Physical Therapist Assistant

HomeCentris Healthcare•Owings Mills, MD

29d

About The Position

Under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist, administers comprehensive physical therapy modalities/regimens to patients in their place of residence for the purpose of developing and restoring function through rehabilitative physical therapy as prescribed by a physician.

Requirements

Current valid state Physical Therapy Assistant license
Graduate of an accredited physical therapy assistant curriculum/school
For Medicare certified agencies: o Graduate of a physical therapy assistant curriculum approved by: o The American Physical Therapy Association, or o The Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation of the American Medical Association, or o The Council on Medical Education of the American Medical Association and the American Physical Therapy Association; or,
Prior to January 1, 1966: o Was admitted to membership by the American Physical Therapy Association, or, o Was admitted to registration by the American Registry of Physical Therapists, or, o Has graduated from a physical therapy curriculum in a four (4) year college or university approved by a State department of education; or
One (1) year of appropriate work experience as a Physical Therapy Assistant, and has achieved a satisfactory grade on a proficiency examination conducted, approved, or sponsored by the US Public Health Service except for those individuals initially licensed by a state or seeking qualification as a physical therapist after December 31, 1977; or
Was licensed or registered prior to January 1, 1966, and prior to January 1, 1970 had 15 years of full-time physical therapy practice experience under the order and direction of attending or referring doctors of medicine or osteopathy; or,
If trained outside the United States: o Was graduated since 1928 from a physical therapy assistant curriculum approved by the country in which the program/school was located and in which there is a member organization of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy. o Meets the requirements for membership in a member organization of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy.
One (1) year of work experience.
Valid state driver’s license and reliable automobile.
Proof of current automobile insurance.
Current health certificate/physical examination and TB testing.
Current CPR certification.
Criminal background check.
Able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
Understands regulations/standards applicable to home healthcare.
Knowledge of general occupational therapy modalities and scope of occupational therapy practice within the state of practice.
Flexible, yet organized, with ability to exercise sound judgment.

Nice To Haves

Prior home health experience preferred.
Current liability insurance recommended.
Additional languages preferred.

Responsibilities

Reviews physician orders for certification and re-certification of home physical therapy services.
Ensures that changes in patients’ clinical status are communicated to other healthcare team members and agency office staff verbally and in writing in a timely manner.
Ensures that physician orders are communicated to other healthcare team members and agency staff in a timely, accurate, and thorough manner.
Coordinates care delivery with the physician, patient and family/caregivers, other healthcare team members and agency staff to facilitate optimal patient outcomes.
Educates patients, their families/caregivers and other staff as appropriate, in appropriate physical therapy modalities.
Delivers physical therapy modalities appropriate to the patient’s clinical status and needs, and in accordance with the standard of care for patient’s age.
Instructs and monitors patient on appropriate home exercise programs tailored to the patient’s clinical status, needs and age.
Able to appropriately assess and reassess a patient’s pain.
Utilizes appropriate pain management modalities that include, but are not limited to, physical therapy modalities.
Educates the patient and/or caregiver in effective pain management modalities.
Provides physical therapy modalities in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
Identifies risk of injuries or threats to life and health in the patient’s environment, i.e., environmental/safety/mobility risks and implements appropriate interventions to reduce those risks.
Addresses and supports cultural practices providing such practices do not harm the patient or others, and do not interfere with the planned course of physical therapy.
Is accessible to the supervising licensed therapist and agency staff at all times
Participates in the organization’s information management program.
Complies with the agency’s policies.
Adheres to all applicable laws, regulations and standards.
Completes and submits necessary documentation in accordance with agency policy and applicable regulations.
Submits verification of completed visits in accordance with agency policy.
Participates in interdisciplinary team conferences in accordance with agency policy.
Maintains current knowledge of community resources. Identifies and accesses appropriate external and internal resources to meet patient and/or family needs and to facilitate optimal patient outcomes while home care services are being provided, and for transfer and discharge processes.
Adheres to agency dress code; appearance is neat and clean.
Adheres to legal practice standards, including applicable federal, state, and local regulations and standards.
Completes annual education requirements.
Maintains patient confidentiality at all times.
Demonstrates effective time management and organizational skills; provides patient visits as scheduled; completes patient care within the designated time.
Wears identification while providing patient care.
Attends annual review and in-services, as scheduled.
Attends staff meetings regularly, reads and returns all monthly staff meeting minutes.
Articulates agency grievance/concerns procedure.
Articulates agency adverse event/incident reporting procedure.
Articulates agency’s emergency management plan.
Maintains currency of professional knowledge by participating in continuing education offerings.
Assures continued competency by maintaining and updating professional performance, knowledge and skills.
Participates in the organization’s performance improvement and continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities.
Practices in a manner consistent with the professional and agency code of ethics.
Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner.
Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices.
Communicates the mission, ethics and goals of the agency.