Physical Therapy Assistant

Physical Therapy Assistant - PTA - PRN
This position is located at Fahrney Keedy in Boonsboro Maryland. 

$38.00 / PRN RATE

SUMMARY:

• Provide practical established Physical Therapy Assistant skills to residents following Fahrney-Keedy’s policies and procedures.
• Administer Physical Therapy Assistant services under the supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist.
• Provide strong verbal and written communication skills with residents, family members, visitors, staff, etc.

DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY:

As a Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA), you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibilities and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties

EMPLOYMENT AT WILL:

Employment with Fahrney-Keedy is “at will”. Either the associate or Fahrney-Keedy may terminate the employment relationship for any reason at any time without notice, regardless of the length of employment or the granting of benefits of any kind, including but not limited to benefits which provide for vesting based on length of service.

CONFIDENTIALITY:

Fahrney-Keedy associates recognize that Fahrney-Keedy has and will have information regarding financial, personal and medical affairs and other vital information (collectively, “information”) which are valuable, special and unique assets of Fahrney-Keedy. Associates agree that they will not at any time or in any manner solicit, collect or divulge any Information to any third party without the prior written consent of Fahrney-Keedy. This information is Company property which may not be disclosed outside the facility unless properly released for publication. Associates will protect the Information and treat it as strictly confidential. Associates should not discuss Fahrney-Keedy affairs with others

JOB FUNCTION:

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.

RESIDENT CARE DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Performs all assigned tasks in accordance with our established policies and procedures under the supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist.

Follows work assignments, and/or work schedules in completing and performing assigned tasks.

Cooperates with inter-departmental staff as well as other facility staff to ensure that therapy services can be adequately maintained to meet the needs of the residents.

Creates and maintains an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the unit and shift.

Reports all complaints and grievances made by a resident immediately.

Notifies the facility when you will be late or absent from work – at least two hours prior to your shift start time.

Reports work-related injuries or illnesses and/or occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals to the supervisor.

Reports known or suspected incidents of fraud to the supervisor.

Administers physical therapy and treatment to residents working under the direction of a licensed Physical Therapist according to your scope of practice.

Follows plan of care established by the evaluating Physical Therapist.

Completes weekly clinical progress notes, daily treatment encounter notes, and rehab. Discharge programs for each resident via Rehab. Optima.

Treats residents with the most current techniques following appropriate physician orders and ethical standards for Physical Therapy treatments according to your State Practice Act.

Follows established procedures of physical agent modalities.

Educates resident in exercise, ambulation and activities of daily living.

Reports concerns with resident’s treatment or suggested modifications to Director of Therapy or Physical Therapist.

Participates in care plan meetings, team conferences and interdisciplinary team training/conferences under the direction of the Physical Therapist.

Educates and supervises family and/or caregiver in the Physical Therapy Rehab. Discharge program as assigned by the Physical Therapist.

Receives supervision from an evaluating Therapist per State Practice Act guidelines.

Adheres to the minimum weekly productivity standard of 90%.

Follows other delegated tasks as outlined on the Evaluating Therapist Assistant Task List.

Agrees not to disclose assigned user ID code and password for accessing resident/facility information and promptly reports suspected or known violations of such disclosure to the supervisor.

Agrees not to disclose resident’s protected health information and promptly reports suspected or known violations of such disclosure to the supervisor.

Reports any known or suspected unauthorized attempts to access the facility’s information system to the supervisor.

Ensures that departmental computer workstations left unattended are properly logged off or the password protected automatic screensaver activates within established facility policy guidelines.

Keeps call buttons within easy reach of each

resident.

Immediately notifies the Director of Therapy or Director of Nursing of any resident leaving/missing from the facility.

Follows established safety precautions in the performance of all duties.

Keeps excess supplies and equipment off the floor. Stores in designated areas.

Cleans, disinfects, and returns all resident care equipment to its designated storage area after each use.

Reports all hazardous conditions and equipment to the Director of Therapy immediately.

Reports all safety violations.

Reports any communicable or infectious disease to the Director of Therapy or the Infection Control Coordinator.

Follows established isolation precautions and procedures.

Wears and/or uses safety equipment and supplies.

Safely uses only the equipment you have been trained to use.

Reports defective equipment to the Director of Therapy.

Practices appropriate handwashing and use of hand sanitizer at all times.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an associate may encounter while performing the essential duties of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

• Works throughout the facility.
• Subject to frequent interruptions.
• Subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, visitors, etc.
• May work beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary.
• Subject to call-back during emergency conditions (i.e., severe weather, evacuation, post disaster, etc.)
• Subject to handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals.
• Subject to exposure to infectious waste diseases, conditions, etc., including TB, HIV, Hep. B, etc.
• Attends and participates in educational programs.
• Subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc. throughout the workday, as well as reactions from dust, disinfectants, and/or other air contaminants.

RESIDENT RIGHTS:

• Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information including protected health information. Report known or suspected incidents of unauthorized disclosure of such information.
• Ensure that you treat all residents fairly with kindness, dignity, and respect.
• Ensure that all nursing care is provided in privacy.
• Knock and wait for permission to enter all residents’ rooms.
• Report all grievances and complaints made by the residents to the Delegating RN.
• Report all allegations of resident abuse and/or misappropriation of resident property to the Fahrney-Keedy Abuse Coordinator.
• Honor the resident’s refusal of treatment request. Report such requests to your Supervisor.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:

• Maintain current licensure.
• Maintain CPR and First Aid certification.
• Attend continuing education as required by law for maintaining all applicable licensure.
• Participate in program development, in-service training and educational programs as related to Physical Therapy.
• Provide education to Rehab. Department following CEU event.
• Must be able to read, write, speak and understand the English language.
• Must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age-related needs of the residents served.
• Must be a supportive team member, contribute to and be an example of team work and team concept.
• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
• Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with staff, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public.
• Must possess the ability and willingness to work harmoniously with other staff.
• Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as the willingness to handle difficult residents.
• Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing nursing practices.
• Must be able to relate information concerning a resident’s condition.
• Must not pose a direct threat to the health and safety of other individuals in the workplace.

EDUCATION:

• Degree from an APTA approved college program for PTA’s.
• Licensure in applicable state.

• PHYSICAL & SENSORY REQUIREMENTS (With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices):
• 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 be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to ensure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.
• Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, staff, and support agencies.
• Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility, which include a medical and physical examination.
• Must be able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and, at times, hostile people within the facility.
• Must not have a weight-lifting restriction. Must be able to assist with transfer of a resident up to 300 lbs. and lift 100 lbs. Must be able to push, pull, move and/or lift to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry a minimum distance of 50 feet.
• May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT:

I have read this job description and fully understand that the requirements set forth therein have been determined to be essential to this position. I hereby accept the position and agree to perform the tasks outlined in the job description in a safe manner and in accordance with he facility’s established procedures. I understand that as a result of my employment, I may be exposed to blood, body fluids, infectious diseases, air contaminants and hazardous chemicals and that the facility will provide to me instructions on how to prevent and control such exposures. I further understand that I may also be exposed to the Hepatitis B Virus and that the facility will make available to me, free of charge, the Hepatitis B vaccination. I also understand I may not release/disclose protected health or facility information without proper authorization.