Physical Therapy Assistant

Job Summary:

Assists the physical therapist by administering therapy interventions as directed by the supervising physical therapist, progressing patient/client within the outlined plan of care, and communicating with the supervising physical therapist about patient status in accordance with federal and state regulations in order to provide the highest quality of patient care. Complies with documentation requirements related to this position. Enthusiastically participates in department development and education of the community.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities – Application of Interventions:

Interventions

• Provide interventions within the experience, education, comfort level, and scope of practice.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skill of all relevant therapeutic interventions appropriate to a physical therapist assistant: manual techniques, therapeutic exercise and activities, neurologic re-education, and gait progression, as well as all modalities and machines utilized in the clinic.

Preparation

• Review patient documentation prior to treatment for pre-planning, to resolve any questions or scheduling conflicts prior to the scheduled treatment.
• Gather relevant information from medical records, patients, family, and other health professionals as needed.

Patient Progression

• Consistently strive to progress the patient's interventions within the established plan of care or protocol.
• Alter treatment plans with the physical therapist's approval, when changes in patient's status or response to treatment declines or progresses unexpectedly.

Objective Measures

• Demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to gather the following pertinent objective measures: functional skills/activities of daily living, manual muscle test, range of motion (ROM), sensory evaluation, gait/posture analysis, neurological and orthopedic status, chronic and acute pain syndromes, and integumentary and cardiopulmonary systems.

Assist Physicians

• Assist Premier Bone & Joint Centers' physicians with patient care by appropriately fabricating custom orthoses, fitting and training patients with appropriate brace and other assistive devices, and providing appropriate interventions under the supervision of a physical therapist while maintaining a full case load.

Ethical Conduct

• Accept responsibility for patient care; provide care in a manner which exemplifies ethical conduct as described in the American Physical Therapy Association's Standards of Ethical Conduct for the physical therapy assistant.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities – Team Communication:

Work with Physical Therapist

• Work with the supervising physical therapist to determine changes in patient status and progress in the patient's care plan; provide recommendations to the physical therapist regarding progress towards goals and upcoming discharge based on current level of function.

Healthcare Team Collaboration

• Communicate and consult effectively and timely with supervising physical therapists, physicians, Premier Bone & Joint Centers' departments, and other healthcare providers about the patient response to treatment, recommendations, or problem-solving as required for all patients at Premier Bone & Joint Centers.

Educate Patient

• Explain the physical therapy treatment plan and therapeutic procedures at the patient's and/or family member's level of understanding.
• Effectively communicate goals and expectations with patient/family.

Supportive Personnel

• Utilize supportive personnel legally in an effective and efficient manner; thoroughly explain techniques and goals of delegated interventions or tasks; collect information regarding patient's response to treatment and document appropriately.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities – Documentation:

Therapeutic Response

• Effectively documents the patient's response to therapy interventions.

Document Objective Measurements, Progress, and Advancement

• Correctly document and update the patient's objective measurements each treatment.
• Document progress towards goals at least weekly as appropriate for a physical therapy assistant and the patient's ability to advance interventions to demonstrate progression through plan of care or documents attempts and reasons for the patient's inability to progress.

Document Consultations

• Document discussions with physical therapist or physician regarding the patient's care and any modifications to treatment or plan due to that discussion.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities – Efficiency/Productivity:

Effective Use of Time

• Use time in clinic effectively, allowing for maximum patient/therapist contact and productivity (goal of 80% per week).

Assist Physical Therapists

• Assist physical therapists when schedule allows to facilitate physical therapy's productivity and patient care; seek out patient care opportunities when schedule is not filled.

Bill Patients

• Bill patients correctly for interventions and supplies provided and by established protocol.
• Provide correct coding as required.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities – Participation in Therapy Clinic Operation & Development:

Continuing Education

• Participate in pertinent and high-quality continuing education with ongoing development of work-related policies and professional skills and knowledge to remain abreast of healthcare policies and most effective and efficient patient care techniques.

Staff Meetings

• Attend and participate in Premier Bone & Joint Centers and departmental in-services and staff meetings.
• Readily offers to educate staff on any recent continuing education experiences.

Educating Community

• Participate in educating the community, other Premier Bone & Joint Centers' departments, and patients/clients in the role of physical therapy and physical therapy interventions outside of traditional clinic duties at least twice per year.

Information Processing:

Language Use Skills

• Skill in language use, including reading and comprehending instructions, short correspondence, and memos, constructing correspondence, and presenting information in one-on-one, small group situations, in person, and electronically.

Computer Use

• Utilize computer to perform department functions and appropriate communication.
• Check e-mail daily when at work to ensure all necessary information has been received.
• Does not use computers at work for personal tasks.

Interpersonal Skills:

Compassion

• Demonstrate compassion and caring in dealing with others, including patients, co-workers, and visitors.

Analyzing Skills

• Analyze situations accurately, make decisions to bring a favorable resolution, and take effective action; seek out help when appropriate.

