Physical Therapy Assistant - Outpatient

WellSpan Health•Chambersburg, PA

About The Position

The Physical Therapy Assistant works under the direction of a Clinical Manager to assist with assessing, planning, and implementing physical therapy for patients. The role also supports the operational aspects of the therapy unit in collaboration with the Clinical Manager and contributes to the Physical Medicine Department, hospital, and American Physical Therapy Association through support of their philosophy, objectives, educational efforts, and research efforts. The assistant is responsible for supervising subordinate staff, students, and volunteers as delegated by department administrative personnel. Travel between clinical sites may be required to assist in providing care. The position emphasizes productivity, service excellence, and technical skill. The assistant organizes and adapts daily work to support efficient patient care, documents services, collaborates with patients and families, and delivers treatment appropriate to patient needs and response. The assistant also educates and mentors patients, families, staff, students, and the community, and responds appropriately to emergencies.

Requirements

Associate degree in Physical Therapy from an accredited program.
Experience applying customer service behaviors and communication skills.
Licensed as a Physical Therapy Assistant in Pennsylvania or eligible for Pennsylvania licensure.
CPR certification required.

Responsibilities

Organize and manage daily tasks, schedules, and treatment sessions to support productivity and patient needs.
Adapt treatment plans and work practices to available resources, patient needs, insurance coverage, and clinical response.
Complete documentation in real time when possible and otherwise in a timely manner, including treatment provided, patient response, relevant communication, education, and progress.
Delegate tasks to support personnel and supervise subordinate staff, students, and volunteers as assigned.
Provide patient and family education and involve patients in their plan of care and treatment process.
Comply with billing regulations and bill appropriately for services provided.
Implement orthopedic, neurologic, acute care, rehabilitation, and other appropriate treatment plans, including modalities, manual approaches, and therapeutic exercise.
Use orthotics, prosthetics, assistive devices, and vital-sign monitoring, and manage patients with IV tubes, NG tubes, PEG lines, and supplemental oxygen.
Identify when a therapist or physician should reassess a patient and communicate potential treatment-plan modifications when appropriate.
Educate and mentor patients, families, staff, clinical students, and the community.
Recognize emergency situations and respond appropriately.
Travel between clinical sites when required to assist in providing care.