Physical Therapist Assistant, Casual (Erie)

UPMC•Erie, PA

About The Position

Provides physical therapy treatment in accordance with the plan of care established by a physical therapist. Recommends changes to the supervising physical therapist based on the patient’s condition and response to treatment. Maintains an orderly work area, directs therapy volunteers, performs facility clerical responsibilities as required, and transports patients safely, comfortably, courteously, promptly, and professionally using prescribed transport vehicles. The role provides therapeutic interventions for pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients within the scope of practice permitted by the applicable state’s Physical Therapy Practice Act. It also includes assisting physical therapists with patient surveys, documenting services and patient status, supervising clinical support staff, and adapting implementation of the treatment program in response to patient needs while following the physical therapist’s plan of care.

Requirements

Graduate of a Physical Therapist Assistant program accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association.
Associate’s degree as a physical therapist assistant.
CPR certification meeting AHA standards, including didactic and skills-demonstration components, required within 30 days of hire.
Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
Physical Therapist Assistant or Physical Therapist Assistant Indirect Supervision licensure/credential.

Responsibilities

Attend and actively participate in staff meetings, staff development, departmental committees, and in-service education programs.
Use and appropriately supervise clinical support staff in accordance with the practicing state’s Physical Therapy Practice Act.
Complete charge and statistical information accurately to reflect documented services rendered to patients.
Provide appropriate, comprehensive, and skillful therapeutic interventions based on physical therapist-developed treatment programs for pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients within the permitted scope of practice.
Assist physical therapists in surveying pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients within the permitted scope of practice.
Maintain written or electronic documentation for all clinical services, including changes in patient status, cancellations, and administered interventions; ensure documentation is cosigned in accordance with facility guidelines and state law.
Rotate through selected treatment areas or facilities when necessary to meet organizational needs.
Request and provide objective feedback to supervisors regarding department performance and emergency situations.
Schedule work to meet or exceed the facility’s established productivity standard.
Implement treatment programs within the physical therapist’s plan of care, responding to patient response or changes in medical status to maximize outcomes; recognize when the plan of care may need to change and notify the physical therapist promptly.
Implement treatment programs in a manner reflecting current scientific and clinical knowledge to achieve established outcomes and goals.
Maintain an orderly work area and direct therapy volunteers.
Perform clerical responsibilities as required by the facility.
Transport patients safely, comfortably, courteously, promptly, and professionally using prescribed transport vehicles.
Recommend treatment-plan changes to the supervising physical therapist based on the patient’s condition and response to treatment.