Therapy - Physical Therapy Assistant

Summary: Job Title Physical Therapy Assistant 20 hrs/ week Monday- Friday   Department Therapy   Reports to Therapy Director - Director of Therapy Key Responsibilities: Staff Leadership Assists Physical Therapist in establishing restorative nursing programs, as necessary, in conjunction with restorative nursing department efforts to provide appropriate comprehensive care to patients. Resident Nursing Care Participates in patient, family and assigned facility meetings as appropriate. Maintains appropriate patient schedules as per established guidelines. Professional Responsibilities Participates in training programs for facility staff, patients, families and rehabilitation staff. Provides documentation to maintain accuracy and quality of medical records, in order to comply with reimbursement guidelines and company requirements. Plan and administer PT treatment intentions per PT evaluation and Plan of Care. Educate patient and families regarding the role of therapy and therapeutic interventions. Monitor and document patient progress in response to treatment interventions. Care Coordination Communicates effectively with skilled rehabilitation team to ensure the most appropriate care is provided to the patients. Provides therapeutic treatment in accordance with the patients’ established plan of care with a focus on functional and measurable outcomes. Communicate effectively with all departments to provide continuity of resident care. Compliance Participates in marketing and community presentations and projects to promote the success of the company. Follows company processes, policies and procedures. Safety  Participates in continuous quality improvement activities. Requirements: Education, Experience and Training Successful completion of an accredited Physical Therapist Assistant Program Valid license or eligible for licensure to practice as a Physical Therapist Assistant in Iowa High level communication skills, both verbal and written Effective leadership and customer relationship skills Ability to exercise mature judgment with initiative in analyzing and solving problems Scheduling Regular attendance is required. Must be able to work weekends and holidays as needed. Mental Demands Must demonstrate effective communication skills with staff, residents and family, medical personnel and the public. Must demonstrate use of mature judgment and demonstrate excellent problem solving skills and ability. Must be able to work effectively in emergency situation. Must be able to work under stress when confronted with critical or unusual situation. Demonstrates ability to exercise analytic ability in following nursing process and providing nursing care. Demonstrates use of independent judgment in care of residents and supervision of staff. Errors in judgment may result in economic, legal and goodwill consequences. Physical Demands Influenza Vaccine: The influenza vaccination is required by all employees, students, interns & contract workers within 2 weeks of "hire date", unless an influenza vaccination waiver form from a physician is on file.  Must be able to perform unrestricted duties in the case of emergency. Sit, walk, stand: approximately- 70% of the shift is spent walking and standing, alternating between the two activities, when performing the essential duties of this job.  Approximately 30% of an average working shift is spent sitting.  This is time spent charting, assembling charts, completing paperwork, attending meetings, etc.  Time spent performing these physical activities varies daily according to scheduling demands and resident needs.                                                   Lift, carry, push, and pull: Requirements for this category are generally sedentary in nature meaning not more than 10# of force is required.  Performing patient assists and transfers an essential part of this position.  The strength required to perform assists, transfers, etc. varies with the weight and condition of the resident.  The frequency of the need for such actions depends upon workload and resident need. Equipment being carried generally weighs less than 15#; oxygen tanks weigh 16#; lifting bedrails, up to 20# of force to lift in place or lower; commodes, up to -20# to lift. Push and pull: Larger equipment or equipment on carts, including the Crash cart, require up to 25# of force to move.  Force to push/pull a resident in a wheelchair ranges from 5-50#.  All lifting, carrying and/or pushing/pulling will be done in a manner that conforms to good health and safety practice.  Lifting or transfers in excess of 50# of force should be performed with the assistance of another coworker. Bend, stoop, squat, kneel, crouch, crawl: Will occasionally need to bend and stoop throughout the shift, when performing physical therapy assessments and treatments, assisting in resident emergency situations, accessing files, etc.                             Reach, handle, finger, and feel: Must be able to handle and operate equipment such as BP cuffs and physical therapy evaluation and treatment materials.  Completes therapy documentation and reports. See and hear: Must have adequate visual and auditory abilities allowing for immediate and accurate response to resident care needs, accuracy of charting, reading monitors and equipment, observing physical conditions, etc.   Work Environment Works in a well-illuminated, climate-controlled environment. May come in contact with hazardous chemicals or treatment modalities. Possibility exists of exposure to communicable disease. Involvement in resident care may result in unavoidable work-related illness or injury. Core Values: People First Uses proper speech, language and tones to support a positive environment for residents and coworkers. Communicates changes in schedule proactively. Recognizes the importance to residents and coworkers of consistent attendance and punctuality. Displays a positive and pleasant outlook with residents and co-workers. Financial Integrity Protects organizational resources through responsible use and decision making. Manages and uses time effectively. Actively seeks opportunities to improve processes and eliminate waste without negatively impacting the services provided. Servant Spirit Seeks to understand needs of others by asking questions, listening to the answers and acting on what is heard. Works cooperatively and maintains good relations with residents and co-workers. Places personal objectives behind resident and organizational needs Innovation Proactively offers suggestions and solutions to create fulfilling lifestyles for residents, their families, and/or employees. Willingly and actively supports new initiatives put in place within the department and/or the organization. A review of this description has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties. All duties and requirements are essential job functions. All requirements are subject to possible modifications to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves, other employees, or residents. This description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this Position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor. Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbent will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship.#Therapy