Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) – Mobile/Home-Based Care

West Coast Wound•Los Angeles, CA

11d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a skilled, compassionate, and dependable Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) to provide high-quality physical therapy services to patients in their homes throughout the S. LA region. The PTA works under the direction and supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist to provide skilled therapeutic interventions, implement established plans of care, monitor patient response and progress, reinforce home exercise programs, and educate patients and caregivers on strategies to improve mobility, function, safety, and independence. The PTA works independently within the scope of practice in a mobile, home-based environment and adapts treatment to each patient's needs, abilities, home environment, and available equipment while following the Physical Therapist's established plan of care. The role involves travel to patients' homes, managing a daily mobile schedule, communicating with the supervising Physical Therapist and other care professionals, and completing accurate and timely clinical documentation. The PTA must follow applicable California licensing and supervision requirements, regulations, professional standards, payer requirements, and company policies. This is a full-time 1099 independent contractor position with a four-day, 10-hour-per-day schedule. Typical start time is between 7:30 AM and 8:30 AM, depending on patient scheduling and geographic coverage. Guaranteed base pay is $1,080 per week, calculated at $45 per patient visit based on a minimum of six visits per day, with $45 for each additional visit beyond the daily base of six. Compensation is subject to the independent contractor agreement.

Requirements

Current and valid Physical Therapist Assistant license in good standing.
Graduate of an accredited Physical Therapist Assistant program.
Strong knowledge of anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, biomechanics, therapeutic exercise, and rehabilitation principles.
Strong understanding of physical therapy treatment techniques and functional mobility principles.
Ability to safely and effectively implement a Physical Therapist's established plan of care.
Knowledge of therapeutic exercise, gait training, balance training, functional mobility, neuromuscular re-education, strengthening, transfer training, and fall prevention.
Strong observation and patient monitoring skills, including the ability to recognize and appropriately communicate changes in patient condition or functional status.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work independently and manage a mobile patient caseload while maintaining appropriate communication with the supervising Physical Therapist.
Punctual, dependable, organized, and professional.
Comfort entering and providing care in patients' homes and working with patients and caregivers in a home-based environment.
Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
Ability to travel throughout the assigned service area.
Ability to arrive within expected visit timeframes, manage travel and scheduling, and carry and transport necessary clinical equipment and supplies.
Ability to adapt treatment approaches to different home environments and available space.
Ability to demonstrate sound clinical judgment within the PTA's scope of practice when working independently in the community.
Must practice within the scope of the California Physical Therapist Assistant license and applicable supervision requirements.

Nice To Haves

CPR/BLS certification is preferred or required according to company policy.
Previous home health, mobile therapy, outpatient, orthopedic, neurological, geriatric, or community-based experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Travel to patients' homes throughout the assigned service area to provide treatment under the direction of the supervising Physical Therapist.
Review the established plan of care, treatment goals, precautions, and relevant clinical information before treatment.
Provide skilled interventions according to the Physical Therapist's plan of care, including therapeutic exercises and activities, neuromuscular re-education, gait and mobility training, balance and coordination training, functional strengthening, transfer training, fall prevention and safety training, functional mobility and activity training, and manual therapy when appropriate and within the PTA's scope of practice.
Help patients improve strength, range of motion, balance, coordination, endurance, gait, mobility, and functional performance.
Train patients in safe and appropriate use of assistive devices, such as walkers and canes, as directed by the Physical Therapist.
Implement and reinforce individualized home exercise programs established by the Physical Therapist.
Educate patients and caregivers on exercises, mobility strategies, safety precautions, fall prevention, positioning, transfers, and promoting independence.
Monitor patient response to treatment and recognize changes in pain, functional status, mobility, tolerance, or overall condition.
Communicate significant changes, treatment responses, progress, concerns, and barriers to the supervising Physical Therapist in a timely manner and provide feedback on patient progress.
Assist the Physical Therapist with reassessments and other clinical follow-up activities as appropriate and permitted within the PTA's scope of practice.
Modify treatment activities within the established plan of care when appropriate and within the PTA's scope of practice, communicating clinically significant changes to the supervising Physical Therapist.
Reinforce proper body mechanics, transfer techniques, positioning, and safety strategies with patients and caregivers.
Adapt treatment to the home environment, available space and equipment, functional abilities, and individual needs while following the established plan of care.
Coordinate care and communicate professionally with Physical Therapists, physicians, nurses, caregivers, occupational therapists, and other healthcare professionals as appropriate.
Communicate promptly regarding patient concerns, cancellations, scheduling changes, or other issues that may affect care.
Arrive at scheduled visits within the expected timeframe, manage travel time, and maintain an efficient daily schedule.
Carry and transport necessary clinical equipment and supplies, and maintain a safe and professional environment during visits.
Respect patients' homes, privacy, routines, and individual preferences; maintain confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries.
Complete accurate, timely, and thorough daily treatment notes and other required documentation, including treatment response, progress toward goals, interventions, education, home exercise program instruction, communications, and changes in patient condition.
Maintain compliance with applicable federal and state regulations, professional standards, payer requirements, PTA supervision requirements, company policies, the scope of the California PTA license, and the supervising Physical Therapist's plan of care.
Provide compassionate, respectful, and professional care to patients and their families in the home setting.