Colorado Revised Statutes Title 12. Professions and Occupations § 12-285-116. Special practice authorities and requirements--definition--rules

(1)Supervising persons not licensed as a physical therapist. A physical therapist may supervise up to four individuals at one time who are not physical therapists, including certified nurse aides, to assist in the therapist's clinical practice; except that this limit does not include student physical therapists and student physical therapist assistants supervised by a physical therapist for educational purposes. The board shall promulgate rules governing the required supervision. This subsection (1) does not affect or limit the independent practice or judgment of other professions regulated under this title 12. For purposes of this subsection (1), a “physical therapist assistant” means a person certified under part 2 of this article 285.

(2)Administration of medications. Physical therapists or physical therapist assistants under the direct supervision of a physical therapist may administer topical and aerosol medications when they are consistent with the scope of physical therapy practice and when any such medication is prescribed by a licensed health-care practitioner who is authorized to prescribe that medication. A prescription or order shall be required for each such administration.

(3)Wound debridement. A physical therapist is authorized to perform wound debridement under a physician's order, the order of a physician assistant authorized under section 12-240-107(6), or the order of an advanced practice registered nurse authorized under section 12-255-111 when debridement is consistent with the scope of physical therapy practice. The performance of wound debridement does not violate the prohibition against performing surgery pursuant to section 12-285-108(1)(a).