Physical Therapy Assistant

Description

Job Duties (include, but are not limited to the following):

1. Under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist, assists in ongoing evaluation of the patient referred to physical therapy by the physician. Reviews test information for patients in the following areas: specific muscles strength, joint range of motion, sensation, fine and gross motor coordination, general strength and endurance, gait deviations, activities of daily living, and equipment needs. 
2. Implements rehabilitative treatment programs for patients according to the physician’s orders and the plan of treatment established by the physical therapist, consults with the licensed physical therapist and the physicians to provide feedback and report progress.
3. Coordinates treatment plans with the supervising physical therapist and other agency and contract facility team members including physician, occupational therapist, speech therapist, nursing staff, and social worker. Participates in staff meetings and case reviews as necessary. 
4. In consultation with the licensed physical therapist, re-evaluates the treatment program and as indicated by the individual’s progress and the physician’s orders, modifies and changes treatment in accordance with new information.
5. Explains and instructs the family in the individual’s treatment goals and program to insure carry-over in living arrangement and/or home setting; makes recommendations to the licensed physical therapist regarding adaptive equipment.  
6. Maintains verbal and/or written communications among other personnel involved in the care of the patient; maintains clinical records on all patients referred to physical therapy and in consultation with the licensed physical therapist.
7. Performs and submits required documentation of patient’s clinical notes, progress reports, summaries and case conferences along with changes in orders. All patient visit notes must be turned in the next scheduled work day, not to exceed forty-eight (48) hours.
8. Advances professional growth; participates in training sessions at least 2 times annually; attends short courses, and studies professional journals and texts.  
9. Administers non-complex active and passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, traction, heat, light, cold, water and electrical modalities to patients with relatively stable conditions.   
10. Complies with Homecare Agency Compliance Plan.
11. Complies with Homecare Agency’s Infection Control Policies.
12. Complies with Homecare Agency’s HIPAA Policies.

Working Environment:

Field experience may expose employee to temperature extremes, physical injury by patient, family, animal or other in the community, unsafe environment or exposure to infectious diseases and offensive odors.

1. Equipment and Supplies: Prudent and efficient use of routine office supplies and equipment. Prudent and efficient use of routine medical supplies, sphygmomanometer and stethoscope, and equipment. All the preceding items should be protected from theft and weather at all times.
2. Knowledge and Competency: Must demonstrate basic knowledge of all procedures included in the Physical Therapy description. Must have the ability to follow instructions from the physician, Nursing Supervisor and other professional staff. Ability to communicate effectively with managers, patients, families and co-workers. Must have effective means of transportation, which will enable employee to make visits to patients’ homes if needed. Must be able to assess safety of home situations for self, patients, and other staff members, including physical and psychological dangers. Must have the ability to effectively cope with patients, families and all others with varying backgrounds, socioeconomic conditions, and value judgments. Skills include the ability to use cognizant approach to problem solving in delivering patient care with considerations being given to the patient’s past experience, finances and other resources. Skills are needed to assess both physical and psychological needs of patients and institute the appropriate nursing intervention. Must possess ingenuity to handle medical and situational emergencies.
3. Maintains confidentiality of information relating to patient. Will discuss only those aspects necessary to care and treatment of patient with those directly involved in the patient’s care.
4. Physical Demands: Must be able to complete all physical demands of the job, which may include, but not be limited to: the ability to lift and transfer patients, carry supplies, and read normal typewritten print. Have corrected vision and hearing within normal range and have manual dexterity with normal range of motion of all extremities. May be requested to work weekends, holidays, and occasional overtime. Must be able to work alone without usual support systems immediately available in acute care settings. Must have the ability to deal with abrupt schedule changes and to maintain objectivity in coping with the stress of working with acute, chronic and terminally ill patients. 
5. Work Ethic: Complies with the Homecare Agency dress code, projects a professional attitude toward self, patients, and other staff members, and follows department public relation policies regarding outside speaking and professional affiliations, clearing all such requests through Homecare Agency. 

Requirements

Qualifications:

A person who is

1. Licensed as a physical therapy assistant, if applicable, by the State in which practicing, and
2. Has graduated from a 2-year college-level program approved by the American Physical Therapy Association; or 
3. Has 2 years of appropriate experience as a physical therapy assistant, and has achieved a satisfactory grade on a proficiency examination conducted, approved, or sponsored by the U.S. Public Health Service, except that these determinations of proficiency do not apply with respect to persons initially licensed by a State or seeking initial qualification as a physical therapy assistant after December 31, 1977.