PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSISTANT

SUMMARY: Within theframework of the objectives and policies established, provides patient servicesonly under Physical Therapist supervision as specified in plan of careproviding treatment, reassessment and related documentation and communication.Functions also include support staff training and supervision, and in-servicesand training for facility staff in patient care techniques, such as transfertraining and use of lifts.

Arbuckle Memorial Hospital has determined this is a safety-sensitiveposition. The tasks or duties assigned to this job could affect the safety andhealth of the employee or others.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have good understanding of state andfederal regulations of physical therapy
• Must be able to move intermittently throughoutthe work day. Aerobic energy requirements are high
• Instruct patient and family in treatment planand expected outcome
• Integrate physical medicine with the medicalprocess and goals
• Customer service abilities including effectivelistening skills
• Critical thinking skills, decisive judgment andability to work with minimal supervision in a fast paced environment
• Knowledgeable about manual therapy techniques,physical agents and mechanical modalities, wound management, gait training, andbalance training
• Knowledgeable of therapeutic exercises
• Maintain discretion and confidentiality incommunications
• Knowledgeable about policies and proceduresregarding reporting and release of protected health information (PHI)
• Supervise students in patient care relatedactivities

ESSENTIAL DUTIES ANDRESPONSIBILITIES:

• Observe and support all hospital policies
• Follow established treatment plans developed byPhysical Therapist
• Treat patients in a timely and professionalmanner
• Communicate with supervisor and other healthteam members regarding patient progress, problems and plans
• Must be able to relate to and work with ill,disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at times, hostile people within thefacility
• Functional training in self-care and homemanagement
• Functional training in community and workintegration
• Educate patient in the appropriate use ofassistive devices
• Instruct aides (nursing) or nurse staff indirect patient care related activities
• Record clinical documentation according toaccepted regulatory and professional guidelines
• Maintain other business records as required
• Participate in in-service training as required
• Participate actively in quality improvementprograms
• Secure necessary durable medical equipment andadaptive equipment for patients to facilitate independence
• Perform preventive maintenance checks and reportany problems to appropriate personnel
• Identify patient needs specifically related toage or developmental stage and address those needs in coordination withPhysical Therapist
• Maintain acceptable standards of patienttreatment
• Maintains a professional approach withconfidential hospital and patient information and ensures safe patientenvironment
• Supports and enforces infection control policiesand procedures
• Participates in hospital safety programs
• Observes and supports hospital policy
• Works with confidential hospital and patientinformation and ensures safe patient environment
• Acts as a member of the hospital anddepartmental team
• Participates as an active member of the hospitaland departmental team to support special projects and activities
• Keep work area clean and orderly
• Miscellaneous duties as assigned requested orrequired
• Maintain certifications and continuing educationrequirements needed to perform job

EDUCATION and/orEXPERIENCE:

• Current state licensure as a physical therapistassistant
• Associate degree in physical therapy
• 1 year experience, preferred

LANGUAGE/READING SKILLS:

• Communicate verbally and in writing in English.Legible hand writing is required

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

• Basic statistical concepts

REASONING ABILITY: Responds to unusual or varied situations that are not covered by existingstandards, procedures and precedents.


WORK ENVIRONMENT: Regularlyrequired to stand, walk, sit, ascend and descend stairs, possess ability tohandle, finger or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms.High risk environment for exposure to blood and bodily fluids.

Must be able to lift 25pounds from the floor to waist and may occasionally be required to lift 50pounds from the floor to waist level. Specific vision abilities include closevision and the ability to clearly focus vision.