Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

Physical Therapy Assistant

The Physical Therapy Assistant provides skilled therapeutic interventions to patients using their educational skills and knowledge. Documents patient treatment and progress toward goals in the patient electronic health record. Implements established treatment programs and provides patient and family education. This may involve outpatients, inpatients, pediatrics and off-site locations. Services the patients as a part of the entire continuum of professional care.

Essential job functions include providing age-appropriate therapeutic interventions as directed by the Physical Therapist and monitoring response to treatment, maintaining accurate and concise records on treatment provided and patient's progress, maintaining set level of productivity without jeopardizing quality, precepting in the direction and evaluation of assistant clinical experience / internship of students from participating colleges, universities, or schools, maintaining departmental policies and procedures regarding safety, infection control, time off requests, and timecard recording, observing and reporting patients' responses to treatment and progress and reporting orally and / or in writing to the Physical Therapist, and collaborating with Physical Therapist and other health team members to exchange and discuss patient information for planning, modifying, and coordinating treatment programs.

Licensing / certification required includes being licensed as a Physical Therapist Assistant in the state of current practice. BLS Basic Life Support is preferred upon hire, required within 30 days for BSMH, required at hire for RSFH.

Working conditions may include periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads, long-distance or air travel as needed, general office environment, exposure to high noise levels and bright lights, exposure to physical altercations and verbal abuse, exposure to limited hazardous substances or body fluids, required to use physical restraints, exposure to human blood and other potentially infectious materials, exposure to adverse weather conditions, periods of constant interruptions, required to car travel to off-site locations, occasionally in adverse weather conditions, and prolonged periods of working alone.

Physical demands include lifting / carrying (0-50 lbs, 50-100 lbs), push / pull (0-50 lbs, 50-100 lbs), stoop, kneel, crawling, climbing, balance, bending, manual dexterity (eye / hand coordination), performing shift work, maneuvering weight of patients, hearing alarms / telephone / audio recordings, reaching above shoulder, repetitive arm / hand movements, finger dexterity, color vision, acuity far, acuity near, depth perception, use of latex products, exposure to toxic / caustic / chemicals / detergents, exposure to moving mechanical parts, exposure to dust / fumes, exposure to potential electrical shock, exposure to x ray / electromagnetic energy, exposure to high pitched noises, gaseous risk exposure.

Skills required include demonstrating appropriate application of age specific standards, policies and procedures and guidelines in caring for pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients, demonstrating general computer skills including data entry, word processing, email, and records management, analytical abilities to evaluate patient condition, capabilities and progress, interpersonal skills necessary to effectively interact with co-workers, physicians, patients and families, ability to work well with all levels of patients, the public and other health care professionals, critical thinking skills, effective organizational and time management skills, effective written and verbal communication skills, ability to prioritize, meet deadlines, and complete complex tasks, ability to maintain quality, safety, and / or infection prevention standards, ability to work independently, and ability to maintain proper levels of confidentiality of all work related and sensitive information.