Physical Therapist Assistant

Mercy Hospital • Durango, CO

26d • $26 - $42 • Onsite

About The Position

The inpatient acute Physical Therapist Assistant provides a continuum of treatment for patients with neuromuscular, orthopedic, and other physically related disorders under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The role uses the rehabilitation process to promote and restore patients’ health and well-being through therapeutic interventions, including strengthening exercises, modalities, manual therapy, neuromuscular re-education, and activities-of-daily-living training. The assistant follows the physical therapist’s plan of care, implements treatments, monitors and documents patient progress, and communicates with the supervising therapist about patient status and treatment needs. Professional responsibilities also include documentation, program development, teaching, and continued development of clinical skills.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree in Physical Therapy.
• Physical Therapy Assistant licensure.
• Basic Life Support certification from the American Heart Association.
• Valid driver’s license for positions within home health only.

Nice To Haves

• Previous direct patient-care work experience in an outpatient, inpatient, or inpatient rehabilitation unit.
• Ability to perform basic treatments for orthopedic, neurological, and medical patients.
• Prior use of electronic medical records (EMR).

Responsibilities

• Carry out corrective treatment programs for assigned patients as determined by an evaluating physical therapist and under a physical therapist’s supervision.
• Implement therapy activities with measurable goals and time frames under the direction of a physical therapist.
• Perform therapeutic interventions as appropriate to patient needs, including activities-of-daily-living retraining; home-safety education; adaptive equipment and compensation techniques; coordination, strengthening, and therapeutic exercise programs; manual therapy; therapeutic activities; aquatic therapy; and neuromuscular re-education.
• Communicate with the supervising physical therapist about patient status, the need for reevaluation, and possible modifications to the treatment plan, goals, or patient training and education.
• Document according to department and Health Information Management guidelines and policies, using correct grammar, spelling, abbreviations, and medical terminology.
• Communicate effectively with patients, families, superiors, staff, physicians, and other customers about physical medicine and rehabilitation services, while respecting confidentiality.
• Participate in professional responsibilities including documentation, program development, teaching, and ongoing clinical skill development.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: Associate degree