Physical Therapy Assistant

Alternate Solutions Health Network•Indianapolis, IN

14d•Onsite

About The Position

The Physical Therapist Assistant I (PTA) provides comprehensive skilled services under the direction of a Physical Therapist. The PTA educates patients and family members, promotes patient safety, completes accurate clinical documentation, and complies with applicable legal requirements and regulations. The company follows the state-defined scope of practice for licensed physical therapist assistants. This position provides services in patients’ homes throughout Greater Indianapolis and Central Indiana, including Indianapolis and surrounding communities in Hendricks, Putnam, Johnson, Shelby, and Morgan counties. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. A $5,000 sign-on bonus is offered. The PTA follows the physical therapist’s plan of care and works with patients to relieve pain, restore or maintain function, and improve functional status. The role includes patient and family education, coordination with care team members, timely documentation, travel to scheduled visits, and participation in agency meetings, training, case conferences, and on-call requirements.

Requirements

At least one year of experience as a Physical Therapist Assistant in an acute setting.
Current Physical Therapist Assistant license in the state of employment.
Valid driver’s license and auto insurance listing the employee as a driver.
Ability to communicate effectively and create positive impressions with patients, families, physicians, and coworkers.
Knowledge of therapy best practices.
Ability to make appropriate physical therapy judgments and identify situations and handle them with an appropriate solution.
Detail-oriented and observant.
Disciplined work ethic, with the ability to prioritize and be timely.
Ability to meet the described physical demands, with or without reasonable accommodation, including walking, bending, standing, sitting, driving, lifting up to 50 pounds with or without assistance, reaching, climbing, hand/finger dexterity, and stooping.
English reading, speaking, and writing; communication skills; and computer/PDA use.

Nice To Haves

Home care experience.

Responsibilities

Provide skilled services in patients’ homes according to the Physical Therapist’s plan of care.
Observe, record, and report patient reactions, changes, and progress.
Perform prescribed physical therapy procedures and diagnostic tests.
Treat patients to relieve pain, develop or restore function, and maintain performance using physical means such as exercise, massage, heat, and water.
Assess functional problems and provide interventions in coordination with the Physical Therapist to improve patient functional status.
Communicate effectively with physicians, therapists, coworkers, and schedulers about changes as needed.
Participate in case conferences and case conferencing to coordinate care.
Recommend prosthetic or orthotic devices, evaluate patients’ devices, make minor adjustments, or recommend modifications.
Educate staff in specific physical therapy modalities when appropriate.
Educate patients and families about therapy techniques, safety measures, and supportive activities.
Instruct patients and family members in proper use of equipment such as wheelchairs, braces, walkers, crutches, canes, and other prosthetic or orthotic devices.
Listen to patients and family members and foster independence to help prevent dependence on the agency.
Complete clinical documentation according to agency protocol and Medicare/Federal guidelines, documenting treatment, assessments, and patient education.
Complete chart audits at the agency location when requested.
Participate in all on-call requirements and case conferences as needed.
Attend in-service training and mandatory agency meetings.
Participate in orientation and training of new employees.
Drive to patients’ primary locations for scheduled visits and attend assigned visit locations daily.
Document subsequent, discharge, evaluation/recertification, and resumption-of-care visits within 24 hours; submit all required documentation within company deadlines.
Follow the plan of care within the scope of practice for a Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant in the state of employment.
Perform other duties as assigned.