Physical Therapy Technician

UMC Health System

19h•Onsite

About The Position

The Physical Therapy Technician is responsible for assisting Occupational Therapists (OT), Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTA), Physical Therapists (PT), Physical Therapist Assistants (PTA), and OT/OTA and PT/PTA students with patient treatments. This role also involves maintaining inventory of equipment and supplies, performing housekeeping duties, and other assigned tasks within an acute setting. The technician must adhere to policies, procedures, and standards of practice as defined by various professional associations and institutional manuals, including the American Occupational Therapy Association, Texas State Occupational Therapy Practice Act, American Physical Therapy Association, Texas State Physical Therapy Practice Act, DNV, UMC Standard Policy and Procedure Manual, and PM&R Policy and Procedure Manual. The position is within UMC Health System, which is recognized as one of the Best Companies to Work for in Texas®.

Requirements

High School Diploma or equivalent
Basic Life Support Certification (CPR) after the first 90 days.
Should speak intelligently and in a professional manner before others, demonstrate good public relations, demonstrate assertiveness, flexibility and tact.
Perform technical procedures as assigned by the therapist.
Have ability and competence to operate necessary equipment.
Must be able to instill confidence in patients, physicians, and personnel.
Adapt to emergency conditions.
Be alert to changes in the patient’s condition.
Demonstrate economic use of time.
Know techniques of assisting and handling patients.
Understand Departmental/Facility policies, procedures, and regulations.
Be aware of inter/intradepartmental communication.
Must display a professional attitude at all times, be thoughtful of others, neat and well groomed.
Should have the flexibility to schedule around the afore mentioned services if needed and have the ability to organize time in order to treat the maximum number of patients in the allotted working day.
Should also offer help to co-workers when down time is experienced.

Nice To Haves

No previous hospital experience is required but preferred.
Computer experience preferred, but not required.

Responsibilities

Monitors patients in routine exercise programs including passive, active assistive, active and Resistive ROM programs as instructed by the PT/PTA or OT/OTA
Monitors patients in gait training activities, using any weight bearing precautions, and using assistive equipment as instructed by the therapist
Assists the therapist with monitoring patient safety while performing ADL’s and transfers.
Performs modalities appropriately as directed by the PT/PTA or OT/OTA and be aware of major precautions and contraindications for modalities including but not limited to continuous passive motion (CPM) machines, hot and cold treatments, coban wrap, paraffin baths, fluidotherapy, whirlpool, ultrasound and splint checks.
Monitors patient transfers and be able to perform transfers in a safe manner while using proper body mechanics and assist PT/PTA or OT/OTA as needed.
Performs routine daily/weekly or monthly housekeeping duties including but not limited to cleaning patient care areas with disinfectant after patient use, disposing of soiled linens properly, and maintaining storage areas in a neat and orderly fashion.
Completes daily tasks as assigned to include but not limited to charge sheets, updating daily patient lists, discussion with nursing staff to prepare patient for PT/PTA or OT/OTA treatments, and prepare patient for next PT/PTA or OT/OTA session.
Assists in assembling weekly and daily supply orders and will maintain the proper level of supplies/inventory in the department.
Must communicate patient responses to treatment both verbally and in writing to PT/PTA or OT/OTA.