Physical Therapy Assistant

Physical Therapy Assistant

New England Homes for the Deaf, founded in 1901, is a life plan community that offers a continuum of care to Deaf, Deafblind, and hard of hearing seniors, including independent living, rest home, skilled nursing community, Deaf senior centers, short-term rehabilitation services, respite care services and hospice care. The New England Homes for the Deaf mission is to provide long term healthcare, housing, recreational activities and social support for Deaf, Deafblind and hard of hearing individuals in an accessible, barrier-free, and culturally sensitive environment with optimal communication and architectural resources.

Responsibilities:

• Per diem physical therapy assistant.
• Conduct thorough assessments to evaluate the physical needs and abilities of patients.
• Develop and implement personalized treatment plans to enhance mobility, functional independence, and overall well-being of patients.
• Utilize standardized assessments and clinical observations to determine patients' strengths, limitations, and areas for intervention.
• Administer tests and apply evaluation techniques to determine functional status and identify therapy needs.
• Analyze evaluation results and design a therapy program to meet the needs of the patient.
• Implement an individualized therapy plan of care.
• Evaluate need for therapy equipment and assistive devices. Instruct patients, caregivers, and support personnel in use and care of assistive devices and equipment.
• Evaluate and reports patient progress to treatment team, caregiver(s), and supervisor as necessary.
• Provide hands-on physical therapy interventions, exercises, and modalities.
• Adhere to department documentation guidelines.
• Participate in department quality improvement initiatives.
• Successfully completes ongoing mandatory educational and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with team members (Occupational Therapist and Speech-Language Pathologist) to ensure coordinated and comprehensive care.
• Educate short-term rehab individuals and their families on therapeutic exercises and strategies for ongoing care.
• Strongly communicate with other members of the New England Homes for the Deaf team and outside providers as appropriate and necessary, to ensure comprehensive interdisciplinary care.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in accordance with regulatory standards.
• Perform additional duties, as assigned by the CEO.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of professional therapy principles, practices, concepts, and procedures as applied to the care of the patient population.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Capable of prioritizing and triaging priorities.
• Able to provide clear and meaningful feedback to patients and caregiver(s).
• Understands and maintains confidentiality and complies with HIPAA and FERPA guidelines for patients and employees.
• Proficient in Microsoft 365 and applicable electronic health record documentation.

Physical Requirements:

• Uses hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Stands for long periods of time while examining patients.
• Able to consistently lift (including patient transfers) 40 pounds multiple times throughout the day while utilizing proper body mechanics.

General Requirements:

• A bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degree from an accredited program.
• An attitude of respect and compassion towards all residents and staff.
• Pleasant personality and ability to maintain a calm demeanor during excitable or emergency situations.
• Willingness to learn American Sign Language (ASL).
• All staff are required to take our free, on-site ASL and Deaf Culture classes.

Benefits:

• Sick days - In compliance with Massachusetts Mandatory Sick Time Law (2015). You will receive one hour of earned Sick time for every 30 hours worked; up to 40 hours per year. This may be less in the year of hire.

A background check report may be obtained for employment purposes. The background check may show criminal records.