Physical Therapy Assistant- PAH

Physical Therapist Assistant

This Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) provides Physical Therapy services under the direction of a Physical Therapist according to the attending physician's Plan of Care. As a member of the multi-disciplinary team, the therapist assumes responsibility for communication of client related issues for appropriate team members or other facility/agency staff and participates in the collection and evaluation of data necessary to assess the appropriateness of care at home. The PTA works with the clients and family in the home setting without direct supervision.

Position Specific Responsibilities

• Demonstrates competency in providing quality therapy services including intervention, implementation of the treatment plan established by the PT, related documentation and communication with clients and PT on a frequent basis.
• Also demonstrates competency with identifying and making appropriate referrals regarding medical, social and emotional factors influencing care.
• Communicate with the multidisciplinary team to form a collaborative client care plan.
• Provides care in accordance with physician orders and the established plan of care.
• Assesses the effectiveness of treatment and notifies PT if treatment needs to be modified to achieve goals.
• Documents all treatment and coordination of care contacts in appropriate facility/agency format.
• Meets agency time guidelines for completing documentation.
• Documentation reflects good clinical documentation as well as meeting agency billing and reimbursement requirements.
• Produces expected results given present skills, knowledge, abilities, training and education for the following age groups: neonate, pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric.
• Demonstrates an ability to treat the wide range of diagnoses and be knowledgeable in therapy treatments, goals and contraindications for treatment.
• Treatments are adapted to the unique home setting and to the client and/or caregiver's ability to follow through safely and correctly.
• Request consultation supervision or continuing education when appropriate, to learn specialized techniques or treatment approaches.
• Communicates pertinent medical and clinical information to the interdisciplinary team, including information regarding the client's care plan, implementation of changes per physician order and assuring adequate medical follow-up.
• Also communicates pertinent information to team members, supervisor, facility/agency staff and external sources as appropriate.
• Plans for discharge.
• Participates in team reassessments and discharge planning.
• Teaches client or family discharge therapy program.
• Recommends and facilitates appropriate medical and/or rehabilitation followed up once Home Services/Home Infusion/Hospice services have been discontinued.
• Assists in obtaining adaptive equipment.
• Fabricates adaptive equipment as needed.
• Adapts equipment and techniques for use to the home setting assuring optimum function and safety.
• Provides consultation or makes appropriate referrals regarding resources and barriers in the community.
• Independently manages case load under supervision of a physical therapist, plans and schedules home visits coordinating with other team members as needed to maximize effectiveness of overall care plan.
• Organizes weekly schedule to attend required meetings within schedule of client care needs.
• Responds to urgent client needs by prioritizing and triaging treatments.
• Communicates schedule and work plan to scheduling coordinator, supervisor and other team members as appropriate.
• Organizes and coordinates transfer of client information when additional complementary therapies are requested and when client care is provided by another clinical facility/agency.
• Educates facility/agency staff, hospital staff and community resources regarding therapy services for home care/hospice clients in the home.
• Demonstrates a working knowledge of home care/hospice nursing, MSW, volunteer, chaplain, HHA, and other rehabilitation disciplines in order to make appropriate referrals for those services.
• Provides consultation regarding PTA services to other disciplines, as needed or as requested.
• Participates in agency in-service programs and community continuing education needed to remain clinically current in treatment techniques.
• Completes documentation on the day of the visit per the agency time guidelines for completing documentation.
• Meets agency productivity standards established for therapy.
• Uses time efficiently and effectively.
• Attends required team meetings.
• Participates in agency committees as assigned by supervisor.
• Participate in facility/agency program planning, gives input to program policy discussions particularly in those areas impacting client care.
• Participates in the orientation of new facility/agency staff members by orienting them to the unique clinical practice of their discipline in the home setting.
• When providing services for clients in settings other than a private home (ie, Adult Family Home or Nursing Home) or coordinates care, provides consultation and training, and meets additional documentation requirements specific to that setting.
• Follows facility/agency communication Policies and Procedures for voicemail, reporting schedules and schedule changes, responding to pagers and notification of information to supervisor and others.
• Complies with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and requirements as well as facility/agency specific policies and procedures, including PACE regulatory requirements if applicable.
• Maintain confidentiality of all client demographics, medical and financial information at all times.
• Maintain confidentiality of all company and client information.
• Ensure proper handling and disposal of confidential documents and adheres to all HIPAA rules and regulations.
• Adheres to all policies and procedures including regulatory requirements with regard to infection control, practicing universal precautions, sanitation, and safety and disaster preparedness.

Education and/or Experience

• Required - Associate degree in Physical Therapy from an institution of higher learning accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
• Preferred - 1 year of Physical Therapy Assistant experience in a home care or rehabilitation setting.

Skills

• Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percentage.
• Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from leaders, team members, investors, and external parties. Strong written and verbal communications.
• Requires ability to communicate in English effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Other Skills and Abilities: Ability to understand, read, write, and speak English. Articulates and embraces integrated healthcare at home philosophy.
• Ability to follow appropriate communications channels.
• Demonstrates competency by maintaining positive, collaborative, and constructive interpersonal relationships.
• Understands and practices the principles of effective teamwork.
• Demonstrates ability to prioritize work assignments and meet productivity and quality standards.
• Adapts easily to changes in work assignments and environment, is willing to assume additional responsibility and learn new procedures.
• Effective organizational skills.

Certifications, Licenses, and Registrations

• Required - Current, unencumbered (State Employed) License as a Physical Therapy Assistant
• Preferred within 30 days of hire - National Provider BLS - American Heart Association (Vendor Managed)
• AK: Required upon request - Driving may be necessary as part of this role. Caregivers are required to comply with all state laws and requirements for driving. Caregivers will be expected to provide proof of driver license and auto insurance upon request. See policy for additional information.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The demands of this role necessitate a team member to effectively perform essential functions. Adaptations can be made to accommodate team members with disabilities. Regular standing, walking, and manual dexterity are fundamental, along with the ability to lift and move objects up to 50 pounds. Visual acuity requirements include close and distance vision, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. In a healthcare setting, exposure to bodily fluids, infectious diseases, and conditions typical to the field is expected. Routine use of standard medical equipment and tools associated with clinical care is essential. This description provides a general overview and may vary by role and department, capturing the nuanced demands and conditions inherent to clinical positions in our organization.

At Compassus, diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to our Pillars of Success. We are committed to creating a fair work environment where our team members feel welcomed, highly valued, and respected. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

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