Physical Therapy Assistant I

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center•Los Angeles, CA

20d

About The Position

The Physical Therapy Assistant I treats patients using therapy modalities and procedures prescribed by physicians and included in the treatment established by the Physical Therapist. The role provides care consistent with ethical standards, plans for patient care, corporate compliance, performance improvement, and patient education. It includes communicating with patients and care teams, contributing to team and family conferences, supporting divisional growth and cohesion, and assisting with student education or training. The assistant provides individualized, patient-centered care that respects patients’ personal, cultural, and spiritual beliefs and preferences, as well as age-related cognitive and psychosocial needs, social support needs, gender, sexual orientation, and economic background. The role includes completing accurate and timely documentation, identifying and coordinating discharge needs with the Physical Therapist and care team, addressing safety concerns, reviewing therapy risks and benefits, and obtaining patient or caregiver consent. The position also contributes to continuous process and quality improvement, participates in professional activities within the clinical setting and community, and pursues ongoing clinical and professional development, including education, mentoring, research, and scholarly work.

Requirements

Associate degree or college diploma.
Completion of formal education or training from an accredited institution leading to or required for a Physical Therapy Assistant license.
No experience required; must be competent through training and/or experience to implement treatment plans and provide education appropriate to the patient’s age.
California State license as a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA).
Basic Life Support (BLS).

Responsibilities

Treat patients using therapy modalities and procedures according to physician prescriptions and treatment established by the Physical Therapist.
Provide patient care consistent with ethical standards, patient-care plans, corporate compliance, performance improvement, and patient education plans.
Provide appropriate patient education and individualized, patient-centered care that respects patients’ needs, beliefs, and preferences.
Communicate with sensitivity and attention to diverse cultural backgrounds, age, developmental issues, and physical disabilities.
Report on team and/or patient family conferences as applicable.
Assist with divisional growth and cohesiveness and support high-quality patient care.
Assist in the education and/or training of students.
Complete required documentation accurately, thoroughly, and within expected timeframes.
Identify and facilitate patient discharge needs, including documentation, care-team communication, and follow-up service recommendations in conjunction with the Physical Therapist.
Identify patient-safety concerns and implement measures to maintain a safe environment and protect patients, self, and others.
Review therapy risks and benefits and obtain consent from the patient and/or caregiver.
Contribute ideas and suggestions to improve processes, procedures, methods, and productivity, and use quality principles for continuous performance improvement.
Participate in activities promoting professional identity in the clinical environment, Cedars-Sinai, and the community.
Participate in professional development through clinical education, formal mentoring, development of clinical and professional competencies, research, and scholarly work.
Participate in continuous learning and professional development and document evidence of such development.