Physical Therapy Assistant

POSITION SUMMARY The Physical Therapy Assistant provides skilled service to the patient with the goal of maintaining the patient’s highest level of physical function.

REPORTS TO: Physical Therapist

SUPERVISES: None

QUALIFICATIONS:

Credentials: Licensed, registered or certified as a physical therapist assistant, if applicable, by the State in which practicing, unless licensure does not apply and meets one of the following requirements. Or valid compact

Current Basic Life Support license (BLS).

Education: Graduated from a physical therapist assistant curriculum approved by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association; or if educated outside the United States or trained in the United States military, graduated from an education program determined to be substantially equivalent to physical therapist assistant entry level education in the United States by the credentials evaluation organization approved by the American Physical Therapy Association or identified at 8 CFR 212.15(e); and passed a national examination for physical therapist assistants. Eff 10/01/2010

Experience: 1+ years’ experience is desired.

Core Competencies: Comprehensive knowledge of the rehabilitative services in physical and bodily competencies. Demonstrates ability to plan, organize and make effective decisions. Possesses ability to think critically and problem solve. Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills. Demonstrates positive communication skills in interacting with all members of the team.

Other: Valid driver's license and auto insurance.

FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides treatment as ordered by the attending physician or podiatrist.
• Assists the physician in evaluating the level of function.
• Assists in developing and updating the plan of care with and under the supervision of the Physical Therapist.
• Observes, records, and reports information on the patient’s condition to the attending physician and in the patient’s medical record.
• Advises, consults, and when appropriate, instructs the family and other agency personnel, in patient’s therapy program.
• Teaches and supervises other health personnel when appropriate.
• Evaluates the home environment and makes appropriate recommendations for activities of daily living.
• Participates in in-services, team conferences and utilization review as needed.
• Maintains on-going communication with the agency beginning with start of care and continuing as patient’s condition changes, and when the treatment plan is changed.
• Submits supplemental orders to be sent to physician after the initial evaluation and whenever the plan of care is changed.
• Participates in the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Plan and activities as scheduled.
• Delivers all the required documentation to the offices of the Agency on the designated submission days of the week. All documents must be co-signed by the Physical Therapist.
• All other duties deemed necessary and appropriate.