PTA

Veritas Skilled Nursing Management•El Paso, TX

5d•$32 - $35

About The Position

The Physical Therapist Assistant, under the supervision of the Physical Therapist, provides direct rehab care in to patients upon completion of the evaluation and plan of care following all regulatory and clinical practices requirements. Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is an essential function of the position.

Requirements

Current PTA License/Certification
CPR/BLS Certification

Responsibilities

Perform initial and ongoing physical therapy evaluations according to standards of practice as well as State standards
Provide rehabilitative, skilled and medically necessary treatment intervention to patients with physical functioning disorders per regulatory and clinical practice requirements under the supervision and direction of a Physical Therapist.
Evaluate mobility, strength and current level of patient function, while setting goals to improve in these areas that are scaled to patient abilities and realistically obtainable
Work closely with patients, family members and other care team members to adequately plan for patient needs, to include short term and long term goals
Administer various procedures as part of the rehabilitation plan including but not limited to: manual techniques; ambulation; therapeutic exercises; modalities; use of supportive and assistive devices; etc. Under the supervision and direction of a Physical Therapist.
Assess patient’s progress and communicate with supervising Physical Therapist to adjust treatments accordingly in the clinical record per regulatory and clinical practice requirements.
Report effectiveness of treatment outcomes to supervising Physical Therapist.
Provide consultation and counseling to patients, as well as families, caregivers and other service providers related to the physical disorders.
Effectively communicate with supervisor and other health team members regarding patient progress, barriers, and treatment plans.
Provide input to supervisor for discharge summary of services provided per regulatory and clinical requirements.
Participation in required meetings including but not limited to: patient care conferences, utilization review meetings, rehabilitation meetings, etc.
Chart appropriately and daily, to include therapy notes, treatment times and labor hours
Make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such actions
Must utilize good body mechanics at all times
Must be able to make safe, independent decisions when circumstances arise
Must be knowledgeable of physical therapy policies and procedures as well as the laws and regulations
Understands and complies with company policies
Must be able to assist in the evacuation of patients
Must demonstrate dependability and regular attendance
Must have excellent customer service, clinical skill, and communication and positive attitude
Be able to lift a minimum of 35 pounds, safely transfer patients, and participate in staff training related to safe patient handling
Must be able to work effectively and productively
Maintain an excellent working relationship within the Therapy team and cross functionally
Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals in accordance with the facility’s policies and procedures governing accidents and incidents
Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the facility
Attend and participate in continuing educational programs designed to keep you abreast of changes in your profession, as well as to maintain any applicable licenses
Attend meetings and in-services as required
Complete assigned Relias training timely
Recommend to the DOR equipment and supply needs for the department
Make periodic rounds to check equipment and to assure that necessary equipment is available and working properly
Clean equipment
Check supply rooms to assure that needed supplies are on hand
Ensure that all therapy equipment is operating in a safe manner
Ensure that therapy supplies are used in an efficient manner to avoid waste
Ensure that appropriate cleaning supplies are on hand to perform necessary clean-up
Assist in the development of preliminary and comprehensive assessments of the therapy needs of each patient
Develop and maintain a good rapport with all services involved with the care plan to ensure that a team effort is achieved in developing a comprehensive plan of care
Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information
Know and practice the Center’s policy on patient/residents rights
Be sure that appropriate protective clothing/devices are on hand and used for handling infectious waste and/or blood/body fluids
Flexibility with schedule to cover the needs of the department
Communicate with the medical staff, nursing services, and other department supervisors
Work beyond normal working hours, on weekends and in other positions temporarily, when necessary
Subject to call-back during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post- disaster, etc.)
Subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the day, as well as to reactions from dust, disinfectants, and other air contaminants
Subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc.
May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals
Must be able to read, write, speak and understand the English language
Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action
Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, patients, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel and the general public
Must have patience, tact, cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as be willing to handle patients based on whatever maturity level at which they are currently functioning
Must possess the ability to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing services
Must be able to relate information concerning a patient’s condition
Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace
Must be able to move continuously throughout the work day
Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position
Must possess sight/hearing senses or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so that the requirements of this position can be fully met
Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with patients, personnel and support agencies
Must be able to relate to and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at times, hostile people within the facility
Must be able to lift up to 35 pounds. Requires pushing, pulling, lifting, kneeling, squatting, crawling, stooping, bending, walking and the ability move freely from one position to another
May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations