Description

Purpose of Your Job Position

The primary purpose of your job position is to assist the Physical Therapist in planning, directing, and administering the Physical Therapy Services in the facility in accordance with current applicable federal, state and local standards, guidelines and regulations, and as may be directed by the Administrator, to assure that the highest degree of quality resident care can be maintained at all times.

 

Delegation of Authority

As a Physical Therapist Assistant with an associates degree from an APTA accredited program, you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

 

Job Functions

Every effort has been made to make your job description as complete as possible.  However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is a logical assignment to the position.

 

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Administrative Functions    
 

Assist the Physical Therapist in the planning, development, organization, evaluation, and directing of Physical therapy activities, in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern the long-term care facility.    
 

Maintain departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance program, safety, environmental and infection control.    
 

Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, studies, charting, etc., as necessary.    
 

Participate in discharge planning, development and implementation of resident care plans, resident assessments, etc., as necessary.    
 

Assist in developing and maintaining Physical therapy standards.    
 

Meet with administration, medical and nursing staff, as well as other related departments in planning therapy services.    
 

Interpret Physical therapy policies and procedures to personnel, residents, family members, etc., as necessary.    
 

Assist in instructing resident and family members in home programs as well as care and use of adaptive equipment.    
 

Assist in maintaining files of residents receiving Physical therapy.    
 

Maintain treatment records, resident files, and progress notes as required.    
 

Work with facility's consultants as necessary and implement recommended changes as required.    
 

Ensure business office receives charges for therapy services rendered to residents.    
 

Assist in standardizing the methods in which Physical therapy will be accomplished.    
 

Maintain an adequate liaison with families and residents.    

    

Committee Functions    

Serve on, participate in, and/or attend various committees of the facility as required.    
 

    
Personnel Functions    

Provide guidance and training for new and/or less experienced personnel.    
 

Maintain an excellent working relationship with the medical profession and other health related facilities and organizations.    
 

Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the department.    
 

Maintain a good working rapport with inter-department personnel, as well as other departments within the facility to assure that services can be properly maintained to meet the needs of the residents.    

    

Therapy Functions    

Assist Physical Therapist in therapy activities.    
 

Assist in interviewing residents to assess functional skills and capacities and determine extent of abilities and limitations.    
 

Assist in determining appropriate treatment, selecting activities and exercises based on medical and social history of residents and therapist of record treatment plan.    
 

Assist in scheduling therapy services.    
 

Assist residents in functional mobility training as necessary.    
 

Demonstrate to residents and staff personnel, as necessary, the procedures involved in the treatment process.    
 

Recommend to Physical Therapist modifications to the resident's therapy treatment as indicated.    
 

Alert physical therapist to any changes in patient’s medical condition or functional progress.    
 

Assist in transporting resident to and from Physical therapy room/area.    
 

Perform Physical therapy in the resident's room if necessary.    
 

Instruct and supervise resident during therapy session.    
 

Reassure resident before and during therapy session.    
 

Assist in identifying adaptive equipment needed.  (i.e.. Ambulatory devices)    
 

Provide progress notes that are informative and descriptive of the care provided and of the resident's response to the care.    
 

Participate in the development and implementation of resident assessments (MDS) and care plans, including quarterly and annual reviews.    
 

Promote participation in individual and group recreational activities.    

    

Staff Development    

Participate in programs designed for in-service education and on-the-job training.     
 

Attend and participate in workshops, seminars, etc., to keep abreast of current changes in your field, as well as to build skills and enhance growth and development.    
 

Participate in departmental studies and projects as assigned or that may become necessary.    
 

    

Safety and Sanitation    

Be knowledgeable of safety standards for the Rehab department.    
 

Be alert for resident safety during any/all therapy.    
 

Comply with the facility's established safety precautions at all times.    
 

Follow established infection control procedures and universal precautions when performing duties.    
 

Assure that the therapy area is maintained in a clean and safe manner for resident comfort and convenience by assuring that necessary equipment and supplies are maintained to perform such duties/services.    
 

Follow reporting procedures when observing any hazardous conditions or equipment.    
 

Follow established departmental policies and procedures at all times, including appropriate dress code.    
 

