Physical Therapist Assistant - BP-SD

POSITION DESCRIPTION

To provide direct patient care and support activities which build and maintain the outstanding outcomes of the therapy department.

• Provides patient care under the direction of a physical therapist.
• Completes documentation according to established procedures.
• Is involved in support duties as assigned.
• Contributes to professional development of self and others.
• Enhances interdisciplinary team through professional skills and knowledge.
• Demonstrates safe working practices.

• Provides patient treatment which meets patient needs in accordance with the plan of care, and uses current treatment knowledge in accordance with facility clinical procedures.
• Provides comprehensive, appropriate patient treatment in accordance with patient’s individual treatment plan as stipulated by supervising Physical Therapist.
• Providing clear instruction to patients and families.
• Communicating with supervisor and other health team members regarding patient progress, problems, and treatment plans.
• Instructing patients’ families or nursing staff in specified follow through programs.
• Demonstrating knowledge of appropriate resources for problem-solving and clinical best practice.

• Writes accurate, complete, and clear documentation in accordance with regulatory, licensing, payor, and accrediting agencies.
• Recording treatment charges accurately and ensuring that documentation is consistent with billing data.
• Writing clear and effective daily notes and progress notes.

• Assists with maintenance of patient charges and administrative support.
• Completing charges accurately on Productivity and Activities Log daily.
• Assisting therapists with scheduling and appointments for patient services.

• Consistently demonstrates facility’s interdisciplinary approach to patient care.
• Actively participating in patient care conferences.
• Collaborating with and informing facility staff in areas of patient progress.
• Educating members of the team in areas of expertise.
• Working with facility to teach documentation practices, which assist the therapy team.
• Communicating effectively with discharge planners.
• Integrating input from patient and family into treatment sessions.

• Contributes to professional development of self and others.
• Utilizing continuing education assistance to achieve targeted quality improvements.
• Interacting with peers at local acute hospitals and other environments, if appropriate.
• Presenting at weekly rehab team conferences and facility in-services.
• Maintaining current body of knowledge in areas of clinical expertise through seminars, professional journals, and peers.
• Meeting continuing education requirements of regulatory agencies.

• Aids in building and maintaining a positive facility culture as a professional member of the staff.
• Consistently demonstrating positive core values in interactions with co-workers, patients and families, with all other persons involved with the patient’s care, and the general public.
• Consistently demonstrating professional standards.
• Contributing to a positive work team by sharing information, using problem-solving methods and accepting new ideas, constructive criticism, or advice from others.
• Demonstrating superior customer service through courtesy, consistent follow-up and positive communication.

• Identifying and correcting safety hazards or notifying the facility or the Director of Rehab so that safety hazard will be immediately remedied.
• Maintaining work areas in safe and orderly fashion.
• Using proper body mechanics during treatments of patients and during support activities.
• Using universal safety precautions.
• Wearing appropriate safety equipment.

• Knowledge of Physical Therapy treatment techniques.
• Understanding the principles of physical modalities employed in Physical Therapy.
• Knowledge of use of prosthetic devices, ambulatory aids, assistive and resistive devices, and training.
• Knowledge of medical terminology.
• Ability to work with all types and levels of patients.
• Must have good written and verbal communication skills.

Associate of Science Degree from an accredited Physical Therapy Assistant program.

• Experience in geriatric rehabilitation preferred.
• Experience in adult neurological, cardiac, and/or general rehabilitation is preferred.

• Must be able to lift and transfer patient to and from all surfaces a minimum of 10 times per day.
• Must be able to lift approximately 50-70 pounds a minimum of 10 times per day.
• Must be proficient with the use of hands for repetitive grasping and fine motor manipulations.
• Must be able to perform CPR, if required.
• Physical Therapy Assistant will spend approximately 60-80% of time bending, stooping, kneeling, and reaching while working with physical therapy patients.
• Physical Therapy Assistant will spend approximately 60-80% of time walking/standing.