What are the responsibilities and job description for the Physical Therapist Assistant - Full Time, Days position at Southern California Hospitals?
Position Summary
Under the direction of the Physical Therapist, the Physical Therapist Assistant initiates and performs patient treatments using various procedures, modalities and instructions as outlined in the care plan. Performs direct patient care activities including but not limited to therapeutic exercises/activities, providing patient/family education, completing daily progress notes, and ensuring accurate charge entry. Prepares schedules for patients' treatment and cleans and disinfects equipment as needed.
Required Qualifications
These are requirements normally expected to perform regular job duties. Reasonable accommodations may be made in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and applicable, state and local law, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Incumbent must be able to successfully perform all of the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.
The essential functions below are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties that may be assigned to this position, nor does it restrict the duties which may be assigned to this position if such duties reasonably relate to the position.
Under the direction of the Physical Therapist, the Physical Therapist Assistant initiates and performs patient treatments using various procedures, modalities and instructions as outlined in the care plan. Performs direct patient care activities including but not limited to therapeutic exercises/activities, providing patient/family education, completing daily progress notes, and ensuring accurate charge entry. Prepares schedules for patients' treatment and cleans and disinfects equipment as needed.
Required Qualifications
- Current Physical Therapy Assistant License
- AHA Basic Life Support
- Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English
- Ability to work variable shifts including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays
- Ability to maintain flexibility and composure in a constantly changing environment
- Hospital Fire and Life Safety Card (Los Angeles City Employees only)
- Previous experience as a Physical Therapist Assistant in an acute care hospital
- Bilingual skills to communicate effectively with patients and families
These are requirements normally expected to perform regular job duties. Reasonable accommodations may be made in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and applicable, state and local law, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Incumbent must be able to successfully perform all of the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Standing - Constantly
- Walking - Constantly
- Sitting - Occasionally
- Reaching with Hands and Arms - Constantly
- Climb or Balance - Frequently
- Stooping, Kneeling, Crouching, or Crawling - Frequently
- Talking - Constantly
- Hearing - Constantly
- Seeing - Constantly
- Performing repetitive motions with arms or hands - Frequently
- Lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling up to 10 lbs - Constantly
- Lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling up to 25 lbs - Constantly
- Lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling up to 50 lbs - Frequently
- Lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling greater than 50 lbs - Frequently
- Driving - None
The essential functions below are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties that may be assigned to this position, nor does it restrict the duties which may be assigned to this position if such duties reasonably relate to the position.
- Performs accurate treatments and implements timely treatment plans as established by the therapist.
- Appropriately monitors patient's response to treatment and reports any recommend changes to therapist in a timely manner.
- Ensures timely and accurate implementation of discharge and follow-up plans.
- Counsels and educates patients, families, and caregivers.
- Participates in department and hospital wide performance improvement initiatives.
- Maintains, cleans, and calibrates equipment and instruments according to manufacturer instructions for use and hospital policy, to ensure safety, integrity, and accuracy for patient use.
- Follows appropriate procedures for notification and removal of non-functional/unsafe equipment.
- Effectively directs and aids patients in therapeutic regimen using body language and communication techniques appropriate to the patient's age and clinical population.
- Maintains the ability to adapt physical therapy techniques to meet the needs of the patient, recognizing barriers to learning.
- Ensures timely, accurate, and complete patient clinical documentation to include charges and billing.
- Maintains institutional compliance with professional, accrediting, and regulatory standards of care.
- Ensures Infection Control procedures and HIPAA compliance.
- Empathizes with patient and patient support systems, expresses compassion and understanding for the situation, and demonstrates care which is appropriate for the age, and cultural, religious, gender identity, or ethnic background.
- Engages in caring behaviors, taking conscious ownership for work, and takes deliberate/thoughtful actions regarding how to best carry out interactions with the patient, families, physicians, and co-workers.