PTA

Veritas Skilled Nursing Management•El Paso, TX

57d•$32 - $35•Onsite

About The Position

The Physical Therapist Assistant, under the supervision of the Physical Therapist, provides direct rehab care to patients upon completion of the evaluation and plan of care, following all regulatory and clinical practices requirements. This role involves performing initial and ongoing physical therapy evaluations, providing rehabilitative, skilled, and medically necessary treatment interventions, and evaluating patient mobility, strength, and current level of function. The PTA will work closely with patients, family members, and other care team members to plan for patient needs and set realistic goals. They will administer various procedures as part of the rehabilitation plan, assess patient progress, and communicate effectively with the supervising Physical Therapist and other health team members. The position also includes charting appropriately, making independent decisions when warranted, utilizing good body mechanics, and assisting in patient evacuations. The PTA must demonstrate dependability, excellent customer service, clinical skill, and a positive attitude, and be able to lift a minimum of 35 pounds and safely transfer patients.

Requirements

Must be able to read, write, speak and understand the English language.
Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, patients, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel and the general public.
Must have patience, tact, cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as be willing to handle patients based on whatever maturity level at which they are currently functioning.
Must possess the ability to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing services.
Must be able to relate information concerning a patient’s condition.
Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.
Must be able to move continuously throughout the work day.
Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
Must possess sight/hearing senses or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so that the requirements of this position can be fully met.
Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with patients, personnel and support agencies.
Must be able to relate to and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at times, hostile people within the facility.
Must be able to lift up to 35 pounds.
Requires pushing, pulling, lifting, kneeling, squatting, crawling, stooping, bending, walking and the ability move freely from one position to another.
May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.
Current PTA License/Certification.
CPR/BLS Certification.

Responsibilities

Perform initial and ongoing physical therapy evaluations according to standards of practice as well as State standards.
Provide rehabilitative, skilled and medically necessary treatment intervention to patients with physical functioning disorders per regulatory and clinical practice requirements under the supervision and direction of a Physical Therapist.
Evaluate mobility, strength and current level of patient function, while setting goals to improve in these areas that are scaled to patient abilities and realistically obtainable.
Work closely with patients, family members and other care team members to adequately plan for patient needs, to include short term and long term goals.
Administer various procedures as part of the rehabilitation plan including but not limited to: manual techniques; ambulation; therapeutic exercises; modalities; use of supportive and assistive devices; etc. Under the supervision and direction of a Physical Therapist.
Assess patient’s progress and communicate with supervising Physical Therapist to adjust treatments accordingly in the clinical record per regulatory and clinical practice requirements.
Report effectiveness of treatment outcomes to supervising Physical Therapist.
Provide consultation and counseling to patients, as well as families, caregivers and other service providers related to the physical disorders.
Effectively communicate with supervisor and other health team members regarding patient progress, barriers, and treatment plans.
Provide input to supervisor for discharge summary of services provided per regulatory and clinical requirements.
Participate in required meetings including but not limited to: patient care conferences, utilization review meetings, rehabilitation meetings, etc.
Chart appropriately and daily, to include therapy notes, treatment times and labor hours.
Make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such actions.
Utilize good body mechanics at all times.
Make safe, independent decisions when circumstances arise.
Be knowledgeable of physical therapy policies and procedures as well as the laws and regulations.
Understand and comply with company policies.
Assist in the evacuation of patients.
Demonstrate dependability and regular attendance.
Maintain an excellent working relationship within the Therapy team and cross functionally.
Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals in accordance with the facility’s policies and procedures governing accidents and incidents.
Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the facility.
Attend and participate in continuing educational programs designed to keep you abreast of changes in your profession, as well as to maintain any applicable licenses.
Attend meetings and in-services as required.
Complete assigned Relias training timely.
Recommend to the DOR equipment and supply needs for the department.
Make periodic rounds to check equipment and to assure that necessary equipment is available and working properly.
Clean equipment.
Check supply rooms to assure that needed supplies are on hand.
Ensure that all therapy equipment is operating in a safe manner.
Ensure that therapy supplies are used in an efficient manner to avoid waste.
Ensure that appropriate cleaning supplies are on hand to perform necessary clean-up.
Assist in the development of preliminary and comprehensive assessments of the therapy needs of each patient.
Develop and maintain a good rapport with all services involved with the care plan to ensure that a team effort is achieved in developing a comprehensive plan of care.
Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information.
Know and practice the Center’s policy on patient/residents rights.
Ensure that appropriate protective clothing/devices are on hand and used for handling infectious waste and/or blood/body fluids.
Flexibility with schedule to cover the needs of the department.