What are the responsibilities and job description for the Physical Therapist Assistant, Outpatient Westlake position at University Hospitals?
Description
- Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) work under licensed physical therapists to help people with physical injuries or illnesses of to regain range of movement and control their pain.
- Under the PT's direction, PTAs help people who have lost motor function due to accidents, illness or age.
- Provide physical therapy services only under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
- Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities.
- Observe patients during treatments to compile and evaluate data on their responses and progress and provide results to physical therapist in person or through progress notes.
- Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
- Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, aquatic physical therapy, or heat, light, sound, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound.
- Measure patients' range-of-joint motion, body parts, or vital signs to determine effects of treatments or for patient evaluations.
- Communicate with or instruct caregivers or family members on patient therapeutic activities or treatment plans.
- Transport patients to and from treatment areas, lifting and transferring them according to positioning requirements.
- Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
- Train patients in the use of orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices.
- Assist patients to dress, undress, or put on and remove supportive devices, such as braces, splints, or slings.
- Clean work area and check and store equipment after treatment.
- Fit patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices, such as crutches.
- Monitor operation of equipment and record use of equipment and administration of treatment.
- Perform clerical duties, such as taking inventory, ordering supplies, answering telephone, taking messages, or filling out forms.
- Administer traction to relieve neck or back pain, using intermittent or static traction equipment.
- Prepare treatment areas and electrotherapy equipment for use by physiotherapists.
- Implement selected components of care and interventions in a technically competent manner.
- Identify patient’s needs and exhibit compassion, caring, and empathy to individual differences.
- Recommend options, courses of action or modifications in selected treatments ensuring patient’s progress, safety and comfort.
- Apply the latest research related to restoring function, reducing symptoms frequency, and preventing injury.
- Complete documentation to support the delivery of physical therapy services.
- Perform selected data collection and obtain accurate information.
- Measure performance and report on patient’s medical record.
- Participate in patient status judgments.
- Adhere to ethical and legal standards.
- Ensure continued competence and updated field knowledge.
- Assesses learning needs, develops competency plans and provides opportunities for learning
- Participate in quality standards and identify opportunities to improve patient outcomes.
- Participates in departmental meeting and programs.
- Develop and maintain favorable internal relationships, partnerships with co-workers, including clinical managers, clinical support staff, providers and business office staff.
- Collaborate with all members of the care team in providing patient-centered care.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Complies with all policies and standards.
- For specific duties and responsibilities, refer to documentation provided by the department during orientation.
- Must abide by all requirements to safely and securely maintain Protected Health Information (PHI) for our patients.
- Annual training, the UH Code of Conduct and UH policies and procedures are in place to address appropriate use of PHI in the workplace.
- Monday-Friday.
- Part time 20 hours per week.
- For aquatic and land based outpatient therapy.
Qualifications
- Associate's Degree from a college or university accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association required.
- Strong level of skill at building relationships and providing excellent customer service.
- Effective skills in managing difficult clients and patients.
- High degree of knowledge and competency in the practice and associated charting requirements.
- Requisite skills and ability to perform certain clinical tasks as assigned.
- High level of problem solving skill to better serve patients and staff.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to utilize computers for data entry and information retrieval.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to implement, and evaluate operational and administrative processes.
- Experience/knowledge of Joint Commission accreditation process and requirements, as well as all federal, state and local regulations and standards associated with the delivery of care in a Federally Qualified Health Center.
- Demonstrated understanding and/or experience working in a patient-centered medical home (PCMH) environment.
- Demonstrated understanding and/or experience working in an integrated delivery environment.
- Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) in the State of Ohio and/or Multi State Compact license required.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) required within 90 Days.