Physical Therapist Assistant

Physical Therapist Assistant

Job Summary:

The Physical Therapist Assistant will help Physical Therapists provide physical therapy treatments and procedures.

The Physical Therapist Assistant may, in accordance with state laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Instructs, motivates, safeguards, and assists patients as they practice exercises or functional activities.
• Observes patients during treatments to compile and evaluate data on their responses and progress and provides results to the physical therapist in person or through progress notes.
• Confers with physical therapy staff and others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, and coordinating treatment. Communicates with and instructs caregivers and family members on patient therapeutic activities and treatment plans.
• Transports patients to and from treatment areas, lifting and transferring them according to positioning requirements. Secures patients into or onto therapy equipment.
• Administers active and passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, aquatic physical therapy, and heat, light, sound, and electrical modality treatments such as ultrasound.
• Measures patients' range-of-joint motion, body parts, and vital signs to determine effects of treatments or for patient evaluations.
• Monitors operation of equipment and records use of equipment and administration of treatment timely
• Fits patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, and supportive devices such as assistive devices.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Knowledge and skills to care for patient needs of the SNF population
• Must possess problem solving skills to successfully perform job
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong customer service orientation.
• Must be able to communicate effectively and professionally with other employees, patients, and family members
• Ability to travel as needed to perform job

Education and Experience:

• Associates degree from an accredited physical therapy program
• Current license from the state Board of Physical Therapy Examiners.
• Proficiency with all applicable state, federal, and professional standards

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of standing and walking.
• Requires lifting, positioning, pushing, and/or transferring patients.
• Frequent reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, and crouching.