Physical Therapy Assistant

General Purpose:

Physical Therapy Assistants are certified/licensed professionals who evaluate, plan, direct and administer medically prescribed Physical Therapy programs to restore function and prevent disability following disease or injury or loss of body part under the direction and supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist

Essential Functions:

• Provides Physical Therapy services to patients under the direct supervision of a Physical Therapist designated by the client facility, in accordance with state
• Assists Physical Therapist to assess patient to determine problems and goals of each patient in cooperation with
• Assists with development of effective treatment program based on initial evaluation and treats patients accordingly as approved by the Physical Therapist and
• Performs periodic assessment of the patient as necessary and makes adjustments in the patient's treatment program as directed by Physical Therapist and
• Responsible for reporting on the condition of patient/client to the appropriate supervisor and other staff members. Coordinate and assist with care as
• Communicates evaluation findings, treatment program and guidance in daily living to patients, family, and other team
• Assists Physical Therapist to provide adaptive devices, orthotics or
• Assists with training patient, family and appropriate staff in the use or application of crutches, canes, walkers and in the application of slings, braces and other prosthetic or orthotic
• Maintains patient records that reflect patient treatment: (Evaluation, daily treatment record, physician update, patient care plans, discharge summaries, telephone orders, billing).
• Clinical knowledge and skill, or ability to develop knowledge and skills required for evaluation and treatment of pediatric and adolescent patient
• Ability to travel between facilities or other treatment locations as
• Responsible for performing tasks that are within the scope of his/her educational preparation, knowledge, and permitted by the policies and procedures of Pediatric Therapy of Aiken, and other local, state, and federal guidelines; and the policies of the facility requesting the
• Participate in multidisciplinary rounds/meetings and in-services as needed

Minimum Requirements

• Education: Graduate from an accredited Physical Therapy Assistant program, Associates degree
• Licensing: Current state licensure or license eligible in states where applicable; or certification as a physical therapy assistant/technician as determined by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
• Training and experience: Unless otherwise indicated, one year of current experience within the last three years in a comparable job classification
• Maintenance of current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for HealthCare Workers or Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification for HealthCare workers
• Educated on and compliant with HIPAA regulations; maintains strict confidentiality of client
• Complies with Infection Control, Standard Precautions and OSHA standards for the healthcare
• Able to wear personal protective equipment (e.g., face mask, goggles, latex/non-latex gloves) as needed
• Ability to work effectively within role independently for 45-60min sessions, up to six to eight patients per day.
• Ability to organize and complete work in a timely manner
• Ability to read, write and effectively communicate in English
• Ability to understand medical/surgical terminology
• Health Requirements- In good health and able to work without restrictions as evidenced by Health statement
• Physical Demands-Stooping, turning, bending, squatting, kneeling and the ability to lift up to 50 pounds; constant/repetitive standing; requires normal, correctable vision and hearing, and the ability to accurately discern color as necessary to perform job functions
• Sufficient fine and gross motor coordination to manipulate/operate equipment controls and to perform manual treatment/assessment techniques including, but not limited to, massage, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, stretching, neuromuscular re-education, goniometry, and manual muscle
• Maintain and clean supplies, equipment and other therapy areas
• Perform other relevant duties and responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor

Must have the use of sensory skills in order to effectively communicate and interact with others through the use of the telephone and personal contact as normally defined by the ability to see, read, talk, hear, handle or feel objects and controls. Standing, walking, sitting, stooping, kneeling, bending, and crouching are regularly required of the position. The employee is required to have visual and hearing acuity sufficient enough to assess patient safety and ability. Capable of exerting 20-50 pounds of force occasionally (less than 1/3 of the time) and/or 10-20 pounds of force frequently (1/2 of the time) and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly (2/3 or more of the time) to move objects, equipment and/or perform medium to maximum transfer assists with patients.

The above statements reflect the general details necessary to describe the principal functions of the job as identified and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all work requirements that may be inherent in the position.