Assist in identifying departmental procedures that involve exposure to blood or body fluids.    
 

Wear personal protective clothing when performing services that involve potential exposure to blood or body fluids.    
 

    

Equipment and Supply Functions    

Provide necessary material/equipment for resident to perform required therapy.    
 

Assist with the care and maintenance of department equipment and supplies.    
 

Report any inventory, equipment, or supply needs to department supervisor.    
 

Utilize all department equipment and supplies in an efficient manner that promotes desired therapy outcomes and minimizes waste.    
 

Operate Rehab therapy equipment in a safe manner.    
 

    

Care Plan and Assessment Functions    

Assure that Physical Therapy activities and procedures are those indicated in the care plan for the resident.  Advise department supervisor of any need to adjust therapy plan to match or support stated care plan goals.    
 

Assist and participate in resident assessment activities as necessary.    
 

Assist in developing Physical Therapy plans for individual residents in coordination and conjunction with the resident assessment MDS).    
 

Assure that care plans follows goals determined by patient and Physical Therapist.    
 

    

Resident Rights    

Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information.    
 

Be knowledgeable of the residents' rights and responsibilities.    
 

Report any complaints or grievances to the department supervisor.    
 

Ensure that resident's right to fair and equitable treatment, self determination, individuality, privacy, property and civil rights, including the right to wage a complaint, are well established and maintained at all times.    
 

Abide by the resident's decision whether or not to participate in treatment.    
 

Inform the resident of consequences of not participating in prescribed therapy and document such action in the resident's clinical record.    
 

Allow the resident to participate in the planning and scheduling of his or her treatment.    
 

Treat all residents fairly, and with kindness, dignity, and respect.    
 

Knock before entering the resident's room.    
 

Report and investigate all allegations of resident abuse and/or misappropriation of resident property.    
 

Honor the resident's refusal of treatment request.  Ensure that such requests are in accordance with the facility's policy governing advance directives.    

 

Working Conditions                                             

Works in office areas, therapy rooms, resident rooms, etc.

Sits, stands, bends, lifts and moves intermittently during working hours.

Is subject to frequent interruptions.

Is involved with physicians, residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.

Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel, and visitors.

Communicates with the medical staff, nursing personnel, and other department supervisors.

Works beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary, as well as in other positions as needed.

Must be constantly alert for resident safety.

Attends and participates in continuing educational programs as may be required by current regulations.

Is subject to fall, burns from equipment, odors, assaults from hostile residents, etc., throughout the work day.

Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including TB and the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.

Is subject to lifting, carrying and supporting residents.

Maintains a liaison with the residents, their families, other departments, etc., to adequately plan for the resident's Physical therapy needs.

 

Qualifications

Educational Requirements                                   

Must possess an Associate Degree from an accredited program conferring the title of Physical Therapist Assistant.

 

Experience                                                           

Can be a new graduate or preferably have 1-2 year(s) of experience in a therapist capacity in a hospital, skilled nursing care facility, or other related medical facility.

Must have training in rehabilitative and restorative therapy practices.

 

Specific Requirements                                         

Must possess a current registration with the State of Connecticut.

Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.

Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.

Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and general public.

Must be knowledgeable of Physical therapy procedures.

Must possess leadership and supervisory ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with professional and non-professional personnel.

Must possess the ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies, procedures, etc., of the Physical therapy service.

Must maintain the care and use of supplies, equipment, etc., and maintain the appearance of therapy areas.

Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm as well as be willing to handle residents based on whatever maturity level in which they are currently functioning.

Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing nursing practices.

Must be able to relate information concerning a resident's condition.

Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.

 

Physical and Sensory Requirements

(With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)

Must be able to move intermittently throughout the work day.

Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner.

Must be able to cope with the mental, emotional, and physical stress of the position.

Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to assure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.

Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, support agencies, and outside agencies.

Must be in good general health and demonstrate emotional stability.

Must be able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and, at times, hostile people within the facility.

Must be able to lift, push, pull, and move a minimum of    50    pounds.

Must be able to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.

Must be willing to perform tasks that may involve exposure to the resident's blood/body fluids.