Physical Therapy Assistant

PACS

About The Position

The Staff Physical Therapist Assistant assists the Staff Physical Therapist with resident-related activities and direct resident care. The assistant treats residents as directed by the Physical Therapist, communicates routinely with the supervising therapist about residents’ progress, goals, and discharge planning, and helps keep physicians, nursing staff, the interdisciplinary team, residents, and families informed. The role includes maintaining accurate and compliant documentation, a safe treatment environment, resident confidentiality, and equipment in good working order. The assistant also supports restorative aide training, participates in resident care conferences or rehabilitation meetings as needed, provides staff in-services when needed, and contributes to quality assurance, performance improvement, and rehabilitation program development as assigned. Residents, families, and caregivers are educated on treatment goals, exercise and maintenance programs, safety techniques, and fall prevention. The assistant may recommend and facilitate ordering durable medical equipment to support residents’ mobility and independence.

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 mathematical concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Ability to solve practical problems and interpret instructions provided in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
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.
Maintain additional certification as determined appropriate by the facility.
CPR certification, if required by licensure.
Ability to stand and walk frequently and sit occasionally, and to occasionally climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl as needed for resident care and equipment operation.
Ability to reach, push, pull, lift, and manipulate objects and equipment, with exertion that may occasionally exceed 100 pounds, frequently exceed 50 pounds, or constantly exceed 20 pounds.
Ability to talk and hear effectively, perceive and respond to tactile, auditory, and visual environmental cues, and assist, support, and transport residents using safe resident handling practices.

Responsibilities

Treat residents as directed by the Physical Therapist.
Complete timely, accurate, and compliant documentation in accordance with 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/or 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 provide 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 necessary durable medical equipment to support resident mobility and independence.
Maintain confidentiality of residents’ and company information.
Report department equipment problems so equipment 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.