Practice Standards
In Nova Scotia we have adopted some National Practice Standards in addition to the standards that are specific to our province. We have adapted the Core national standards (only to reflect our own resources and references) and they can be found under NSCP Standards individually as revised.
- National Practice Standards
Introduction
Standards of practice are one component of a continuum of documents including code of ethics, position statements, practice guidelines, Essential Competencies, and Practice Milestones which direct the practice of professionals to provide superb care
1. Advertising
The physiotherapist advertises in a manner that is truthful, accurate, verifiable, not misleading to the public, and in compliance with regulatory requirements.
2. Client Assessment, Diagnosis, Interventions
The physiotherapist demonstrates proficiency in client assessment, diagnosis, and interventions to deliver high quality client-centred services.
3. Client-Centred Care
The physiotherapist integrates a clientcentred
approach in all aspects of physiotherapy
service delivery.
4. Collaborative Practice
The physiotherapist promotes
collaborative practice with clients, health care
team members, and other stakeholders to
support the delivery of integrated, high quality,
client-centred care.
5. Communication
The physiotherapist communicates
clearly, effectively, professionally, and in a
timely manner to support and promote high
quality services.
6. Competence
The physiotherapist practices within
her/his level of competence and actively pursues
continuous lifelong learning to maintain
competence in existing and emerging areas of
her/his practice.
7. Conflict of Interest
The physiotherapist must identify and
avoid, or manage any real, potential, or
perceived conflicts of interest.
8. Consent
The physiotherapist obtains clients’ ongoing
informed consent for the delivery of
physiotherapy services.
9. Documentation and Record Keeping
The physiotherapist maintains documents
/records that are accurate, legible and
complete; written in a timely manner; and in
compliance with applicable legislation and
regulatory requirements.
10. Evidence-Informed Practice
The physiotherapist incorporates evidenceinformed
practice in all aspects of physiotherapy
service delivery.
11. Fees and Billing
The physiotherapist is responsible for ensuring
that the fees charged for physiotherapy services
are transparent and justifiable to enable clients
to make informed choices.
12. Infection Control
The physiotherapist complies with
infection prevention and control measures to
support the health and safety of clients, health
care providers, her/himself, and others.
13. Legislative Responsibilities
The physiotherapist practices in
compliance with all the legislative and
regulatory requirements of their jurisdiction.
14. Privacy/Confidentiality
The physiotherapist respects clients’
rights to privacy and confidentiality of personal
information including health, financial, and
other information by practicing in compliance
with applicable legislation and regulatory
requirements.
15. Professional Boundaries
The physiotherapist acts with
professional integrity and maintains
appropriate professional boundaries with
clients, colleagues, students, and others.
16. Quality Improvement
The physiotherapist engages in quality
improvement activities to promote quality
physiotherapy services.
17. Risk Management
The physiotherapist participates in risk
management activities to promote quality
physiotherapy services.
18. Safety
The physiotherapist promotes and
maintains a safe environment for clients, health
care providers, her/himself, and others to
support quality services.
19. Supervision
The physiotherapist is responsible and
accountable for the physiotherapy services
provided by personnel working under her/his
supervision (supervisees).
20. Use of Title
The physiotherapist uses her/his title,
credentials, and other designations to clearly
identify her/himself to clients, other health
providers, and the public.
21. Telerehabilitation
Physiotherapists integrate telerehabilitation into their physiotherapy practice, when indi-cated and appropriate, to address client care needs considering contextual factors, re-specting all ethical and professional expectations, and legal requirements regarding the provision of physiotherapy services.
Glossary of Terms
Read more for definitions of key terms in the Standards of Practice
Download All Core National Standards
- Nova Scotia Practice Standards
Standard of Practice for Addressing Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Abuse – 2024
Use of Needles Standard - 2023
Use of Needles Standard - 2023
This standard applies to acupuncture, dry needling/intra-muscular stimulation, and other similar or related modalities.
Supervision and Task Assignment Standard - 2019
Supervision and Task Assignment Standard - 2019
The standard for supervising and assigning tasks
Spinal Manipulation Standard - 2018
Informed Consent Standard - 2014
Phonophoresis/Iontophoresis Standard - 2012
Phonophoresis/Iontophoresis Standard - 2012
Practice standard for the use of phonophoresis and iontophoresis
Referrals and Financial Benefits Standard - 2012
Referrals and Financial Benefits Standard - 2012
Practice Standard regarding potential conflicts of interest related to financial benefits.
