Therapy - PTA

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

This position is responsible for the evaluation, planning, administration, and supervision of Physical Therapy treatment in accordance with physician referral, state and national organizational standards, regulatory agencies, and established departmental policies and procedures. This position demonstrates the clinical competence and knowledge necessary to provide treatment appropriate to the age of the patients served. Evaluates patient's functional abilities and limitations. Determines if intervention is needed. Establishes a plan of care and treatment goals. Completes comprehensive evaluation within the established time frame set by the department. Identifies and prioritizes key limiting factors. Establishes treatment goals that are functional, measurable, patient-related, and reflective of the key limiting factors. Collaborates with patient and family/caregiver when setting goals. Initiates discharge planning. Recommends additions to or modifications of referring orders. Implements individualized treatment plans with consideration to the patient's physical, social, spiritual, cultural, educational, and age-specific needs. Provides skilled treatment in a safe manner. Assesses ongoing effectiveness of treatment and modifies the plan of care as indicated. Involves patient and family/caregiver in the treatment and decision-making process. Provides ongoing education to physicians, nurses, patients, family/caregivers, and interdisciplinary teams. Documents according to professional practice guidelines set by regulatory agencies. Documents legibly. Completes documentation within established time frames of the department. Documents evidence-based and individualized treatment techniques/plans. Documentation reflects skilled intervention and comprehensive assessment of the patient's progress or lack of progress. Treatment goals are reassessed according to department policies. Communicates pertinent patient information to ensure the best possible follow-through of care. Communicates evaluation/treatment results and patient progress to physicians, nurses, patients, family/caregivers, and interdisciplinary teams. Communicates in a clear and timely manner. Accepts responsibility to contact physicians for routine or difficult problem-solving to ensure optimal patient outcomes. Defends treatment rationale with standard practices and/or current literature. Exhibits adaptability in assignments as related to caseload, scheduling, and staffing shifts. Takes initiative to assist in other patient care areas and accepts responsibility for all patient care needs. Demonstrates appropriate supervision and delegation of personnel to achieve safe delivery of quality, cost-effective patient care. Supervision and delegation of the PTA, Therapy Technician, and students comply with departmental policies and regulatory agencies. Participates in the training and orientation of new personnel. Assures competency of personnel prior to delegation of tasks. Attends department-required meetings and/or follows up to obtain pertinent information. Participates in departmental/facility process improvement. Meets productivity standards set by the department. Interacts with all levels of staff in a variety of departments, physicians, patients, families, and external contacts concerning the health care of the patient. Also interacts with physician offices in order to report, request, or clarify information.