PHYSICAL THERAPY AIDE

Under the direction of the Director of Jack Strickland Rehabilitation Center, assist Physical Therapist (PT) and Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA0 with a variety of physical therapy treatments designed to restore body functions, prevent or minimize disability following disease, injury, or loss of body part or extremity. Assist the secretary/receptionist with clerical duties as needed.

Qualifications:

Minimum level of education: Education level equivalent to completion of four years of high school.

Formal training: None required. Most possess the ability to count, speak, and comprehend the English language.

Licensure, Certifications, & Registration: CPR/AED Certification

Work Experience: Prior experience in rehabilitation, healthcare setting preferred, but not required.

Internal & External Contacts: Communicates effectively while maintaining confidentiality with organizational personnel, patients/patient/residents and families, visitors, medical staff office personnel, and vendor representatives.  

Physical & Mental Demands:

1. Ability to think and work effectively with frequent interruptions; to move, sit, stand, walk, and bend intermittently throughout the work day. Exerting up to 75 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.
2. Must possess sight/hearing senses or use prosthetics that will enable the applicant to adequately fulfill the requirements of this position.
3. Use of mechanical and technical equipment required for the responsibilities assigned.
4. External and internal applicant who are/become disabled, must be able to perform the essential position responsibilities unaided or with assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined on a case by case basis.

Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens: Category-II tasks that involve no exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues, but employment may require performing in an unplanned Category-I task.

Orientation Period: Up to three months (90 days) to perform proficiently all essential position responsibilities. The first ninety (90) days this position is assumed is considered the probationary period for which the employee is subject to continuous review.      

The essential position responsibilities are the basis for the 90 day and annual evaluation. This list is intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed and not intended to be exhaustive list of all duties required of personnel. 

1. Prepares new wellness members charts upon receipt of members’ paperwork; informs member when screening and orientation to center will be conducted; notifies therapist of new member information; monitors members’ performance for compliance and safety; keeps Director abreast of issues and maintains documentation in accordance with established procedures.
2. Performs clerical tasks such as completing necessary paperwork and dealing with clients and insurance providers over the phone.
3. Maintains and cleans medical and facility equipment, interacts with staff and patients, and occasionally covers the reception desk.
4. Ensures all members sign in before exercising.
5. Responsible for the general cleaning and care of all exercise equipment within the rehab center; therapy pool; safety equipment; treatment rooms and treatment equipment in accordance with established procedures and documents on logs as appropriate. 
6. Assists therapist with the implementation and treatment of patients/wellness members to include but not limited to fitting of walking devices; transfers; transports and positions.
7. Assists the therapist in movement and transfer of patients with mobility impairments and must be trained on proper methods of body mechanics for patient assistance.
8. Responsible for transferring patients from bed to wheelchair and shuttling them to areas in the clinical practice.
9. Assists patients with performing therapeutic exercise programs.
10. Assist the practice in a variety of technical, non-clinical capacities, including treatment setups and routine patient care tasks such as setting up heat packs.
11. Responsible for monitoring gym area, therapy pool area, and locker rooms throughout shift.
12. Turns alarm off on treatment timers when time expires, notifying professional staff when patients are ready for treatment in a timely manner.
13. Cleans and maintains treatment area and equipment after every patient using approved disinfectant.
14.  Maintains proper supplies on wound cart and in treatment rooms and submits request to office manager for supplies as need to replenish stock.
15. Assist with filing progress and discharge notes daily.
16. Assist with registering new patients for services.
17. Collects and bags dirty linen from gym, pool, locker rooms and treatment rooms for pick-up by Environmental services.
18. Attends organizational and departmental orientation upon employment and completes annual update and health requirements thereafter in accordance with timeframes specified by organizational policy.
19. Demonstrates a working knowledge of and/or location of organizational policies and procedures as well as adheres to them.
20. Exhibits a working knowledge of information management, confidentiality, patient/residents safety, corporate compliance and infection control.
21. Possesses knowledge of reporting errors or near misses without fear or blame/punishment for reporting accidents/incidents. Addresses and reports problems as they arise.
22.  
23. Completes required competencies registration recertification in a timely manner, as well as participates in continuing education.
24. Arrives to work on time, on scheduled days, during scheduled hours. Maintains flexibility with work schedule in meeting the needs of the department.
25. Provides age specific care demonstrating knowledge of growth and development, system assessment and developing an interdisciplinary plan of care addressing culture, religion and ethnic preferences.
26. Attends 75% of mandatory departmental meetings and in-services.
27. Utilizes equipment and materials in a cost effective manner.
28. Participates in performance improvement activities.
29. Follows chain of command whenever issue or problems arise which are beyond scope of practice.
30. Performs essential job functions in an acceptable quantity and quality.
31. Regularly smiles and speaks to patients, visitors and co-workers. Displays a team player attitude and takes every opportunity to work well with others. Displays willingness to help at all times and in all areas to meet the needs of the organization.
32. Pays close attention to and is considerate of concerns/matters that patients, families, visitors and co-workers face through words and actions.
33. Demonstrates support for the mission/vision of the organization.
34. Composes departmental correspondences, memos, and reports.