Physical Therapist Assistant

Physical Therapy Assistant

Conducts medically prescribed physical therapy under the supervision of a physical therapist. Performs the duties and responsibilities within the scope of a Physical Therapy Assistant - Level I & II, as defined within the job description.

Minimum Qualifications

Education, Certification, and/or Licensure:

• Current physical therapy assistant licensure in the applicable state where services will be performed:
• MD: Physical Therapy Assistant through Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners OR Physical Therapy Assistant Compact License
• OH: Physical Therapy Assistant through Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Training Board OR Physical Therapy Assistant Compact License
• PA: Physical Therapy Assistant through Pennsylvania State Board of Physical Therapy OR Physical Therapy Assistant Compact License
• WV: Physical Therapy Assistant through West Virginia Board of Physical Therapists OR Physical Therapy Assistant Compact License
• Obtain certification in Basic Life Support within 30 days of hire date.

Experience:

• Four (4) years of physical therapy assistant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Education, Certification, and/or Licensure:

• Current specialty certification in one of the following:
• Advanced Proficiency Pathways Certification through the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
• Certified Brain Injury Specialist through the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA)
• Certified Lymphedema Therapist through the Lymphology Association of North America (LANA)

Core Duties and Responsibilities

The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned.

• Applies research and proven techniques to prevent or treat conditions that limit the body's ability to move and function in daily life by implementing the plan of care established by a physical therapist.
• As appropriate to setting, determines/ revises priorities for direct/ indirect patient care activities based on patient need and available resources; collaborates with nursing to update appropriate algorithms for safe patient handling.
• Instructs patient and caregiver in treatment programs, precautions and equipment use as necessary and documents patient/caregiver demonstration of instructions provided.
• Documents all treatments, according to department policies and procedures, as monitored by supervision of the patient's primary physical therapist.
• Submits accurate charges of services rendered for patients, according to departmental policies and procedures utilizing the billing system via the patient's EMR.
• Carries out oversight responsibilities to ensure supervision of students and volunteers.

For facilities with specialty accreditation requirements: Completion of annual required education related to specialty accreditation as defined by accreditation standards. Training may be completed through CBLs, trainings, In-services, and competency validation.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The national Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommends minimizing the need for employees to manually lift patients, and limit safe patient handling to 35 pounds. All transfers, lifts and re-positioning will be completed utilizing the lift equipment and/or other patient handling aids as indicated by the patient's profile and appropriate algorithms. Details specific to therapeutic interventions outlined in Safe Patient Mobility Policy where applicable.
• Heavy/Hard work: Work requires strength and/or stamina, lifting, moving, stooping, reaching, standing, walking, and carrying of materials and equipment weighing 40+lbs.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Working Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Exposure to communicable diseases, body fluids and different types of cleaning and laundry chemicals.

Skills and Abilities

Ability to organize and prioritize time and tasks to achieve a well-coordinated work effort and to effectively meet work schedules including an ability to integrate multiple factors which may have an impact on patient care.

The Physical Therapy Assistant Clinical Ladder is a system-wide clinical advancement program to enhance professional development, provide a reward system for quality clinical performance, promote quality rehab care, and improve job satisfaction for physical therapy assistants.

To apply for the next level, the physical therapy assistant must meet the requirements of their current level. They must also meet the required years of experience, degree, and certification to apply for the next level.

Level 1

· No experience required.

Level 2

· Meets requirements for previous level.

· One year of experience.

Level 3

· Meets requirements for previous levels.

· Four years of experience.

· Ten Level 3 Proficiencies.

· Five Level 3 Proficiencies required annually.

Level 4

· Meets requirements for previous levels.

· Eight years of experience.

· Ten Level 4 Proficiencies.

· Five Level 4 Proficiencies required annually.

· Professional Certification.

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40

Shift:

Exempt/Non-Exempt: United States of America (Non-Exempt)

Company: THOM Thomas Hospitals

Cost Center: 210 THOM Physical Therapy

Address: 4605 Maccorkle Ave SW South Charleston West Virginia

Equal Opportunity Employer

West Virginia University Health System and its subsidiaries (collectively "WVUHS") is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. WVUHS strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. All WVUHS employees, other workers, and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.