PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT

Fort Defiance Indian Hospital Board, Inc.•Fort Defiance Agency, AZ

167d•$29 - $36•Onsite

About The Position

This position provides physical therapy services to patients in various departments, including Emergency Department and Fast Track. The role involves following treatment plans established by a Physical Therapist, maintaining patient records, communicating patient progress, and administering a range of therapeutic treatments for diverse patient populations including neuromusculoskeletal, wound care, geriatric, and pediatric cases. The assistant will also be responsible for gait training, foot care, patient and family education, and assisting with training therapy aides.

Requirements

Associate of Occupational/Applied Science Degree from a Physical Therapist Assistant School accredited by Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
Successfully pass the Physical Therapist Assistant board exam administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.
Valid and unrestricted Physical Therapist Assistant State License.
Valid unrestricted insurable driver's license.

Nice To Haves

No additional experience required outside of a completed training program as defined in the education qualifications listed below.

Responsibilities

Follows and carries inpatient and outpatient treatments under the plan of care established by a Physical Therapist.
Provides therapy services to the Emergency Department and Fast Track Departments.
Serves as an on-call therapist for Inpatient weekend coverages, Emergency Medicine and Fast Track Services when overflow follow-up therapy is needed while the Physical Therapists attend to new evaluations.
Maintains accurate patient treatment records and completes billing and billing sheet according to department billing procedures within established timeframes.
Communicates verbal and written progress or lack thereof to the referring therapist and suggest appropriate changes to plans and goals based on patient response to treatment.
Writes concise, informative, legible progress notes in Electronic Health Records (EHR). Recommends changes in the plan of care and/or treatment based on the progress towards established goals to the Physical Therapist.
Monitors vital signs, recognizes changes in patient status, and uses independent judgment to discontinue a procedure or therapeutic exercise as indicated. Notifies the therapist and/or physician provider of changes in patient status and responds immediately and appropriately to potentially life-threatening events.
Independently administers treatment established by the plan of care and carries out therapeutic programs for patients with a wide variety of neuromusculoskeletal diagnoses that impair function and result in pain.
Provides independent treatment per plan of care for wounds including whirlpool and / or irrigation, non-surgical debridement, and dressing changes. Follows standard precautions and uses clean technique during all procedures.
Independently administers treatment and provides patient / family education for geriatric wellness / rehabilitation including activities of daily living, gaiting and other mobility issues, balance / coordination activities, cognitive issues, extremity function, life-long fitness / quality of life issues.
Independently carries out plans of care and provides direct treatment and patient / family education on pediatric wellness and rehabilitation including activities of daily living, gaiting and other mobility issues, balance and coordination activities, cognitive issues, and extremity function. Assists the therapist with splinting and bracing, seating systems and other adaptive technology, and neurodevelopmental techniques and activities.
Provides comprehensive gait training including proper use of crutches, canes, walkers, and assistive appliances (braces, artificial limbs, and supports). Assures correct fit of all assistive devices and appliances.
Fits orthotics to patients and makes adjustments as indicated. Provides patient / family education about foot care, orthoses care, and selection of appropriate protective, supportive shoes. (depending on Practice Act per license).
Instructs and trains patients and their families to carry out home programs of exercise and activities of daily living based on patient and / or family needs and the home environment.
Provides pre-operative instructions according to established protocols.
Provides instructions for established health promotion/disease prevention programs including diabetic foot care & shoe selection guidelines.
Performs team planning, health promotion/disease prevention activities, and community education.
May assist in training and overseeing therapy aides in the treatment of clients.
Completes and maintains current (with appropriate signature verification) a competency checklist for all physical therapy modalities and treatments.
Performs other duties as assigned.