Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA)

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) delivers a high level of quality therapy services under the supervision of a Physical Therapist to maximize functional outcomes, actively participates in discharge planning, implements the treatment program and communicates the patient response. Services are delivered within the framework of a team approach, including all disciplines, significant others and the patient. These services are delivered in compliance with the facilities ethical standards, policies and procedures, national professional standards, state practice acts, where applicable, and current state of the art practice.

MAJOR TASKS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plan and administer prescribed Physical Therapy Treatment under the general supervision of the supervising PT to restore function, relieve pain and prevent disability following illness, disease, or injury.
• Schedule Patients for treatment.
• Participate in developing and updating policies and procedures.
• Assist in maintaining inventory of materials and supplies in the Rehabilitation Department.
• Aid in the care and safety of patients.
• Prepare equipment for patient treatment as requested by the PT to relieve the PT to perform other professional duties.
• Responsible for record keeping procedures and documenting, ensuring confidentiality of all records.
• Perform other duties as required or requested (i.e. opening the Department in the mornings, ordering, and putting away linen, putting supplies in their proper place etc.
• Participate in the educational activities of the department/facility.
• Communicate with patient’s physician and other health care professionals as necessary regarding the patient’s progress, treatment, etc. in consultation with the supervisor.
• Practice Physical Therapy consistent with the American Physical Therapy Association Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
• Maintain a patient treatment schedule consistent with the needs of the department/facility.
• Confer with the persons most closely associated with the management of the patient and keep them informed of any additional patient needs, treatment modification and/or progress.
• Administer manual therapeutic exercises to improve or maintain muscle function, applying precise amounts of manual force and guiding patients/residents through patterns and degrees of movement.
• Instruct, motivate, and assist patients/residents in non-manual exercises such as active regimes, isometric and progressive-resistive and in functional activities, such as gait training and transfer training. Utilize weights, exercise machines, mats, steps, inclined surfaces, and assistive and supportive devises such as walkers, canes, crutches, parallel bars, orthoses and prostheses.
• Record patient treatment, response, and progress; consults with supervising physical therapist, physician and/or nursing in the advent of adverse reaction.
• Give direct care to those resident most in need of his/her special skills and experience.
• Participate in health teaching of residents.
• Assess residents’ conditions and needs during therapy sessions, and assume responsibility for contributing to the resident’s plan of care.
• Keep the supervising physical therapist and head or Charge Nurse informed of residents conditions in a responsible and timely manner.
• Identify architectural barriers.
• Recognize his/her own strengths.
• Modify treatment as necessary.
• Understand basic concepts related to the health care system, including multi-disciplinary team approach, quality care, government agencies, private sector, role of the health care providers, health care facility’s issues and problems.
• Observe resident’s rights; provide privacy when in the presence of a resident, include that person in a conversation.
• Has a working knowledge of all resident conditions on his/her team load, makes use of reference materials to check or increase his/her knowledge of conditions of illness, and of maintenance and restorative care.
• Utilize universal precautions as prescribed by the Centers of Disease Control.
• Assist in evaluation of patient’s daily skills and capacities to determine the extent of the abilities and limitations.
• Instruct patient family in home programs and in the use of adaptive equipment.
• Prepare and submit all reports in a timely manner. Reports include 14-Day summaries, Discharge summaries, daily notes, weekly notes, charge records, Rap Keys, 90-Day Screens and PPS minutes. The discharge summaries are written in conjunction with the supervising PT and must be signed by the supervising PT.
• Document physical therapy treatment in weekly notes consistently and accurately including specific treatment rendered and response to therapy as relates to the goals.
• Documentation is written in proper English.
• Assist with the development of updating goals of the patients.
• Accurately projects D/C dates for Weekly Rehabilitation meetings.
• Maintain confidentiality of all patient records.
• Attend all departmental meetings on time.
• Attend Care-plans with residents/patients and their family and reports on patients needs and progress, discusses reports and further goals, and D/C plan.
• Attend all mandatory in-services and participate in in-servicing other departments.
• Supervise and guide non-professional personnel in work organization and administration of resident’s care.
• Maintain a teaching relationship with team members by example in the interest of safe and effective resident care.
• Work cooperatively as a member of the team.
• Participate in obtaining relief coverage as necessitated by staff member absences.
• Keep abreast of new techniques and trends in the field of Physical Therapy.
• Attends conventions, meetings, or special courses whenever possible and shares with the department/personnel, information gained as a result.
• Maintain good public relations with all community sources.
• Conduct self with professional dignity, be pleasant, tactful, understand the importance of good human relations, able to motivate others, show initiative, good judgment, and enthusiasm.
• Assist with recruitment of applicants for positions; orient new personnel to the program and procedures.
• Assist in maintaining the facilities philosophy and meeting its objectives.
• Function within the established personnel policies.
• Keep superiors and subordinates informed as indicated to maintain good resident care and good morale among staff members.
• Keep current on and adheres to the department/facilities policies and procedures.
• Maintain good working relationships with all facility personnel.
• Foster and maintain cordial relationships with the residents, their families and friends.

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is an essential function of the position.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be a graduate of an approved School of Physical Therapy with a preferred minimum of two years clinical experience; possess a valid License issued by the State of Florida.
• Knowledge of the clinical theory of Physical therapy.
• Practical knowledge of physical therapy skills and standards, and consistent adherence to the Physical Therapy Practice Act.
• Maintenance of high standards of performance in all areas of resident contact and personnel relations.
• Must be convinced of the worth and dignity of each individual and a genuine interest in geriatric Rehabilitation.
• Must be able to relate professionally and positively to facility staff and work cooperatively with other associates at all levels.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English through verbal and written communication.
• Ability to work under stress and in emergency situations.

PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS/EXPOSURE RISKS

(With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)

• Refer to Physical, mental and sensory requirements/exposure risk attachment.
• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner.
• Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
• Must possess sight/hearing senses or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so that the requirements of this position can be fully met.
• Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility, which include a medical physical examination, chest x-ray or PPD, and drug test.
• Must function independently, have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, and support agencies.
• Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of 50 pounds and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 100 feet.
• May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.
• This position requires a Level 2 background screening through the Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse. For information about screening requirements, disqualifying offenses, exemptions, and timelines, please visit the AHCA Background Screening resource: https://info.flclearinghouse.com

REPORTS TO:

• Director of Rehabilitation

License/Certification:

• Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant (Required)

Work Location: In person