Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA)

Job Description

Job Description

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

At Aspire Senior Living , our mission is to transform lives through Accountability, Service, Passion, Integrity, Resilience, and Excellence . With an unwavering commitment to our residents and an employee-focused approach, we create a brighter future for our communities and empower our team to deliver exceptional care and support.

Aspire Senior Living Roaring River is seeking a compassionate and motivated Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) to join our Therapy team.

Working under the direction and supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist (PT), the PTA provides skilled rehabilitative services designed to help residents improve strength, balance, mobility, endurance, and functional independence.

The PTA plays an important role in implementing individualized treatment plans, encouraging residents throughout the rehabilitation process, monitoring progress, and helping residents work toward meaningful functional goals.

Whether it's helping someone walk more safely, regain strength following a hospitalization, reduce fall risk, or become more independent with everyday mobility, your work can make a meaningful difference.

Therapeutic Treatment & Resident Care

• Implement individualized physical therapy treatment plans established by the Physical Therapist.

• Guide residents through therapeutic exercises and functional activities designed to improve strength, balance, coordination, range of motion, endurance, and mobility.

• Provide hands-on assistance with therapeutic activities according to the established plan of care.

• Utilize therapeutic modalities and treatment techniques as directed by the Physical Therapist and within the PTA's scope of practice.

• Monitor resident tolerance and response throughout treatment sessions.

• Communicate changes in resident condition, performance, or functional abilities to the supervising Physical Therapist.

• Modify treatment activities within the established plan of care and applicable scope of practice.

Mobility, Gait & Functional Training

• Assist residents with gait training and functional mobility activities.

• Provide training with walkers, canes, wheelchairs, and other assistive devices as appropriate.

• Help residents improve transfer abilities, positioning, balance, and safe movement.

• Reinforce proper body mechanics and mobility techniques.

• Implement fall-prevention and safety strategies during therapy sessions.

• Promote resident independence while maintaining appropriate safety precautions.

Resident Progress & Clinical Monitoring

• Collect objective information and measurements as appropriate to monitor resident performance and progress.

• Observe gait, balance, mobility, strength, endurance, and other functional abilities.

• Monitor residents for changes in pain, tolerance, safety, or overall performance during treatment.

• Communicate observations and resident progress to the Physical Therapist.

• Assist the PT in gathering information necessary to support ongoing treatment planning and clinical decision-making.

Resident & Caregiver Education

• Educate residents and caregivers on therapeutic exercises, mobility techniques, and safety strategies according to the established treatment plan.

• Provide instruction regarding the appropriate use of assistive devices.

• Reinforce fall-prevention strategies and safe movement techniques.

• Provide education on positioning, body mechanics, and functional mobility.

• Reinforce home exercise programs developed by the Physical Therapist to promote continuity and carryover of therapy goals.

Documentation & Progress Reporting

• Complete accurate and timely documentation of treatment sessions.

• Document interventions provided, resident response, functional performance, and progress toward established goals.

• Record appropriate objective measurements and clinical observations.

• Maintain documentation according to professional, regulatory, payer, and facility requirements.

• Communicate relevant resident information and changes to the supervising Physical Therapist and interdisciplinary team.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Nursing, physicians, Social Services, and other members of the interdisciplinary team.

• Participate in care conferences and interdisciplinary meetings as appropriate.

• Communicate resident progress, mobility recommendations, and safety needs to appropriate team members.

• Support continuity of care throughout the resident's rehabilitation journey.

• Collaborate with residents and families to encourage participation and progress toward therapy goals.

• Perform other duties as assigned and within the PTA's scope of practice.

• Associate's degree from an accredited Physical Therapist Assistant program required.

• Current Missouri state licensure/certification as a Physical Therapist Assistant required.

• CPR certification required as applicable to facility/state requirements; BLS certification preferred.

• Previous experience in skilled nursing, long-term care, rehabilitation, senior living, or geriatric therapy preferred.

• New graduate PTAs may be considered based on community needs and applicable requirements.

• Knowledge of therapeutic exercise, gait training, mobility techniques, transfer training, and rehabilitation principles.

• Experience with therapeutic modalities and treatment techniques appropriate to the PTA scope of practice.

• Ability to implement treatment plans established by the Physical Therapist.

• Strong clinical observation and problem-solving abilities.

• Ability to recognize and communicate changes in resident condition or functional performance.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

• Ability to motivate and encourage residents throughout the rehabilitation process.

• Strong documentation and organizational skills.

• Experience with electronic medical records and therapy documentation systems preferred.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with an interdisciplinary rehabilitation team.

• Compassionate and positive approach to working with older adults.

• Commitment to resident safety, dignity, independence, autonomy, and person-centered care.

Progress in physical therapy can mean something different for every resident. It might be standing safely again, walking farther down the hallway, improving balance, transferring with less assistance, or gaining enough strength and confidence to return home.

As a Physical Therapist Assistant at Aspire Senior Living, you'll be there to encourage residents through those important milestones and celebrate their progress along the way.

We're looking for PTAs who bring clinical skill, positive energy, patience, teamwork, and compassion to every treatment session.

Apply Today and grow your therapy career with Aspire Senior Living!

Accountability. Service. Passion. Integrity. Resilience. Excellence.