Physical Therapist Assistant - Coudersport and surrounding areas

Physical Therapist Assistant

UPMC Home Health is hiring a Physical Therapist Assistant for the Cole/Coudersport and surrounding areas. Provide Physical Therapy services to Agency patients/clients within the confines of the Pennsylvania state licensing laws. This will be done in a manner consistent with efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and regulatory compliance and in accordance with Agency policies, procedures, and code of ethics.

Responsibilities:

• Engage in public health activities by: Identifying unmet family/community problems/needs. Make referrals to internal and external providers to improve the health and welfare of the family/community under the direction of the Licensed Physical Therapist.
• Demonstrate support of the Agency's Mission, Principles, and Values, Ethics, & Standards of Behavior
• Perform ongoing patient observation. Assist the Licensed Physical Therapist in identifying the physical therapy need(s) and response(s) of patients through a continuous observation process. Utilize appropriate teaching methods that are age-specific, culturally sensitive, language-specific and appropriate to the level of education and physical disability. Implement the physical therapy plan with objectives mutually established with the patient and family. Perform patient treatments as established by the Licensed Physical Therapist. Maintain open communication (i.e., direct, telephone, written) with the Licensed Physical Therapist regarding the patient's medical condition and progress according to the established plan of care. Identify and communicate the need for referral(s) for internal and external resources to the Licensed Physical Therapist.
• Responsible for Performance Improvement. Report all safety problems and injuries appropriately. Implement performance improvement activities as recommended. Participate in the Process Action Team as requested. Work effectively with others to find solutions that benefit all parties. Recommend performance improvement strategies.
• Comply with established Agency requirements. Maintain productivity standards. Maintain Agency clinical competencies. Adhere to infection control principles and standards. Adhere to the Agency's physical therapy bag care standards. Adhere to Agency quality control standards. Complete infection control surveillance survey as mandated. Utilize Agency equipment in the performance of care. Complete education requirements. Comply with Agency safety standards. Attend regular staff meetings.
• Responsible for Human Resources (HR) Compliance. Submit required HR documentation when due. Adhere to the Agency dress code policy. Wear an identification badge. Maintain satisfactory attendance and punctuality.
• Responsible for customer relations and patient satisfaction. Value customers by making serving patients a top priority. Communicate with health team members and referral sources in a courteous and timely manner. Initiate activities to resolve customer complaints under the direction of the supervisor. Report and document customer complaints under the direction of the supervisor. Establish and maintain customer relationship focus with all internal and external customers.
• Expand knowledge and expertise through educational resources and literature review
• Participate in clinical conferences as requested.
• Consult and coordinate care with team and case manager under the direction of a Licensed Physical Therapist through identification and reporting of patient needs.
• Represent and participate in Agency professional and community activities as requested
• Promote and support employee recognition.
• Implement and advance physical therapy interventions under the direction of a Licensed Physical Therapist.
• Maintain personal productivity by demonstrating satisfactory attendance and punctuality
• Provide quality physical therapy care within a plan of care established by the Licensed Physical Therapist.
• Responsible for documentation or observation(s) and care provided. Document the status of outcomes on an ongoing basis. Document care provided according to Agency procedures. Document that care is reasonable and necessary. Submit documentation within agency-defined timeframes.
• Model and mentor effective leadership and management
• Promote personal and co-worker safety during work duties
• Responsible for Compliance and Ethics as it relates to Agency services. Explain and adhere to the patient Bill of Rights and the OASIS Privacy Act.
• Maintain and protect customer and Agency confidentiality
• Educate and require adherence to performance improvement processes and initiatives

Education: Must meet one of the following:

• Graduated from a physical therapist assistant curriculum approved by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association; or if educated outside the United States or trained in the United States military, graduated from an education program determined to be substantially equivalent to physical therapist assistant entry level education in the United States by a credentials evaluation organization approved by the American Physical Therapy Association or identified at 8 CFR 212.15(e); and
• Passed a national examination for physical therapist assistants.
• On or before December 31, 2009, meets one of the following 1.) Is licensed, or otherwise regulated in the State in which practicing. 2) In States where licensure or other regulations do not apply, graduated on or before December 31, 2009, from a 2-year college-level program approved by the American Physical Therapy Association and, effective January 1, 2010, meets the requirements of paragraph (a) of this definition. Before January 1, 2008, where licensure or other regulation does not apply, graduated from a 2-year college-level program approved by the American Physical Therapy Association. On or before December 31, 1977, was licensed or qualified as a physical therapist assistant and has achieved a satisfactory grade on a proficiency examination conducted, approved, or sponsored by the U.S. Public Health Service.

Experience: Two years of appropriate experience as a PTA required. At least 2000 hours of patient-related acts and services that have been verified by a supervising licensed PT or employment as a PTA for at least three of the last five years immediately preceding the date of employment. Computerization Skills: Competency in computer skills in a Windows-based environment is preferred. Travel: Access to transportation in the Agency service area with a valid Pennsylvania driver's license and auto

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• CPR: Required
• Certification/Licensure: Licensed, registered, or certified as a Physical Therapist Assistant by the state in which practicing. CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire
• Automotive Insurance
• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Driver's License
• Physical Therapist Assistant Indirect Supervision
• Act 33
• Act 34
• OAPSA

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran