Physical Therapist Assistant

Reports To: Physical Therapist and Director of Exceptional Children’s Program

Terms of Employment: Full Time 10 Months

Salary: NC State Salary Schedule

FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt

Qualifications:

• Completion of an accredited educational curriculum for physical therapist assistants and two years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Must be licensed as a physical therapist assistant in North Carolina

Supervises:

• None

Essential Job Functions:

An employee in this class assists a physical therapist with delivering therapy to students with physical handicaps. Employee works with therapist to develop or improve students’ underlying skills that are prerequisites for academic learning. Employee is responsible for adapting furniture, toys, clothes and equipment for use in therapy and for caring for materials and equipment used in therapy. Employee washes equipment, toys, mats, etc., with anti-bacterial soap between student’s uses to prevent the spread of disease. Employee also coordinates a feeding program for students in therapy, ensuring that teachers and cafeteria staff are aware of food allergies, special diets, etc., required by students. Employee generally monitors the safety and well-being of physical therapy students.

The following are examples of principle duties; however, any one position may not cover all duties listed and examples may not cover all duties an employee is expected to perform.

• Performs scheduled therapy activities under the direction of a therapist; assists students in preparation for physical therapy sessions, including obtaining and positioning proper equipment, transporting student to class, and assisting student in preliminary lifting and stretching exercises
• Monitors the safety and well-being of physical therapy students at all times; monitors student attitudes and encourages self-esteem; assists students with becoming increasingly independent
• Confers with parents, doctors, nurses, therapists, counselors, etc., to understand the needs of assigned students and to assist in provision of appropriate services
• Confers with physical therapists, administrators, teachers and parents to coordinate a feeding program for students; provides updated information to classroom teachers and cafeteria workers regarding food consistencies, allergies, prescriptions or special diets required by students
• Feeds students, as necessary, monitoring special diets; accompanies students to lavatories and assists as necessary; administers medicine
• Prepares and cares for materials and equipment used in therapy; maintains and issues supplies and specially adapted equipment, furniture, toys and clothing for use by students in therapy; washes all equipment, toys and mats with anti-bacterial cleaner between students’ use to prevent the spread of contagious diseases
• Performs general housekeeping duties; sets up various equipment each morning; puts equipment away at the end of the day; performs repair and maintenance tasks related to school and/or students’ personal equipment
• Performs various clerical duties as needed; maintains records of student progress and reviews with therapist; ensures availability of proper records for meetings with physicians, equipment specialists and others, as appropriate
• Participates in staff development workshops
• Completes random moment in time studies as required by MAC program guidelines
• Working knowledge of the theory and methods of physical therapy and their application
• Skill in modifying and constructing adaptive equipment and devices
• Skill in applying and using therapeutic equipment
• Ability to communicate with students, parents and teachers
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate records
• Performs other related work as required or assigned

Physical and Cognitive Requirements:

The major physical and cognitive requirements listed below are applicable to the Physical Therapist Assistant job classification within the Exceptional Children’s Program of Hoke County Schools. Work in this classification is considered light physical work requiring the exertion of up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects.

Must be able to:

• Prepare, read and comprehend a variety of job related forms, reports, spreadsheets, maps, plans, records, documentation and correspondence in all languages required by the job 
• Understand and conform to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction and style
• Speak to individuals or groups of people with poise, voice control and confidence
• Respond adequately to inquiries or complaints
• Write using standard convention in all languages required by the job
• Apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions
• Apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagrammatic form
• Communicate effectively and efficiently, both orally and in writing
• Use/interpret job related terminology, mathematical formulas and functions effectively and efficiently
• Deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions
• Perform under stress, deal with persons acting under stress and adapt when confronted with emergency situations
• Be sensitive to cultural differences among individuals and groups of persons
• Operate a motor vehicle
• Operate/use a variety of automated office machines and other job specific office equipment

DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all  responsibilities, duties and skills required of the position. All employees may have other duties assigned at any time.