Physical Therapy Assist Home Health Care

Advocate Health • Oak Lawn, IL

3d • $27 - $40 • Onsite

About The Position

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) provides home health physical therapy services in the Chicago South and Southwest service area, working within the plan of care and parameters established by the supervising therapist. The territory includes Pilsen, North Lawndale, West Midway, and South Shore, extending east to Lake Michigan and south to 79th Street, across the listed ZIP codes. Care is provided in patient or family homes and assisted living facilities.

The PTA develops restorative relationships with patients and families, adapts communication and treatment to individual needs, supports patient education and self-care, and identifies when additional assessment is needed. The role works as part of an interdisciplinary care team, coordinating with the supervising therapist and other clinicians to support safe, effective, and cost-conscious care. The position also requires thorough documentation, participation in quality improvement and professional development activities, and adherence to organizational, operational, and personnel policies.

This is a full-time position scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with rotating weekends and holidays required. The role involves extensive travel throughout the service area in varied weather and road conditions. The associate must arrange transportation to and from patients’ homes and the branch office. Physical demands include bending, sitting, standing, stair climbing while carrying objects, pushing, pulling, reaching, carrying, lifting, assisting with patient ambulation and transfers, and providing treatment on standard beds. The role requires lifting or carrying at least 25 pounds and the ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance. Patient-handling equipment and another associate are expected to be used for patient lifts over 35 pounds or when the patient cannot assist, when available.

A $5,000 sign-on bonus is available to external candidates only. Internal Advocate Health team members are not eligible, and the associate must be employed in the eligible position at payout; the bonus is subject to applicable taxes.

Requirements

• Physical Therapist Assistant license in Illinois, or eligibility for Illinois licensure.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification from the American Heart Association, to be obtained within six months unless the department leader determines it is not required.
• Valid driver’s license issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles.
• Ability to demonstrate compliance with state continuing education requirements.
• Two years of clinical experience or demonstration of a strong spectrum of clinical affiliation experience.
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Word and email, and ability to learn and use computer-based scheduling and documentation systems.
• Professional verbal and written communication skills, including strong documentation skills.
• Good interpersonal skills, time management, and self-organization skills.
• Proficient use of home-based therapy equipment and assistive devices, including balls, bands, weights, and Hoyer lifts.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the position, including lifting up to 35 pounds without assistance and assisting with patient ambulation and transfers.
• Ability to provide or arrange transportation to and from patients’ homes and the branch office.
• Ability to work the scheduled days and hours and rotating weekends and holidays, and to travel extensively in varied weather and road conditions.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain restorative relationships with patients and families throughout the healthcare continuum, reflecting Advocate’s MVP of Compassion.
• Individualize treatment within the supervising therapist’s established plan of care, recognize when further assessment is needed, and alert the appropriate professional.
• Adapt communication to patients’ and families’ needs, assess their readiness to participate in care, and seek consultation from the supervising therapist as needed.
• Promote patient and family knowledge and confidence in self-care, disease management, and infection prevention.
• Use approved, evidence-based treatment interventions to achieve established patient outcomes and adapt practice to current standards.
• Participate in quality and process improvement initiatives, promote patient safety, and use appropriate resources to address risks to outcomes.
• Document care thoroughly to support reimbursement and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate effectively with peers, other clinical disciplines, and the patient care team; communicate, provide feedback, and resolve conflicts constructively.
• Attend staff meetings, agency in-services, educational activities, and interdisciplinary case conferences as appropriate to employment status.
• Recognize clinical changes and the need for reassessment, alert appropriate clinicians and the supervisor, and discuss proposed plan-of-care changes with the supervising therapist before implementation.
• Prioritize and organize patient care, communicate clearly using techniques such as SBAR and 5P’s, and establish supervisory visits and follow-up communication.
• Support discharge planning and coordinate post-discharge care with the supervising therapist; communicate therapy status to the interdisciplinary team as appropriate.
• Support patient care plans, coordinate with others to promote efficiency and conserve resources, and monitor resource use.
• Assess patient and family readiness to learn, adapt teaching approaches, and use appropriate materials, health literacy, and adult learning principles.
• Adhere to personnel and operational policies and scheduled work commitments, and attend mandatory informational, educational, and branch meetings.
• Travel throughout the assigned geographical area and provide treatment and assistance with patient mobility and transfers in home settings.

Benefits

• Paid time off programs.
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and short- and long-term disability benefits.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses.
• Adoption assistance and paid parental leave.
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs.
• Educational Assistance Program.
• Competitive compensation, premium pay for select shifts or on-call work, incentive pay for select positions, and the opportunity for annual performance-based increases.
• Career development programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed