Alabama Administrative Code Chapter 746-X-5 — Licensure of Prosthetist Assistant, Licensed Orthotist Assistant, or Licensed Prosthetist/Orthotist Assistant

746 Alabama State Board of Prosthetists and Orthotist

Ala. Admin. Code r. 746-X-5-.01 Purpose

The purpose of this section is to establish the scope of practice and the qualifications for a licensed assistant.

History

• Author: Joseph C. Elliott, Glenn Crumpton
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §34-25A-1-14.
• New Rule: Filed August 8, 2003; effective September 12, 2003.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 746-X-5-.02 Application Required

(1) Application forms for licensure as a prosthetist assistant, orthotist assistant, and prosthetist/orthotist assistant shall be adopted by the board and shall be disseminated to prospective applicants. Application forms for licensure shall require work experience and a professional reference form by the applicant.

(2) The Board directs staff to prepare and create new forms, or modify existing forms, to be used in the application process for licensure, registration and temporary licensure or registration. Application forms shall require applicants to submit all information required by Code of Ala. 1975, §34-25A-1-14.

(3) Application forms may be obtained upon written request from the Board office.

(4) An applicant for licensure by the Board in accordance by Code of Ala. 1975, §34-25A-1-14, shall provide the Board with all information required pursuant to Code of Ala. 1975, §34-25A-1-14 on forms created for that purpose by staff. In addition, an applicant shall provide either original documents or notarized or certified duplicates.

(5) The application and forms shall be submitted to the Board accompanied by fees as set by the Board. Any incomplete or missing information, documentation or fees shall render the application incomplete. No license or registration shall be issued unless all application requirements have been met. Incomplete applications will be considered abandoned after one year. Any applicable fees paid shall not be refunded.

(6) The applicant shall be forthright and open in the provision of information to the Board in the application process. No applicant shall be awarded a license or registration who does not provide the Board with complete, open and honest response to all request for information.

(7) Any Board member, based on any response to any question or request for information on the application form, may request an applicant to provide any additional information that the Board member feels is necessary or useful to determine the applicant’s ability as an orthotist assistant, prosthetist assistant, or an orthotist/prosthetist assistant.

(8) The applicant shall be candid in regard to the provision of information related to any academic misconduct or disciplinary action.

(9) The applicant shall be provided a copy of the Board rules on unprofessional conduct. The applicant shall review such rules and state candidly and honestly whether the applicant has committed any act that would constitute grounds for disciplinary action by the Board under the rules of the Board.

(10) The applicant shall cause to be paid all necessary fees related to the application.

(11) It is the responsibility of the applicant to verify the applicant’s identity and the validity of all documents or information submitted to the Board in the licensure process.

(12) The Board may contact other sources as necessary to verify information provided during the application process. Should information be found through correspondence that was previously unknown to the Board, the application will be held until such time as the Secretary of the Board is satisfied that the information has been validated by the staff.

(13) An applicant may withdraw an application for licensure at any time prior to the submission of the application for consideration by the Board. No application may be withdrawn by an applicant after it has been submitted to the Board.

(14) A foreign applicant shall provide the Board with written proof of the applicant’s ability to work in the United States as authorized by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service.

(15) Definitions may be added or amended by act of the Board as required.

History

• Author: Joseph C. Elliott, Glenn Crumpton
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §34-25A-1-14.
• New Rule: Filed August 8, 2003; effective September 12, 2003.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 746-X-5-.03 Scope Of Practice

(1) A licensed orthotist assistant, prosthetist assistant, or orthotist/prosthetist assistant is a person who assists a licensed orthotist, licensed prosthetist, or licensed orthotist/prosthetist in the practice of orthotics and prosthetics. A licensed orthotist assistant, licensed prosthetist assistant, or a licensed orthotist/prosthetist assistant does not require formal educational training to the extent of a baccalaureate degree, but must possess knowledge of the anatomical, biological and physical sciences involved in the practice of orthotics and prosthetics.

(2) A licensed orthotist assistant, prosthetist assistant, or orthotist/prosthetist assistant must be experienced in, and possess an understanding of, the principles and application of care for persons who have been referred by an authorized health care practitioner with a written prescription for an orthosis or a prosthesis and have been evaluated by a licensed orthotist, a licensed prosthetist or a licensed prosthetist/orthotist.

