Table 2.

Competencies for Telehealth Certified Technicians

Articulates the unique challenges of conducting a telehealth visit in the elderly population at risk for falls Demonstrates proper guarding techniques to reduce risk for injury to staff and patient during transfers, balance, and gait testing Obtains orthostatic blood pressures accurately Tests for proprioception at the great toe accurately Screens for muscle strength in lower extremities accurately (quadriceps, hip abductors, hip flexors, ankle dorsiflexors, plantar flexors) Screens for dynamic visual acuity accurately Assists the physical therapist with Berg Balance Scale, Dynamic Gait Index, timed Up and Go, Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance (CTSIB), and postural reflexes Demonstrates ability to ambulate a patient with standard cane, rollator walker, and rolling walker Demonstrates the ability to safely guide/guard patients through the following exercises as deemed appropriate by the physical therapist: establishing the “safety zone” for home programs, maintaining balance with a reduced base of support, compliant surface training, functional strengthening exercise for lower extremities, gait activities, and vestibular adaptation exercises