Physical Therapist Assistant, Ergonomics & Wound Care

Adventist Health•Clearlake, CA

15d

About The Position

Provides expert treatment skills in specialty areas of Physical Therapy having achieved certification in Wound Care, Ergonomics, or other clinical specialties. Works under limited supervision of a physical therapist while administering various APTA standard physical therapy treatments for disabilities, injuries, and diseases, to relieve pain, restore motor function, and maintain optimal performance by a means of special therapeutic exercises, heat treatments, massages, hydrotherapy treatments, electricity, etc., or as otherwise prescribed by the attending physician. This position is represented by RCHEA.

Requirements

Associates degree in physical therapy or a degree in a related field of equivalent from two-year college of technical school
More than 10 years of experience, with expert treatment skills in specialty areas of Physical Therapy having achieved certification in Wound Care, Ergonomics or other clinical specialties
A valid California drivers license when travel is required
Certificate in physical therapy assistant or eligible for registration as physical therapy assistant in the State of California
Current CPR course completion
Licensed California Physical Therapy Assistant
Able to organize and monitor the work of others
Able to relate effectively with patients, nurses, physicians and other hospital/home health staff in a courteous, professional manner
Able to work independently with minimal supervision
Analytical and diagnostic ability capable to interpreting patient physicians orders for physical therapy patients and developing an effective treatment plan as needed
Evidence of automobile insurance when travel is required
Utilizes good oral and written communication skills sufficient to meet the demands of the job
Adventist Health is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our associates and patients. Therefore, we require that all associates receive all required vaccinations as a condition of employment and annually thereafter, where applicable. Medical and religious exemptions may apply.
Adventist Health participates in E-Verify. Visit https://adventisthealth.org/careers/everify/ for more information about E-Verify. By choosing to apply, you acknowledge that you have accessed and read the E-Verify Participation and Right to Work notices and understand the contents therein.
Employee must conform with all HIPAA and other confidentiality regulations as required by the job, department, or hospital

Nice To Haves

Member of APTA preferred

Responsibilities

Administers and performs standard physical therapy procedures which include, but are not limited to the following practices: active/passive exercise, massage, walking, running, muscle re-education using such PT modalities as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, traction devices, fomentations, whirlpools, etc., and give instruction on the correct use of wheelchairs, crutches, canes, leg, arm, neck and back braces, prosthetic devices, etc.
Assists with ongoing collaborative interdisciplinary planning to ensure high quality home health care services.
Assumes responsibility for observing work schedule and job requirements, maintaining compliance with hospital and departmental policies including overtime, attendance, vacation, confidentiality, etc., and completing assigned projects in a timely manner.
Attends case conferences to evaluate and discuss patients progress and future plans for therapy.
Attends departmental staff meetings and Inservice meetings as required.
Conforms to established departmental quality assurance standards and procedures on a regular basis.
Participates in the Performance Improvement Plan activities as requested or needed.
Demonstrates and instructs patients and other home health clinical staff on the proper use of PT modalities, massage, various exercises, etc., to use between treatments.
Instructs patients family/caregivers on prescribed discharge program when necessary.
Documents patients progress by recording necessary information of treatment records, patients files, and writes and/or charts progress notes daily or as required.
Implements treatment under direction of the Physical Therapist and the Physicians orders.
Checks with physical therapist periodically to reassess and plan additional therapy for the patient.
Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care/service appropriate to the age of the patients/individuals served.
Keeps current on the latest developments in physical therapy by reading professional literature, participating in education classes, etc., in order to demonstrate competence for the position.
Maintains and meets expectations on time for all competencies, license, certifications and education requirements as outlined by local administration, Adventist Health (AH), The Joint Commission (TJC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and all other regulatory agencies.
Orients patient to all therapeutic procedures involved and comforts patient by constantly reassuring the patient through the entire treatment session.
Prepares patient and various PT modalities such as traction devices and exercise equipment, for prescribed physical treatments as needed. Instructs other home health clinical staff on correct traction procedures when needed.
Provides patient care in specialty areas and under the supervision of the Physical Therapist is responsible for treatment, program development and marketing of skill sets achieved after certification in aforementioned areas.
Provides in-servicing and education to department, hospital and physician staff and the general public as required.
Reports patient progress or any complications directly to the attending physician as needed.
Schedules and completes visits within established timeframes.
Takes initiative to contact physical therapist or other home health care professionals as needed to ensure quality care for the patient.
Willingly performs other duties and innovations as assigned.