Physical Therapy Aide

Summary: The Physical Therapy Aide provides non-clinical support to licensed physical therapists, ensuring the smooth operation of the therapy department. Aides assist with patient preparation, transport, and exercise programs while maintaining a clean, safe, and organized treatment environment. They also perform clerical tasks, contributing to an efficient and positive experience for patients.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Patient care support:

o Prepare patients for therapy by setting up equipment and treatment areas.

o Assist patients in moving to and from therapy areas within the facility.

o Provide encouragement and support to patients during their exercises as directed by a physical therapist.

o Transport patients via wheelchair or assist with walking, sitting, and standing.

o Provide basic prescribed treatments, such as applying ice or heat packs under the therapist's direction.

o Observe patients during exercises and report any concerns or changes to the physical therapist.

• Administrative and clerical tasks:

o Perform patient intake and update patient records.

o Schedule appointments and manage patient flow.

o Answer phones, respond to emails, and handle other front-office duties.

o Manage and organize supply inventory, including ordering and restocking.

• Facility maintenance:

o Maintain a clean and sanitary environment by wiping down equipment, treatment tables, and other surfaces.

o Wash and organize linens and towels.

o Perform equipment checks and report any malfunctioning equipment to a therapist or supervisor.

o Follow all infection control and safety standards.

o Perform other duties as assigned by Supervisor and/or Manager

The above listing of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive but rather to serve as a description of the range of duties and general nature of the position. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Education and Work Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent.

• CPR/First Aid certification is preferred.

• Previous experience in a healthcare or fitness setting is often preferred but not always required, as on-the-job training is common.

• Basic knowledge of anatomy and human movement is a plus.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interact positively with patients, family members, and staff.

• Strong organizational and time-management abilities, with keen attention to detail.

• Compassionate and patient-centered attitude.

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• N/A

Knowledge and Skills:

1. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are mandatory.

2. Must be detail oriented and comfortable working in fast-paced and rapidly changing environment.

3. Teamwork collaboration is essential to the organization, so it is critical that the manager communicates and interacts well with other team members and is able to build positive relationships across all levels within the organization.

4. Must possess excellent organizational skills and be extremely flexible to meet customer demands, in addition to being able to work independently and prioritize multiple tasks in a changing environment with a high degree of accuracy.

5. Ability to follow oral and written instructions.

6. Ability to positively interact with personnel, customers, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel and the general public.

7. Interacts with customers, families, visitors, center and the Company’s subsidiary personnel;

8. Carries out other tasks as requested in situations where hands-on intervention/participation may be required.

9. Provide annual verification of negative TB skin test.

Physical Demands:

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.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

(1) Physical Demands:

(Answer yes or no)

Reaching (overhead) yes

Handling Fingering yes

Feeling yes

Talking or Hearing yes

Seeing yes

(Answer: 0-33% - Rarely / 34-66% - Occasionally / 67-100% - Frequently)

Standing 67- 100%

Walking 67 - 100%

Sitting 0-33%

(Specify Amount of Weight in Pounds: Sedentary [10 lbs] / Light [20 lbs] / Medium [50 lbs] / Heavy [100 lbs] / Very Heavy [>100 lbs])

Pulling 20

Lifting 20

Carrying 20

Pushing 20

(Answer yes or no)

Climbing (stairs) yes

Balancing yes

Stooping yes

Kneeling no

Crouching yes

Crawling no

Twisting yes

(2) Location of Job Activities (Answer in %) Outside 0% Travel may encompass up to 5% of time Inside 100%

(3) Environmental Conditions:

(Answer yes or no)

Extreme heat with or without temperature changes no

Extreme cold with or without temperature changes no

Wet or humid no

Noise and/or vibrations no

Hazards (chemical, mechanical, radiant energy ) no

Explosives, burns, electrical, other no

Atmospheric conditions - Fumes, poor ventilation, mists, dusts, odors, gas no

Unprotected heights no

Moving machinery no

Operating automotive equipment yes

Operating foot controls yes

Uneven ground no

Protective clothing (list) no (gowns, masks, gloves in accordance with policy)

(4) Work Situations

(Answer yes or no)

Measurable or verifiable criteria yes

Dealing with people yes

Repetitive and continuous yes

Performing under stress yes

Set limits, tolerance or standards yes

Problem solving yes

Comparing yes

Taking instructions yes