Purpose of Your Job Position

The primary purpose of your position is to assist in planning, organizing, developing, and directing Physical Therapy Services in accordance with current applicable federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations, and as may be directed by the Administrator, to assure that the highest degree of quality resident care can be maintained at all times.

Delegation of Authority

As Physical Therapist Assistant you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

Job Function

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or is an essential function of the position.

Duties and Responsibilities

Administrative Functions

• Assist in planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing our physical therapy services as well as its programs and activities, as directed by the Facility’s Physical Therapists.

• Assist in developing and maintaining physical therapy standards.

• Assist in standardizing the methods in which therapy will be accomplished.

• Assist in developing, implementing, and coordinating policies and procedures, resident care plans, physical therapy procedure manuals, job descriptions, etc.

• Review physical therapy policies, procedures, manuals, job descriptions, etc., at least annually, and participate in making recommended changes.

• Assist in interpreting physical therapy policies and procedures to personnel, residents, family members, etc., as necessary.

• Participate and assist in discharge planning, development and implementation of resident care plans, resident assessments, etc., as necessary.

• Maintain a current file of residents who have been treated.

• Maintain treatment records, resident files, and progress notes as required.

• Ensure resident records are not lost or mishandled.

• Ensure the Business Office receives charges for physical therapy rendered to residents.

• Maintain an adequate liaison with families and residents.

• Interview residents, or family members, as necessary.

• Perform administrative requirements such as completing necessary forms, reports, etc., and submitting to the Physical Therapist, as required.

Personnel Functions

• Maintain an excellent working relationship with the medical profession and other health related facilities and organizations.

• Develop and maintain a good working rapport with inter-department personnel, as well as other departments within the Facility to assure that services and activities can be properly maintained to meet the needs of the residents.

• Assist in the training of competent physical therapy personnel.

• Coordinate physical therapy with other departments.

• Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials and hazardous chemicals to your Supervisor.

Therapy Functions

• Provide individual Physical Therapy services to residents according to the resident’s plan of care.

• Brief resident of procedures involved in physical therapy and prepare necessary equipment.

• Assist in transporting residents to and from physical therapy room or area.

• Act as receptionist to residents for the physical therapy department.

• Demonstrate to resident and nursing personnel, as necessary, the use of medical appliances involved in physical therapy (e.g., wheelchairs, crutches, canes, braces, and prosthetic appliances and devices).

• Perform physical therapy in resident’s room, as necessary.

• Reassure resident before and during therapy treatment.

• Assist in preparing resident for treatment by dress or position and administer physical therapy in accordance with established policies and procedures.

• Encourage resident to perform and/or participate in ADL functions.

• Assist the therapist, as directed, in administering hydrotherapy.

• Assist residents in ambulatory training, as directed.

• Assist in applying agents such as diathermy, ultrasound, infrared, massage, therapeutic exercise, etc., as instructed or directed.

• Be alert to resident’s response to treatment. Notify therapist immediately for assistance if required.

• Communicate with supervisory Physical Therapist regarding Plan of Care.

Staff Development

• Participate in programs designed for in-service education, on the job training and orientation classes.

• Participate and assist in departmental studies and projects as assigned or that may become necessary.

• Attend and participate in workshops, seminars, etc., as required.

• Attend and participate in annual Facility in-service training programs as scheduled (e.g., OSHA, TB, HIPAA, Abuse Prevention, Safety, Infection Control, etc.).

Safety and Sanitation

• Follow safety standards established for the physical therapy department.

• Follow established departmental policies and procedures at all times, including appropriate dress code.

• Be alert for resident safety during all therapy.

• Comply with the Facility’s established safety precautions at all times.

• Wear and or use safety equipment and supplies when lifting or moving residents.

• Ensure physical therapy practices and procedures comply with current applicable regulations.

• Follow established infection control procedures and standard and universal precautions when performing duties.

• Ensure safety and comfort of resident while going to and from therapy room or area.

• Ensure that the therapy area is maintained in a clean and safe manner for resident comfort and convenience by assuring that necessary equipment and supplies are maintained to perform such duties or services.

• Follow reporting procedures when observing hazardous conditions or equipment.

• Wear personal protective clothing when performing services that involve potential exposure to blood or body fluids.

• Report missing and illegible labels or SDSs to your supervisor.

Equipment and Supply Functions

• Assist with the care and maintenance of department equipment and supplies.

• Recommend to the therapist the equipment and supply needs of the department.

• Utilize all department equipment and supplies in an efficient manner that promotes desired therapy outcomes and minimizes waste.

• Operate equipment in a safe manner.

Care Plan and Assessment Functions

• Ensure that physical therapy procedures are those indicated in the care plan for the resident. Inform Physical Therapist of any need to adjust therapy plan to match or support stated care plan goals.

• Assist and participate in resident assessment activities, as necessary.

• Assist, as necessary, in developing physical therapy plans for individual residents in coordination and conjunction with the resident assessment (MDS).

• Ensure that care plans indicate physical therapy when such therapy is ordered.

• Provide therapy treatment in accordance with the resident’s plan of care.

Resident Rights

• Be knowledgeable of the residents’ responsibilities and rights including the right to refuse treatment.

• Honor the resident’s refusal of treatment request.

• Abide by the resident’s decision not to participate in treatment. Report such refusal to the therapist and/or LPN or RN.

• Inform the resident of the consequences of not participating in his or her prescribed treatment and document such action in the resident’s clinical record.

• Report complaints and grievances made by the resident to the therapist and/or Nurse Supervisor.

• Allow the resident to participate in the planning and scheduling of his or her treatment.

• Must adhere to all HIPAA requirements.

Working Conditions

• Works in office, resident rooms, and therapy area(s).

• Is involved with residents, family members, personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.

• Communicates with the medical staff, nursing personnel, and other department directors.

• Is subject to exercising and massaging residents.

• Must be constantly alert for resident safety.

• Attends and participates in continuing educational programs.

• Is subject to lifting, carrying, and supporting residents.

• Maintains a liaison with the residents, their families, other department, etc., to adequately plan for the resident’s physical therapy needs.

Education

• Must have graduated from an accredited physical therapy program.

• Must have any required state license in physical therapy.

Experience

• Must have experience in an assistant capacity in a hospital, nursing care facility, or other related medical facility.

Specific Requirements

• Must have initiative to carry out assigned task with or without constant supervision.

• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.

• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.

• Must possess the ability to interpret the policies and procedures of physical therapy.

• Must maintain the care and use of supplies, equipment, etc., and maintain the appearance of therapy areas.

• Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing therapy services.

• Must be able to relate information concerning a resident’s condition.

Physical and Sensory Requirements

(With or Without a Reasonable Accommodation)

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.

• Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to assure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.

• Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of the Facility, which may include a medical and physical examination.

• Based on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Guidelines for Nursing Homes Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders and the American Conference Governmental Industrial Hygienists' Threshold Limit Values for Lifting the Facility has identified that this job may require the lifting of residents, equipment, or other objects. Accordingly, this job may require a minimum of 5 pounds and a maximum of 45 pounds lifting, periodically and or as needed.