Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) - Mobile/Home-Based Care

Job Description

Job Description

Overview
We are seeking a skilled, compassionate, and dependable Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) to provide high-quality physical therapy services to patients in their homes throughout the San Diego, CA region.

The Physical Therapist Assistant will work under the direction and supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist to provide skilled therapeutic interventions, implement established plans of care, monitor patient response and progress, reinforce home exercise programs, and educate patients and caregivers on strategies to improve mobility, function, safety, and independence.
The ideal candidate is comfortable working independently within the scope of PTA practice in a home-based environment, has strong communication and interpersonal skills, and is passionate about delivering patient-centered care.
This is a 1099 independent contractor position.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Travel to patients' homes throughout the assigned service area to provide physical therapy treatment under the direction of the supervising Physical Therapist.
• Review the patient's established plan of care, treatment goals, precautions, and relevant clinical information prior to providing treatment.
• Provide skilled physical therapy interventions in accordance with the Physical Therapist's plan of care, including:
  • Therapeutic exercises
  • Therapeutic activities
  • Neuromuscular re-education
  • Gait and mobility training
  • Balance and coordination training
  • Functional strengthening
  • Transfer training
  • Fall prevention and safety training
  • Manual therapy when appropriate and within the PTA's scope of practice
  • Functional mobility and activity training
• Assist patients with improving strength, range of motion, balance, coordination, endurance, gait, mobility, and functional performance.
• Train patients in the safe and appropriate use of assistive devices such as walkers, canes, and other mobility equipment as directed by the Physical Therapist.
• Implement and reinforce individualized home exercise programs established by the Physical Therapist.
• Educate patients and caregivers regarding prescribed exercises, mobility strategies, safety precautions, fall prevention, positioning, transfers, and strategies to promote independence.
• Monitor patient response to treatment and recognize changes in pain, functional status, mobility, tolerance, or overall condition.
• Communicate significant changes in patient condition, response to treatment, progress, concerns, or barriers to the supervising Physical Therapist in a timely manner.
• Provide feedback to the Physical Therapist regarding patient progress and response to the established plan of care.
• Assist the Physical Therapist with reassessments and other clinical follow-up activities as appropriate and permitted within the PTA's scope of practice.
• Modify treatment activities within the established plan of care as appropriate and within the PTA's scope of practice, while communicating clinically significant changes to the supervising Physical Therapist.
• Reinforce proper body mechanics, transfer techniques, positioning, and safety strategies with patients and caregivers.
• Adapt treatment approaches to the patient's home environment, available space, equipment, functional abilities, and individual needs while following the established plan of care.
• Coordinate care and communicate professionally with Physical Therapists, physicians, nurses, caregivers, occupational therapists, and other healthcare professionals as appropriate.
• Communicate promptly regarding patient concerns, cancellations, scheduling changes, or other issues that may affect care.
• Complete accurate, timely, and thorough documentation for daily treatment visits and other required clinical documentation.
• Maintain compliance with applicable federal and state regulations, professional standards, payer requirements, PTA supervision requirements, and company policies.
• Recognize changes in patient condition that may require notification of the supervising Physical Therapist, referring provider, or other healthcare professional.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries at all times.
• Provide compassionate, respectful, and professional care to patients and their families in the home setting.

Requirements

• Current and valid Physical Therapist Assistant license in good standing.
• Graduate of an accredited Physical Therapist Assistant program.
• Strong knowledge of anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, biomechanics, therapeutic exercise, and rehabilitation principles.
• Strong understanding of physical therapy treatment techniques and functional mobility principles.
• Ability to safely and effectively implement a Physical Therapist's established plan of care.
• Knowledge of therapeutic exercise, gait training, balance training, functional mobility, neuromuscular re-education, strengthening, transfer training, and fall prevention.
• Strong observation and patient monitoring skills.
• Ability to recognize and appropriately communicate changes in patient condition or functional status.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and effectively manage a mobile patient caseload while maintaining appropriate communication with the supervising Physical Therapist.
• Must be punctual, dependable, organized, and professional.
• Comfortable entering and providing care in patients' homes and working with patients and caregivers in a home-based environment.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required.
• Ability to travel throughout the assigned service area.
• CPR/BLS certification preferred or required according to company policy.
• Previous home health, mobile therapy, outpatient, orthopedic, neurological, geriatric, or community-based experience is preferred.

Mobile/Home-Based Care Expectations
Because this position involves providing care in patients' homes, the Physical Therapist Assistant must be able to:

• Arrive at scheduled visits within the expected timeframe.
• Manage travel time and maintain an efficient daily schedule.
• Carry and transport necessary clinical equipment and supplies.
• Adapt treatment approaches to different home environments and available space.
• Maintain a safe and professional environment during every patient visit.
• Communicate promptly regarding cancellations, scheduling changes, patient concerns, or changes in patient status.
• Respect patients' homes, privacy, routines, and individual preferences.
• Demonstrate sound clinical judgment within the PTA's scope of practice when working independently in the community.
• Maintain appropriate communication with the supervising Physical Therapist regarding patient progress, concerns, and changes in condition.

Documentation and Compliance
The Physical Therapist Assistant is responsible for completing all required clinical documentation accurately and within established timeframes, including:

• Daily treatment notes
• Patient response to treatment
• Progress toward established functional goals
• Exercises and interventions performed
• Patient and caregiver education
• Home exercise program instruction and reinforcement
• Communication with the supervising Physical Therapist
• Documentation of changes in patient condition or functional status
• Other documentation required by the organization, payer, supervising Physical Therapist, or applicable regulations

The PTA must practice within the scope of the California Physical Therapist Assistant license and applicable supervision requirements and must follow the established plan of care developed by the supervising Physical Therapist.

Job Type
Full-time – 1099 Independent Contractor

Pay Structure (1099)

• Guaranteed base pay: $840 per week
• Base compensation is calculated at $35 per patient visit, based on a minimum of 6 patient visits per day.
• $35 per additional patient visit for visits beyond the daily base of 6.
• Compensation is subject to the terms of the independent contractor agreement.

Schedule
4/10 Schedule

• Four 10-hour workdays per week
• Typical start time: 7:30 AM–8:30 AM, depending on patient scheduling and geographic coverage.
• Daily schedule may vary based on patient locations, visit duration, and patient needs.

Work Location
Mobile/Home-Based – San Diego, CA Region
The Physical Therapist Assistant will travel to assigned patients' homes throughout the designated service area.

Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a clinically capable, compassionate, dependable, and self-motivated Physical Therapist Assistant who enjoys working one-on-one with patients and families.
The successful candidate will be comfortable providing care in patients' homes, implementing established plans of care, adapting treatment activities to the patient's home environment, monitoring patient response, communicating effectively with the supervising Physical Therapist, and maintaining excellent documentation.
This position is an excellent opportunity for a Physical Therapist Assistant who values autonomy, flexibility, meaningful patient relationships, and community-based care while working as an integral member of a collaborative physical therapy team.

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