PT Aide

Physical Therapy Aide

The role of the Physical Therapy Aide is a crucial part of the physical therapy team, helping physical therapists deliver quality care to their patients. They work behind the scenes, in hands on projects, and are coordinators of all things physical therapy. The physical therapy office runs more smoothly and effectively with an organized physical therapy aide.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The key duties and responsibilities of the PT Aide include, but are not limited to:

• Use of therapeutic modalities, such as cold/hot pack application, ultrasound, electrical stimulation application, paraffin bath, fluid therapy or compression pump application
• Working knowledge of exercise equipment such as the shuttle, EFX, various stationary bikes, upper body ergometer treadmill, fitter or SABA pulleys
• Instruct, motivate, safeguard and assist patients practicing exercises as directed by medical staff.
• Observe patients during treatment and report on patients' responses and progress to physical therapist.
• Assisting patients in setting exercise equipment, use of dumbbells, thera-band, etc.
• Help patients move from one area of therapy to another Aides are there to help patients walk, push them in wheelchairs, or assist in sitting and standing.
• Transcribing information in the charts (checking off the exercise flow sheet by recording reps/weights, writing the name/date/ICD-10 code on billing sheets after the initial evaluation of the patient and other pertinent activities as deemed necessary.

Clinical Duties

• Prepare for upcoming therapy sessions by organizing the treatment locations based on the patient's needs
• Perform laundry duties in accordance with the procedures outlined in the infection control manual. Wash, dry, and fold
• Clean and disinfect treatment tables in between patient use
• Stock carts with towels, pillowcases, etc.
• Clean the exercise equipment at least once a day and more frequently as warranted,
• Assist with the tidiness of the clinic as needed to include emptying trash, vacuuming, straightening up the waiting room and other duties as deemed necessary.

Office Duties

• Answering phones/how to operate the phones
• Take a referral, and schedule patients
• Take co-payments and fulfill patient supply order,
• Locate charts and necessary paper work is located,
• Make up a new chart

Miscellaneous

• Check in with other team members for any needed side work
• Complete inspection sheets
• Participate in conferences and educational programs designed to improve patient care and staff performance (health and exercise programs for employees).
• Complete duties and assist others as directed
• Must follow all policies as introduced during new associate On-Boarding, updated real-time and outlined in Associate Handbook

Education/Experience

• High School Diploma or the Equivalent is required
• Must be 18 years of age
• Previous experience in a medical and/or therapy setting is a plus

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to complete required on the job training
• Ability to multi-task, combining clerical skills with some hands on medical oriented and interpersonal patient tasks
• Organizational skills and the ability to be both reliable and flexible are essential
• Ability to be tactful and compassionate with keen listening skills
• Sense of altruism, emphasizing to patients how attention is focused on helping them to feel better

Work Environment/Physical Demands

The work environment/physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a teammate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable differently abled persons to perform the essential functions.