Position Summary: Under the supervision of the department’s management and physical therapists, the certified physical therapy assistant assumes responsibility and accountability for the process of assessment and implementation needed to deliver safe, evidence based care under the supervision of a physical therapist. Position provides patient care for the Bone, Joint & Spine Unit along with other ancillary departments to promote excellence in Knee Hip Replacement patient care.

Responsibilities:

• Performs chart review; collects patient and/or caregiver interview information; and consults with other medical staff.
• Follows an individualized plan of care that includes short and long-term goals for the patient/family based on objective tests, measures and evaluation and reflects the plan of the entire health care team.
• Carries out assessment and treatment techniques safely and in compliance with policy to facilitate achievement of expected goals; assesses patient response to intervention based upon expected goals; and supervises support staff according to staff’s scope of practice.
• Documents treatment and appropriate charges in an accurate and timely manner.
• Coordinates patient care activities and communicates with supervising therapist and other members of the healthcare team.
• Incorporates evidence based practice into therapy practice.
• Cleans therapy area and returns all equipment to proper storage area; ensures all equipment is in proper working order; and removes any non-functioning equipment and reports appropriately.
• Facilitates system and institutional policies, procedures, and goals to evaluate impact on patient outcome.

Knee Hip Replacement Essential Functions:

• Provide assistance and training in functional mobility techniques, including ambulation, activities of daily living (ADL), and therapeutic exercise.
• Communicate and educate nursing staff on patient mobility goals and status including use of assistive devices.
• Communicate pain, comfort level to nursing staff and provide for alternative measures to help with pain control.

Qualifications: 

Required:

• Graduated from accredited Physical Therapy Assistant Program.
• Physical Therapy Assistant certified with the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts and may require additional state certification based on population served.
• BLS certification required or must complete within two weeks of new hire or transfer.
• Additional certification may be required but not limited to a valid Kansas Commercial Drivers License with an acceptable driving record for certain patient care settings or populations.
• Specific information and the timeframe in which such certification must be attained will be provided by the department director/manager/supervisor at time of hire/transfer into department.

Preferred:

• AED and basic first aid training.

Infection Control: Initial and Ongoing training in dealing with infection control. Trainings could include but are not limited to, blood borne pathogens, bodily fluids and bio hazardous materials as it applies to your daily work environment.

Patient Interaction: Frequent

HIPAA: This position will have access to the following Protected Health Information in order to carry out the duties related to their position at Hays Medical Center based on the following criteria:
Primary – required (routine) to do the job;
Secondary – required for the job, but mostly be exception; and
None – no approved access
Description of Information
Primary:
Patient Demographic Information (information used to identify a person): Name, Date of Birth, Address, Race, Marital Status, Religion
Coding Information (clinical information that is in (alpha) numeric format): ICD-9 Codes, Rev Codes, CPT Codes
Financial Information/Insurance (information related to insurance, billing and payment): Billing Information, Payer Name, Payer ID, Account Balances, Plan Elements Covered, Payment Information, Payment Rates
Clinical Information (information that describes a patient’s health status): Diagnosis, Reports/Medical Notes, Test Results, Problem List, Procedures, History and Physical