(3) A licensed orthotist assistant, prosthetist assistant, or orthotist/prosthetist assistant may perform the following tasks after the referred person has been personally evaluated by licensed orthotist, a licensed prosthetist or licensed orthotist/prosthetist and a plan of care is noted in the individual medical record of the referred person by that evaluating licensee:

(a) Measure and or cast the person for the orthosis or prosthesis described in the plan of care by the licensed orthotist, licensed prosthetist or licensed prosthetist/ orthotist,

(b) Prepare the positive model for fabrication by rectifying the positive model resulting from the cast or measurement,

(c) Fabricate the orthosis or prosthesis described in the plan of care for the person,

(d) Perform initial fitting and test fittings as required of the orthosis or prosthesis described in the plan of care and insure the dynamic alignment of the orthosis or prosthesis is appropriate for the person for whom the orthosis or prosthesis has been prescribed,

(e) Counsel and instruct the person for whom the orthosis or prosthesis was prescribed and fabricated as to the proper use and care of the orthosis or prosthesis,

(f) Insure the orthosis or prosthesis is finished in such a manner that is appropriate for final check and delivery by a licensed orthotist, licensed prosthetist or licensed prosthetist/orthotist who shall personally fit and deliver the orthosis or prosthesis to the person for whom the orthosis or prosthesis was prescribed,

(g) Make notations in the medical record of the person for whom the orthosis or prosthesis was prescribed to record of the person for whom the orthosis or prosthesis was prescribed to record the progress of actions taken by the licensed orthotist assistant, licensed prosthetist assistant or licensed prosthetist/orthotist assistant during the execution of the plan of care that was initiated by the evaluation performed by a licensed orthotist, licensed prosthetist, or licensed prosthetist/orthotist at the time of the initial contact with the person for whom the orthosis or prosthesis was prescribed,

(4) A licensed orthotist assistant, licensed prosthetist assistant, or licensed prosthetist/orthotist assistant may not perform or provide orthotic or prosthetic care unless under the supervision and by the direction of a licensed orthotist, prosthetist, or licensed orthotist/prosthetist and only as to the plan of care developed and written following personal evaluation and by the licensed orthotist, licensed prosthetist, or licensed prosthetist/orthotist.

History

• Author: Joseph C. Elliott, Glenn Crumpton
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §34-25A-1-14.
• New Rule: Filed August 8, 2003; effective September 12, 2003.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 746-X-5-.04 Requirements For Licensure As An Assistant

(1) Effective January 1, 2011 no person shall act as an orthotic assistant, prosthetic assistant or orthotic/ prosthetic assistant unless licensed to do so. In order to be issued any such license an applicant shall meet the following requirements: (NOTE: These requirements shall not apply to any individual who currently holds any of the above described assistant licenses as of the effective date of this rule.

(a) Applicant must have a high school diploma or GED.

(b) Applicant must have: completed a 12 month orthotist assistant, a 12 month prosthetist assistant, or a 24 month orthotist/prosthetist assistant residency program under the direct supervision of a certified/licensed orthotist, certified/licensed prosthetist, or a certified/licensed prosthetist/orthotist in an accredited facility.

(c) Applicant shall complete a orthotic-prosthetic assistant education program or such other education program as may be approved by the Board.

History

• Author: Joseph C. Elliott, Glenn Crumpton
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §34-25A-1-14.
• New Rule: Filed August 8, 2003; effective September 12, 2003. Repealed and New: Filed September 1, 2010; effective October 6, 2010. Amended: Filed February 24, 2016; effective April 9, 2016.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 746-X-5-.05 Continuing Professional Education Required

(1)(a) As a condition of licensure renewal, an assistant must obtain every year a minimum of one hour of continuing education in board approved courses on orthotic assistant, prosthetic assistant, or orthotic/prosthetic assistant regulation and compliance with the Alabama prosthetic and orthotic act and board rules.

(b) As a condition of license renewal for those who are currently licensed and actively practicing in this state, a prosthetic assistant, orthotic assistant, or orthotic/prosthetic assistant must obtain every year a minimum of one hour of continuing education board approved courses on prosthetic and/or orthotic assistant ethics.

(2)(a) A minimum of six hours of continuing education for a prosthetic assistant, orthotic assistant, or prosthetic/orthotic assistant, as approved by the Alabama State Board of Prosthetists and Orthotists is required annually for license renewal.

(b) No more than on third (1/3) of the required hours may be completed in a distance based continuing education format which complies with the provisions of this rule.

History

• Author: Glenn Crumpton
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §34-25A-1-14.
• New Rule: Filed March 17, 2010; effective April 21, 2010. Amended: Filed March 19, 2014; effective April 23, 2014.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 746-X-5-A Appendix - Forms (Repealed 9/8/11)

Appendix

FormS

(Repealed 9/8/11)

History

• Author: Joseph C. Elliott, Glenn Crumpton
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §34-25A-1-14.
• New Rule: Filed August 8, 2003; effective September 12, 2003. Repealed: Filed August 4, 2011; effective September 8, 2011.