Physical Therapy Assist PTA Home Health Care

Advocate Health and Hospitals Corporation•Oak Lawn, IL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) provides home health therapy in the Chicago South and Southwest service area, including Pilsen, North Lawndale, West Midway, South Shore, communities extending east to Lake Michigan and south to 79th Street, and the listed ZIP codes. The role works within the parameters established by the supervising therapist to deliver individualized care, support patient and family education, document services, and coordinate with the broader care team. The position requires extensive travel to patient homes and branch office, with work also taking place in assisted living facilities. The PTA develops restorative relationships with patients and families, adapts communication and treatment to their needs, recognizes when reassessment or consultation is needed, and contributes to safe, evidence-based, cost-effective care. The role participates in quality improvement, professional development, interdisciplinary coordination, and efforts to use resources effectively. The position is full time, 40 hours per week, with a Monday–Friday schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; rotating weekends and holidays may also be required. The listed pay range is $26.55–$39.85 per hour. A $5,000 sign-on bonus is available to eligible external candidates only, subject to the stated conditions.

Requirements

Physical Therapist Assistant; licensed in Illinois or eligible for Illinois licensure.
Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by 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 demonstrated strong spectrum of clinical affiliation experience.
Basic computer knowledge, 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.
If not already certified, ability to become certified within six months of employment.
Ability to provide or arrange transportation to and from patients’ homes and the branch office.
Ability to work rotating weekends and holidays and adhere to scheduled workdays and hours based on patient commitments and assigned workload.
Ability to perform the physical demands of the role, including bending, sitting, standing, climbing stairs while carrying objects, pushing, pulling, reaching, carrying, lifting, assisting patient ambulation and transfers, and providing treatment on standard beds.
Ability to lift or carry at least 25 pounds and lift up to 35 pounds without assistance; use patient-handling equipment with at least one other associate, when available, for patient lifts over 35 pounds or when a patient cannot assist.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain restorative relationships with patients and families, adapting communication and care to individual needs.
Deliver individualized treatment within the supervising therapist’s plan of care and use approved interventions to achieve established outcomes.
Identify the need for further assessment or changes in clinical status and notify the appropriate clinician or supervisor; consult the supervising therapist before implementing plan-of-care changes.
Assess patient and family readiness for treatment and learning, involve them in care, and promote safe self-care, disease-process knowledge, and infection prevention.
Provide patient and family education using appropriate resources, health-literacy practices, and adult-learning principles.
Document care thoroughly to support reimbursement and regulatory requirements.
Use evidence-based standards, participate in quality and process improvement, and promote patient safety and risk reduction.
Coordinate patient care with the interdisciplinary team, communicate using techniques such as SBAR and 5P’s, and participate in case conferences as appropriate to employment status.
Establish supervisory visits and follow-up communication; support discharge planning and coordinate post-discharge care with the supervising therapist.
Participate in staff meetings, agency in-services, and educational activities; maintain current practice knowledge and develop professional skills.
Support productivity, follow personnel and operational policies, coordinate resources, and help maximize efficiency and conserve resources.
Travel within the assigned service area to patient homes and the branch office, and attend mandatory informational, educational, and branch meetings.