PRN Physical Therapist Assistant

PACS

20d

About The Position

The Staff Physical Therapist Assistant assists the Staff Physical Therapist with resident-related activities and direct resident care. The role provides treatments as directed by the Physical Therapist, maintains accurate and compliant documentation, and supports a safe treatment environment by following infection-control, safety, and equipment-maintenance protocols. The assistant communicates routinely with the supervising Physical Therapist about resident progress, goals, and discharge planning, and helps educate residents, families, and caregivers on treatment goals, exercise and maintenance programs, safety, and fall prevention. The position also involves participation in care conferences and rehabilitation meetings as needed, training support for nursing and facility staff, recommendations for durable medical equipment, and contributions to quality assurance and rehabilitation-program development. The employee must maintain confidentiality and a current, good-standing state PTA license.

Requirements

Associate Degree from an accredited PTA program.
Proficiency with computer skills, including entering data into programs such as Net Health and Point Click Care.
Ability to read technical procedures and comprehend policy and procedure manuals.
Ability to present information effectively and respond to questions from managers, coworkers, and families.
Ability to apply fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Ability to solve practical problems and interpret written, oral, diagrammatic, or scheduled instructions.
Licensed as a Physical Therapist Assistant in the state.
Meet continuing education requirements according to state practices and maintain a license in good standing with the state board.
CPR certification if required by licensure.
Ability to meet the position's physical demands, including standing and walking frequently; occasional sitting, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling; reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, and manipulating objects and equipment; and assisting, supporting, and transporting residents using safe resident-handling practices.
Ability to communicate by talking and hearing and to perceive and respond to tactile, auditory, and visual environmental cues.

Nice To Haves

Additional certification as appropriate per facility.

Responsibilities

Treat residents as directed by the Physical Therapist.
Complete timely, accurate, and compliant documentation according to facility, governmental, and third-party payer requirements.
Maintain a safe treatment environment by following infection-control, safety, and equipment-maintenance protocols.
Participate in Resident Care conferences and rehabilitation meetings as needed.
For California PTAs, comply with California Laws and Regulations related to Physical Rehabilitation Manual Article 4 § 1398.44.
Assist the nursing department with training Restorative Aides.
Communicate routinely with the supervising Physical Therapist to support timely updates to physicians, nursing staff, the interdisciplinary team, residents, and families regarding progress, goals, and discharge planning.
Provide in-services on training programs for other facility staff as needed.
Educate residents, families, and caregivers on treatment goals, home exercise programs, maintenance programs, safety techniques, and fall-prevention strategies.
Recommend and facilitate ordering durable medical equipment to support residents' mobility and independence, such as splints, walkers, canes, elevated toilet seats, and grab bars.
Maintain confidentiality of resident and company information.
Report problems with department equipment so it can be maintained in good working order.
Contribute to quality assurance, performance-improvement initiatives, and facility rehabilitation-program development as assigned.
Relate positively, effectively, and appropriately with residents, families, staff, and professional colleagues.