Physical Therapy Assistant

Spire Orthopedic Partners•Gloucester, MA

20d•Onsite

About The Position

The Physical Therapy Assistant works under the direct supervision of a Physical Therapist in an outpatient orthopedic setting. The role treats a variety of orthopedic injuries, including pre- and postsurgical conditions, and works closely with Orthopedic Surgeons, Physical Therapists, Athletic Trainers, and other staff to support injury management, rehabilitation, and patients’ return to function. The assistant reviews physical therapy documentation and medical records, monitors patient status, gathers and compares clinical data, and follows the safety parameters and plan of care established by the Physical Therapist. The role provides appropriate physical therapy interventions, maintains patient safety, privacy, rights, and dignity, and communicates significant changes or concerns to the Physical Therapist. Patient care must be documented accurately and in a timely manner in accordance with institutional, legal, and billing requirements. The practice is Sports Medicine North at the Gloucester Core Office. The stated schedule is Monday and Wednesday, 7 a.m.–4 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; and Friday, 7 a.m.–11 a.m. Spire Orthopedic Partners is a network of orthopedic practices with more than 165 physicians, 1,800 employees, 285 other clinical providers, and 40 locations across New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Successful completion of a Massachusetts- or APTA-accredited Physical Therapist Assistant program.
Must possess Massachusetts licensure upon hire.
Knowledge of HIPAA and other regulatory policies.
Knowledge of insurance regulations, policies, and procedures.
Knowledge of medical office procedures, policies, practices, medical terminology, telephone protocol, and professional etiquette.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Extensive customer service experience.
Proven ability to multitask.
Computer skills and proficiency with Windows-based software.
Strong problem-solving skills and ability to think quickly, professionally, and efficiently.
Ability to represent the organization in a professional manner.

Nice To Haves

Background in sports medicine and/or professional experience in an outpatient orthopedic environment.
Experience with electronic medical systems, including Athena/Centricity, Medi-Tech, or similar systems.

Responsibilities

Read physical therapy documentation, including the initial examination and plan of care, and note indications, contraindications, precautions, safety considerations, goals, and expected outcomes; seek clarification as needed.
Review the medical record at each visit and monitor for changes in medical status or procedures.
Collect data on the patient’s current condition, compare it with previously collected data and safety parameters, and determine whether those parameters have been met.
Seek clarification from appropriate health professionals about unfamiliar or ambiguous information.
Identify interventions beyond the scope of the role or personal competence and communicate significant changes in patient status, physician referral, or case complexity to the Physical Therapist.
Explain how selected interventions support the patient goals in the plan of care.
Provide physical therapy interventions in accordance with licensing requirements, APTA standards, and facility policies and procedures.
Maintain patient and personal safety, identify and address safety risks, and use risk-management strategies such as universal precautions and proper body mechanics.
Protect patient privacy, rights, dignity, and modesty, and follow HIPAA privacy and security procedures.
Follow safety, CPR, and emergency procedures.
Provide interventions including therapeutic exercise; balance, coordination, and agility training; body mechanics and postural stabilization; flexibility exercises; gait and locomotion training; neuromotor development training; relaxation; strength, power, and endurance training; functional self-care and home-management training; manual therapy; and application or adjustment of assistive devices, physical agents, and electrotherapeutic modalities.
Document patient care accurately, completely, legibly, and promptly in writing or electronically, consistent with institutional, legal, and billing requirements.