Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) – Mobile/Home-Based Care

West Coast Wound•San Diego, CA

11d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a skilled, compassionate, and dependable Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) to provide high-quality physical therapy services to patients in their homes throughout the San Diego, CA region. The PTA works under the direction and supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist to provide skilled therapeutic interventions, implement established plans of care, monitor patient response and progress, reinforce home exercise programs, and educate patients and caregivers on strategies to improve mobility, function, safety, and independence. The role involves traveling to patients’ homes, adapting treatment to each home environment and patient’s needs, and managing a mobile caseload. The PTA practices within the scope of the California PTA license and applicable supervision requirements, follows the supervising Physical Therapist’s established plan of care, communicates patient progress and significant changes, and completes accurate and timely clinical documentation. This is a full-time 1099 independent contractor position with a four-day, 10-hour-per-day schedule.

Requirements

Current and valid Physical Therapist Assistant license in good standing.
Graduate of an accredited Physical Therapist Assistant program.
Strong knowledge of anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, biomechanics, therapeutic exercise, and rehabilitation principles.
Strong understanding of physical therapy treatment techniques and functional mobility principles.
Ability to safely and effectively implement a Physical Therapist’s established plan of care.
Knowledge of therapeutic exercise, gait and balance training, functional mobility, neuromuscular re-education, strengthening, transfer training, and fall prevention.
Strong observation and patient monitoring skills.
Ability to recognize and appropriately communicate changes in patient condition or functional status.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work independently, manage a mobile patient caseload, and maintain appropriate communication with the supervising Physical Therapist.
Punctual, dependable, organized, and professional.
Comfortable entering patients’ homes and providing care in a home-based environment with patients and caregivers.
Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
Ability to travel throughout the assigned service area.
Ability to arrive within scheduled visit timeframes, manage travel and an efficient daily schedule, transport clinical equipment and supplies, and adapt treatment to different home environments.
Ability to demonstrate sound clinical judgment within the PTA’s scope of practice while working independently in the community.
Ability to practice within the scope of a California Physical Therapist Assistant license and applicable supervision requirements and follow the established plan of care.

Nice To Haves

CPR/BLS certification, preferred or required according to company policy.
Previous home health, mobile therapy, outpatient, orthopedic, neurological, geriatric, or community-based experience.

Responsibilities

Travel to patients’ homes throughout the assigned service area to provide physical therapy treatment under the direction of the supervising Physical Therapist.
Review each patient’s established plan of care, treatment goals, precautions, and relevant clinical information before treatment.
Provide skilled interventions under the Physical Therapist’s plan of care, including therapeutic exercises and activities, neuromuscular re-education, gait and mobility training, balance and coordination training, functional strengthening, transfer training, fall prevention, and manual therapy when appropriate and within scope.
Help patients improve strength, range of motion, balance, coordination, endurance, gait, mobility, and functional performance.
Train patients in the safe and appropriate use of assistive devices, such as walkers, canes, and other mobility equipment, as directed by the Physical Therapist.
Implement and reinforce individualized home exercise programs established by the Physical Therapist.
Educate patients and caregivers about exercises, mobility strategies, safety precautions, fall prevention, positioning, transfers, and independence-promoting strategies.
Monitor patient response to treatment and recognize changes in pain, function, mobility, tolerance, or overall condition.
Communicate significant changes, treatment response, progress, concerns, and barriers to the supervising Physical Therapist in a timely manner; provide feedback on progress and response to the plan of care.
Assist the Physical Therapist with reassessments and follow-up activities as appropriate and permitted within the PTA’s scope of practice.
Modify treatment activities within the established plan of care as appropriate and within scope, communicating clinically significant changes to the supervising Physical Therapist.
Reinforce body mechanics, transfer techniques, positioning, and safety strategies with patients and caregivers.
Adapt treatment to the patient’s home environment, available space and equipment, functional abilities, and individual needs while following the established plan of care.
Coordinate and communicate professionally with Physical Therapists, physicians, nurses, caregivers, occupational therapists, and other healthcare professionals as appropriate.
Communicate promptly about patient concerns, cancellations, scheduling changes, and other issues affecting care.
Complete accurate, timely, and thorough daily treatment notes and other required clinical documentation, including interventions, patient response, progress toward goals, education, home exercise instruction, communications, and changes in condition.
Maintain compliance with applicable federal and state regulations, professional standards, payer requirements, PTA supervision requirements, and company policies.
Maintain patient confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries.
Provide compassionate, respectful, and professional care to patients and families in the home setting.
Arrive for scheduled visits within the expected timeframe, manage travel time and the daily schedule, and carry and transport necessary clinical equipment and supplies.
Respect patients’ homes, privacy, routines, and individual preferences, and maintain a safe, professional environment during each visit.