Physical Therapist Assistant

POSITION SUMMARY:

Supervision

• Of their assigned areas to assure that their area is secure, orderly and organized at all times.
• Technicians to their area.
• Patients receiving treatment in their assigned areas.

Evaluations

• To practice Physical Therapy consistent with the APTA’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice and Standards of Practice Policy.
• To maintain a patient treatment schedule consistent with the needs of the department/facility under the supervision of the physical Therapist.
• To confer with the person or persons most closely associated with the active management of the patient and to keep them informed of any additional patient needs, treatment modification, and/or progress.

Treatment

• To treat patients and functions as a Staff Therapist as necessary.
• To treat patients of all ages (e.g. infants, children, adolescents, adults, geriatrics, elderly), race, creed, gender, and disability without bias or prejudice. Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the ages of the patients served within the department.
• Respects and understands the patient’s right to treatment and right to involvement in treatment decisions.
• Practices ethical responsibility based on the cultural, ethnic and religious beliefs of the patients served and applicable law.
• Under the supervision of the Physical Therapist, he or she is trained to perform certain physical therapy treatments. This position is one of considerable responsibility.
• Under the supervision of the Physical Therapist, he or she is trained to perform certain physical therapy treatments through with our HomeCare patients, and/or In/Out patient’s.

Records and Reports

• He or she would be responsible for bookkeeping procedures and charting of their assigned area, assuring confidentiality of all records.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Qualifications
• Associate degree in physical therapy or graduate from an accredited, Physical Therapy Assistant program.
• State of Iowa Licensure.
• Work experience
• One (1) year department/facility experience preferred; entry level acceptable if individual skills are above average,
• Education/Certifications/Licenses
• Associate degree in physical therapy or graduate from an accredited, Physical Therapist Assistant program.
• State of Iowa Licensure.
• Must maintain state of Iowa continuing education requirements.
• Must have verification card of current instruction in CPR.
• Valid Iowa Drivers License.
• Required Work Traits
• Must have coordination of sight and body movements in various applications of procedures, handling and assisting of patients, and ability to handle the tools and equipment of the profession.
• Must be able to apply the theory of Physical Therapy; have the ability and competency to operate the equipment of his or her position; perform technical procedures, speak intelligently and in a professional manner before others; supervision and management skills.
• Must be able to instill confidence in patients, doctors and personnel; determine proper procedures and methods and evaluate results; must make decisions on his or her own; adapt to emergency situation; alert to changes in the patient’s condition; alert to all activities of the department.
• Familiar with cleaning agents and methods; physical layout of the department/facility, techniques of handling patients; department/facility policies, procedures, and regulations; operation of department/facility.
• Must be willing to work under direction and take instructions; corrections; ability to reason; to remember patient names; details of instruction; must be alert, adaptable and flexible.
• To keep current and adhere to all policies and procedures as enumerated in the Policy and Procedures Manuals.
• To actively participate and adhere to all policies and procedures as enumerates in the risk management program.
• Communication Skills
• Has a major role in fostering good public relations
• A high degree of accuracy is required in carrying out prescriptions; in receiving and translating information in charting and reporting.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY REQUIREMENTS:

EQUIPMENT/TOOLS:

• Operate office equipment such as computers, printers, copy machine, calculator, facsimile, and scanners.
• Ability to understand oral and written instructions regarding set-up, operations of equipment, preparations of patients for treatment and other related activities.
• Must be able to apply the theory of Physical Therapy, have the ability and competency to operate the equipment of his or her position and profession.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Good physical stamina in this department/facility; fairly strong, energetic, much walking, standing, writing, stooping, carrying, talking, seeing, bending, handling, color vision, speed; healthy back is necessary; able to be on feet most of the day.

• Able to walk, stand, stoop, lift, balance, sit, kneel, hear, reach, pull, talk, see, turn, carry, push, handle, write. The degree to which any of these is done depends on the techniques being used.

• Thoughtful of others, gentle, courteous, patient, neat, well-groomed, healthy, friendly, average intelligence, good memory, tactful. Should have ability to organize his or her time in order to treat the maximum number of patients in the allotted working day.

• Conducts self with professional dignity, pleasant, tactful. Maintains optimum physical and emotional health; understands the importance of good human relations; able to motivate others; broad interest; possess strength of all extremities and back; initiative and good judgment; flexibility; enthusiasm; thoroughness.

• Works mostly inside under normal temperature conditions with adequate light, in a well-ventilated, clean area; some areas are limited in space, usually works around others; sometimes moderate noise. On occasion will need to take patients outside to work on uneven ground terrain. Will travel to patient homes during all seasons, including inclement weather.

• No unusual hazard risks. May be exposed to muscular strain in supporting, lifting, and assisting patients.

• Individual is considered at risk for experience to bloodborne pathogens, infections and infectious wastes, and minimal hazards; re: chemicals used for cleaning/sanitizing/disinfecting.

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Vision must be correctable to view computer screens and read printed information. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and ability to adjust focus.

Hearing must be in the normal range for telephone contacts and other conversations.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for this job. It is not intended to be a complete statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements.