Physical Therapy Assistant

Job Description

Job Description

Brief Summary

Performs selected patient treatments under the general supervision of the Staff Physical Therapy or Department Manager or designee. PT Assistant has the overall direction, utilization, supervision, instruction, and evaluation of support staff, volunteers, and students working in the department. Assistant also prepares patients and equipment for treatments; helps perform the housekeeping duties of the department and performs other diverse duties as requested or required.

Essential Functions :

1. Aids in the care and safety of patients. Performs regularly every hour.

2. Prepares equipment for patient treatments as requested by the Physical Therapist to relieve the Physical Therapist to perform other professional duties. Performs daily.

3. Performs housekeeping duties in assigned areas by routine and periodic cleaning; maintains order and cleanliness throughout the department / facility. Performs daily.

4. Assists Physical Therapist in selected procedures, according to the Physical Therapist’s directions, by checking patient and equipment during treatment for comfort and safety; aids in patient care in the department. Performs regularly every hour.

5. Responsible for bookkeeping procedures and charting of the assigned area, ensuring confidentiality of all records.

6. Under the supervision of the Physical Therapist, performs certain Physical Therapy treatments.

7. Therapy staff providing care for Joint Replacement patients will receive 2 hours of ortho / joint replacement-specific education yearly.

Additional Functions :

1. Performs other duties as required or requested, e.g., opening the department in the mornings, ordering and putting away clean linen, puts supplies in their proper place. Performs daily and weekly

2. Keeps current on and adheres to policies and procedures as enumerated in the Policy and Procedures Manual of the department and hospital district.

3. Actively participates in and adheres to all policies and procedures as enumerated in the r risk management program.

Job Relationships :

Reports to the Director of Rehabilitation Services.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience :

Associate degree in Physical Therapy or graduate from an accredited Physical Therapist Assistant program, or have qualified to challenge the California board.

Current California Physical Therapist Assistant License from the State of California.

Current CPR certification.

Prefer one year of clinical experience. Entry level is acceptable if skills are above average.

Must be familiar with cleaning agents and methods; physical layout of the department; techniques of handling patients; policies, procedures, and regulations; operations of department equipment; knowledge of physical therapy treatment techniques, general anatomy, physiology, physics, medical science, and other areas.

Must be able to apply the theory of physical therapy; have the ability and competency to operate the necessary equipment; perform technical procedures; speak intelligently and in a professional manner before others; have supervision and management skills.

Must have skill in techniques of handling patients, for patients and own protection; efficiently assists patients.

Age of the Population Served :

Infants, children, adolescents, adults, and geriatrics.

Physical / Mental Requirements :

1. Must be able to instill confidence in patients, doctors, and personnel; determine proper procedures and methods and evaluate results; make decisions independently; adapt to emergencies; be alert to changes in the patient’s condition; be alert to all activities of the department.

2. Must be willing to work under direction and take instructions and corrections; have the ability to reason and remember names and details of instructions; be alert, adaptable, and flexible.

3. Must have coordination of sight and body movements in various applications of procedures; know techniques of assisting and handling patients; be able to handle the tools and machines of the profession.

4. Must have good physical stamina; be fairly strong and energetic; able to tolerate much walking, standing, writing, stooping, carrying, talking, seeing, bending, and handling; have good color vision, speed, and a healthy back; able to be on feet most of the day.

5. Must be able to lift 50 lbs. floor to knuckle, 4 repetitions; balance, sit kneel, hear, reach, pull, turn, carry, push. The degree to which any of these is done depends on the techniques being used.