.

 

(b) Each member shall strive to improve himself/herself by constantly renewing her/his theoretical and clinical knowledge and skills as they relate to modern concepts of practice.

 

(c) Each member shall contribute to the development of her/his professional through the exchange of knowledge with colleagues and students, and through participation in courses, scientific conventions and continuing education programs.

 

(d) Each member shall contribute to the education of the public in her/his area of expertise.

 

 

ADVERTISING

 

29. No member shall publish or cause to be published in any newspaper, telephone directory, periodical, circular or by any other medium, any notice or advertisement containing other than her/his name address, telephone n[2]umber, office hours, professional titles, and type of services rendered without first submitting the proposed notice of advertisement to the Board, which may grant or refuse permission to publish any such notice or advertisement.

 

30. Any member using or causing to be used advertising matter which contains misstatements, falsehoods, misrepresentation, distorted or fabulous statements as to cures by and method of treatment, qualifications or attainments, shall be guilty of misconduct.

 

 

PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE COMMITTEE

 

31. The Professional Competence Committee shall be appointed by the Board and shall be responsible to the Board.

 

32. The Committee shall consist of four members, none of whom may be a member of the Board.

 

33. In addition to its responsibilities and powers contained in the Act the Committee shall have the power:

 

(a) to determine when requested by the Board, the sufficiency of credential submitted to the Board with any application for registration;

 

(b) to establish, with the approval of the Board, such educational guidelines and examinations it considers necessary to ensure and assess the competence of members and eligibility for membership in the College;

 

(c) to require the Board to cause an inquiry into the competence of a member to practice when it has reasonable grounds to believe that the competence of a member is in question; and

 

(d) to inquire and make recommendations to the Board as to applications for registration by Former members of any other College similar to the College in any other jurisdiction in Canada, considering re-entry qualification for membership.

 

34.(1) Subject to subsection (2) each member and applicant for membership in the College must obtain, maintain and file with the Registrar proof of professional liability insurance for errors, omissions and malpractice in an amount not less than $1,000,000.00.

 

34.(2) The insurance requirement of subsection (1) shall not apply to members of the College in the employ of any of the following institutions:

 

(1) a hospital as defined under the Public Hospital’s Act:

 

(2) any Department of Crown Agency of the Federal Government of Canada: or

 

(3) The Worker’s Compensation Board.

 

 

 

 

 

Schedule “A”

 

The following are Approved Schools of Physiotherapy:

 

(a) University of British Columbia

 

(b) University of Alberta

 

(c) University of Saskatchewan

 

(d) University of Manitoba

 

(e) University of Western Ontario

 

(f) Queen’s University

 

(g) University of Toronto

 

(h) McMaster University

 

(i) McGill University

 

(j) Université Laval

 

(k) Université de Montréal

 

(l) Dalhousie University

 

(m) University of Ottawa

 

 



[1] Name change from “Association” to College, Bill 40, 2/26/98.

 

 

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