Physical Therapy Board of California
Expert Consultant Practice Monitor Program
What does an Expert Consultant and/or Practice Monitor do?
Expert Consultants and Practice Monitors play a very important role in consumer protection. Expert Consultants provide consultation to Physical Therapy Board (PTBC) staff, and review case materials to provide a written report rendering an impartial opinion of the care provided by the subject licensee. When necessary, Expert Consultants also testify at administrative hearings. Practice Monitors monitor the practice of licensees who has been placed on probation for violating the Physical Therapy Practice Act and report their findings to the PTBC on a regular basis.
If you are interested in providing expert consultant and/or practice monitor services to PTBC and you meet the Subject Matter Expert Criteria and Expectations, please submit a completed Expert Consultant/Practice Monitor Application. Include a cover letter outlining why you would like to participate in the program, and your current curriculum vitae. Mail your documents to PTBC at:
Physical Therapy Board of California
Consumer Protection Services
2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 2600
Sacramento, CA 95815
or contact us to submit your documents electronically.
Expert Consultant/Practice Monitor FAQ
A California licensed physical therapist, who has been actively practicing in the profession for a minimum of five (5) years; whose license is current and in good standing; has no current complaints or disciplinary action pending or taken against their license; is knowledgeable in a particular area of practice and also in the laws, regulations, and community standards of care for the practice of physical therapy in the state of California.
As an Expert Consultant, you will be provided medical records and other information concerning an investigation. This may include reports containing interviews of patients, witnesses, and physical therapy providers, including the licensee who is the subject of the investigation. Based on the case material reviewed, you will be asked to provide a written report of the details of the case, describing the standard of care applicable to the given case, and rendering your impartial opinion of any departures from the standard of care by the subject licensee. If the complaint allegations are substantiated, you may also need to present your findings through testimony at an administrative hearing.
Practice Monitors monitor the practice of a licensee who has been placed on probation for violations of the Physical Therapy Practice Act. As the Practice Monitor, you serve as a subject matter expert to review and evaluate all aspects of the probationer’s practice and report your findings to the PTBC’s Probation Monitor. Practice Monitors are required in lieu of a supervising physical therapist when the probationer holds a vested interest in the physical therapy practice.
No, this is not a permanent position, but you will be required to sign an agreement/contract with the PTBC which outlines specific requirements. This is not a binding contract prohibiting you from terminating your services at any time. You will be contacted on an on-call basis by PTBC staff, as needed.
There may be minimal travel. The PTBC may ask an Expert Consultant to conduct an onsite review of patient records and submit a written report of their findings to the PTBC. The PTBC makes every effort to select an Expert Consultant in the general area of the facility where the alleged violation(s) occurred. However, we may need to ask an Expert Consultant to travel to remote/rural areas. In most cases, you will be conducting patient record review regarding complaints received against physical therapy practitioners in your area.
You will be required to testify in administrative hearings held before an administrative law judge for those cases that progress to a hearing, which may also require minimal travel. In these instances, you will be considered an Expert Witness and prior to the hearing, you will meet with the Deputy Attorney General assigned to prosecute the case to prepare for the hearing.
The Expert Consultant is reimbursed on a case-by-case basis. Upon completion of your report, you will be reimbursed $75.00 per hour for case review and report writing and $100.00 per hour for testimony at a hearing.
Yes, you will be required to complete a one-day training given by PTBC.