Flexibility/Patient Care

• Respond with flexibility to changing work load and/or patient assignments. Readily adjust schedule to accommodate patient care.

Working Relationships

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with physicians, co-workers and the public that harbor a friendly, yet professional interaction.
• Demonstrate willingness to readily interact with other staff members and department.

Utilization and Quality Data

• Ability to evaluate utilization and quality data and make necessary modifications in performance by self-monitoring productivity, monitoring patient progression, assisting with other therapists or duties to ensure efficient running of the department to reduce costs.
• This includes accepting responsibility for professional growth and personal conduct to ensure the best services/care are being provided.

Stressful Situations

• Able to be flexible, organized, and function under stressful situations.

Other Duties

• Perform other duties as directed/required to ensure efficient operations of Premier Bone & Joint Centers.

Adherence to Facility & Department Policy:

Attendance/Punctuality

• Maintain a good attendance record and arrives to work punctually.

Overtime

• Able to substantiate overtime, minimizes overtime and adjusts hours as needed.

Dress Code/Identification

• Follow dress code of the department, appear professional when present in the clinic, wear identification while on duty, and communicate name and role to patient appropriately.

Confidentiality

• Observe confidentiality of information in regards to patients, physicians, and fellow employees; ability to maintain confidentiality under HIPAA standards.

Safety & Infection Control Policies

• Adhere to safety and infection control policies.

Cell Phone Use

• Cell phone may be used for business purposes only.
• Utilize cell phone for personal use only during breaks or meal periods out of the public eye.

Quality Assurance

• Participate in performance improvement and quality assurance Quality Assurance activities, when able, to ensure department processes are efficient, effective, and provide best quality care to patents and staff as possible.

Care of Environment, Equipment, & Supplies:

Clean, Neat, Safe Environment

• Maintain a clean, neat, and safe environment for patients and staff, including personal work areas.

Inventory of Supplies

• Notice need for new supplies or inventory and delegates accordingly or notifies the appropriate person.
• Assist the clinic to help maintain appropriate inventory in patient care areas.

Equipment

• Utilize correct/safe technique when using equipment and notifies appropriate personnel of malfunctioning equipment per department policies.

Education:

• Associates of Equivalent Physical Therapy Assistant - Required

Certification & Licensure:

• Licensure - Wyoming Physical Therapy Assistant License - Required
• Certification - Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider (BLS) – 2 year certification - Required
• Membership - American Physical Therapy Association - Preferred

Experience:

• 1 Clinical setting or completion and passing all clinic application program - Required

Physical Requirements:

• Seeing - Must be able to read patient charts, use a computer, and visually evaluate the patient during the rehabilitation process - Constant
• Hearing - Must be able to hear well enough to communicate to physicians, medical staff, physical therapy staff, administrative staff, and patients/families - Constant
• Speaking - Must be able to verbally communicate with physicians, medical staff, physical therapy staff, administration staff, and patients/families - Constant
• Grasping - Must be able to write and type to use hands and fingers to aid in patient rehabilitative care, and to maneuver rehabilitation equipment - Constant
• Bending/Crouching - Must be able to lower one’s body in order to aid patients during the rehabilitation program or to maneuver rehabilitation equipment - Frequently
• Standing - Frequently
• Sitting - Frequently

Weight Demands:

• Lifting - Must be able to lift 10 pounds or less - Frequently
• Lifting - Must be able to lift 11 – 25 pounds - Frequently
• Lifting - Must be able to lift 26 – 50 pounds - Occasionally
• Lifting - Must be able to lift 51 – 75 pounds - Occasionally
• Lifting - Must be able to lift 76 or more pounds - Occasionally
• Pushing/Pulling - Must be able to aid patients during the rehabilitation program and maneuver rehabilitation equipment - Frequently

Working Conditions:

Environmental Hazards

• Work environment contains rehabilitation equipment that may pose a danger if operated improperly.
• The fast paced environment may lead to increased levels of personal stress and demand high mental acuity.

Physical Hazards

• Physical harm is possible when performing physical requirements, as listed above.
• Exposure to communicable disease, bodily fluids, and/or toxic substances is possible and can be physically harmful.

Unique Work Schedule/Travel

• May be required to work after hours, on weekends, or holidays. May be required to provide services outside the clinical setting (i.e. at University or High School athletic events).

Employee Statement of Understanding:

I have read and understand the job description for my position. I am able to perform all of the essential functions of this position.

I agree to comply with the corporate compliance policy and all laws, rules, regulations and standards of conduct related to my position. As an employee, I understand my duty to report any suspected violations of the law or the standards of conduct to my immediate supervisor.

As an employee, I will strive to uphold the mission and vision of the organization. All employees are required to adhere to the values in all their interactions with patients, customers, and fellow employees.

Note: This description is intended to describe the general job duties and employment requirements for adequate job performance, and should not be interpreted as an exhaustive report. Additional duties and responsibilities may be assigned at the discretion of the employees’ supervisor.