Physical Therapist Assistant

Sevita•Pleasanton, CA

21d•Onsite

About The Position

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) will administer physical therapy treatments to patients, working under the direction of and as an assistant to the Physical Therapists. This role ensures all program participants receive scheduled PT treatments and documents therapy sessions or reasons for absence. The PTA will perform various therapeutic exercises, massage, and mobilization techniques, and provide gait training and instruction on assistive devices. They will also measure patient data to assist with evaluations and treatment effectiveness, confer with healthcare team members for treatment planning, and ensure adherence to professional standards and ethical guidelines. A strong understanding of physical therapy modalities and techniques, as well as equipment maintenance, is required.

Requirements

High School Diploma or equivalent.
Current PTA license in the state of work.
Good working knowledge of physical therapy equipment and therapeutic exercise treatments.
Commitment to the company’s mission and values.

Responsibilities

Administer physical therapy treatments to patients, working under the direction of and as an assistant to the Physical Therapists.
Assure all program participants receive scheduled PT (Physical Therapy) treatments and document therapy session or reason for inability to attend.
Perform active, passive, and/or resistive therapeutic exercises, based on general therapy principles, on program participants.
Perform therapeutic massage on program participants as needed.
Perform general mobilization and/or passive stretch to program participants, within limits of safety regarding joint/muscle stretch.
Instruct, motivate, and assist program participants in learning and improving functional activities.
Provide gait training and instruct program participants in the use of canes, crutches, walkers, braces, and splints; train program participants at homebound and community level, including endurance training.
Measure ROM, length and girth of body parts, vital signs, and MMT (manual muscle tests) to assist Physical Therapist in evaluating program participants and/or to determine the effectiveness of the program plan.
Confer with staff members and other health care members to exchange, discuss, and evaluate program participant information for modifying and coordinating current treatment program and participate in treatment planning with trans-disciplinary team as requested.
Ensure adherence to accreditation standards, licensure standards, professional code of ethics, and confidentiality.
Demonstrate knowledge of indications and contra-indications of physical therapy modalities and techniques.
Assess PT equipment for needs and maintenance.