Physical Therapy Assistant

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:

1. Current or temporary physical therapy assistant licensure in the applicable state where services will be performed:

MD:  Physical Therapy Assistant LicenseORPhysical Therapy Assistant Temporary License through Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners OR Physical Therapy Assistant Compact License

OH:   Physical Therapy AssistantLicense through Ohio Occupational Therapy,Physical Therapy, and Athletic Training BoardOR Physical Therapy Assistant Compact License

PA:  Physical Therapy AssistantLicense OR Temporary Physical Therapy Assistant License through Pennsylvania State Board of Physical TherapyOR Physical Therapy Assistant Compact License

WV:Physical Therapy AssistantLicense through West Virginia Board of Physical TherapistsOR Physical Therapy Assistant Compact License

2. Obtain certification in Basic Life Support within 30 days of hire date.

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position.  They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties.  Other duties may be assigned.

1. Applies research and proven techniques to prevent or treat conditions that limit the body's ability to move and function in daily life by implementing the plan of care established by a physical therapist.
2. As appropriate to setting, determines/ revises priorities for direct/ indirect patient care activities based on patient need and available resources; collaborates with nursing to update appropriate algorithms for safe patient handling.
3. Instructs patient and caregiver in treatment programs, precautions and equipment use as necessary and documents patient/caregiver demonstration of instructions provided.
4. Documents all treatments, according to department policies and procedures, as monitored by supervision of the patient’s primary physical therapist.
5. Submits accurate charges of services rendered for patients, according to departmental policies and procedures utilizing the billing system via the patient’s EMR.
6. Carries out oversight responsibilities to ensure supervision of students and volunteers.

For facilities with specialty accreditation requirements:

1. Completion of annual required education related to specialty accreditation as defined by accreditation standards.  Training may be completed through CBLs, trainings, In-services, and competency validation.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. The national Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommends minimizing the need for employees to manually lift patients, and limit safe patient handling to 35 pounds.  All transfers, lifts and re-positioning will be completed utilizing the lift equipment and/or other patient handling aids as indicated by the patient’s profile and appropriate algorithms.  Details specific to therapeutic interventions outlined in Safe Patient Mobility Policywhere applicable.
2. Heavy/Hard work:  Workrequires strength and/or stamina, lifting, moving, stooping, reaching, standing, walking, and carrying of materials and equipment weighing 40+lbs.
3. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1.  Exposure to communicable diseases, body fluids and different types of cleaning and laundry chemicals.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Ability to organize and prioritize time and tasks to achieve a well-coordinated work effort and to effectively meet work schedules including an ability to integrate multiple factors which may have an impact on patient care.