Physical Therapy Assistant

Physical Therapy Aide

Duties include but are not limited to: The PTA's routine clinical activities are under the general supervision of a Licensed Physical Therapist. All therapy notes and consults generated by the PTA are reviewed and co-signed by the Licensed Physical Therapist. The PTA works under the authority and reports directly to the Supervisor, Physical Therapy Section. The completed work is reviewed periodically for appropriateness, conformance to the departmental therapy policies and requirements and effectiveness in meeting goals. The PTA is viewed as a clinician, whose skills are well beyond entry level competence, demonstrating the ability to perform with a high degree of autonomy. The PTA independently selects and adapts the procedures and techniques to be used, documents process and outcome in the patient's medical record and modifies programming based on the findings of the reassessment in accordance with previous training or accepted practices. The PTA independently makes recommendations regarding treatment or modifications to treatment plans and actively participates with physicians and nurses in planning rehabilitative treatment procedures. The PTA independently documents all patient care rendered and initiates consults for appropriate patient care equipment inherent to the physical therapy scope of practice. All patient care documentation and consults for equipment will be reviewed and co-signed by a licensed Physical Therapist.Establishes and maintains contact with other key staff involved in patient care via written, telephone and personal communication on regular basis at VA Medical Center and VISN level.Receives and interprets requests or instructions for procedures from the physical therapist or physician. Plans and implements specialized treatment programs and applies physical therapy procedures to patients under the general supervision of a physical therapist. Employee may carry out or oversee the work of lower graded assistants to accommodate requests.Completes a preliminary review/examination of patient data (including medical history), compiles and organizes pertinent information, and develops/presents a patient profile to be used in assessing patient's status.Assists therapist in development of a comprehensive specialized treatment plan that includes long- and short-term goals.Assists in the performance of, or independently performs, highly specialized and diversified treatment procedures.Modifies intervention environment, tools, materials, and activities in response to each veteran's response to treatment.Prepares and presents written and oral reports for the ward physician, physiatrist, nursing staff, fellow therapists and all other professionals concerned with the patient's care.Maintains a safe work environment to include non-technical maintenance of equipment, safety checks, cleaning, stocking, etc.Demonstrates and maintains full competency in the use, pre-cleaning and/or reprocessing of reusable medical equipment.Maintains a high level of competence through participation in continuing education programs.Completes the Minimum Data Set (MDS) or Functional Independence Measure (FIM) as required by policy.