Physical Therapy Assistant - Adult Acute Therapies

SUMMARY:

Under direction of physical therapist, delivers prescribed physical therapy treatments and education to patients to restore function, minimize impact of prolonged acute care admission, and promote improved independence with functional mobility to maximize patient outcomes. Records and reports on patient progress. Communicates with physical therapist and interdisciplinary team.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Administers physical therapy care, or portions of programs, as directed by a licensed physical therapist.

Recognizes and recommends changes for improvement in program content.

Assists therapist during patient testing, evaluations and complex procedures.

Monitors patient condition levels; reports changes to appropriate individuals.

Documents patient care efficiently, timely and effectively in the electronic medical record.

Provides instruction in therapeutic procedures to be continued by patient and/or family/caregiver.

Conducts or participates in training medical and other personnel in therapy techniques and objectives.

Attends patient care staffing, conferences and other related meetings; coordinates with other service areas to ensure proper patient care.

Demonstrates sensitivity to patient comfort and privacy.

Adheres to TMCH organizational and department-specific safety, confidentiality, values, policies and standards.

Performs related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION:  Associate’s degree or equivalent from a two-year college, or technical school required.

EXPERIENCE: Acute Therapy: None required.  Will consider exceptional new graduate candidates.

LICENSURE OR CERTIFICATION: Certification as a PT Assistant required.  Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the types of physical therapy programs used to assist in the restoration of function in a patient, or prevent a disability.

• Skill in the ability to demonstrate, or lead a patient in the performance of a therapy regimen.

• Skill in following directions and reporting back any issues, or concerns the patient may be encountering.

• < >bility to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.< >bility to complete routine reports and correspondence.< >bility to listen and accurately interpret others’ communication, or instruction to take appropriate actions.< >bility to speak effectively before groups of customers, employees, or organizations.

  Ability to add and subtract 2-digit numbers; ability to read a clock and accurately document time.

• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed, but uninvolved electronic or oral instructions.

• Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in a standardized situation.