Home Health Physical Therapy Assistant

Responsibilities

• Provides and progresses patient treatment based on therapist's evaluation and plan of care, including patient education, exercise, gait training, mobility and transfer skills, balance and coordination activities, use of modalities, soft‑tissue/joint mobilization, and orthotic/prosthetic training.
• Manages own caseload, including scheduling and informing supervisor of coverage needs.
• Teaches appropriate treatment procedures and supportive activities to patients and caregivers and develops plans for obtaining adaptive devices as needed.
• Provides ongoing assessment of the patient’s response to treatments and teaching.
• Discusses caseload issues and changes in case census with the supervisor and communicates problems so a plan of action can be developed.
• Plans for patient discharge, including providing written home programs, educating the patient and family, and ordering equipment under the direction of the supervising therapist.
• Maintains and updates accurate clinical and patient records according to agency, state, and federal guidelines.
• Interprets information concerning agency services and programs to patients and families.
• Cleans up after patient treatment, putting away equipment and keeping the area neat and orderly.
• Follows published policies and procedures and regularly monitors changes or additions to them.
• Performs various patient positioning and transporting duties, which require lifting and pushing/pulling, while utilizing proper technique.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served, including understanding growth and development principles and assessing age‑specific patient data as described in departmental policies and standards.

Licensure, Registration, and Certification

• Valid driver’s license issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles.
• Physical Therapist Assistant license issued by the state of Wisconsin.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) – must be obtained within 6 months unless the department leader determines it is not required.

Education

Associate’s Degree in Physical Therapy.

Experience

Typically requires 2 years of experience in physical therapy assisting within home health care, hospital acute care, or another relevant environment.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated proficiency in clinical skills with the ability to work independently and make sound judgments.
• Ability to provide age‑appropriate care based on knowledge of growth and development.
• Good human‑relations, organization, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills.
• Initiative, versatility, and positive interpersonal skills.
• Intermediate computer skills.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Proof of a valid driver’s license and a registered, functional car with adequate insurance coverage.
• Manual dexterity to use and operate a variety of medical equipment, supplies, writing implements, and office equipment.
• Physical ability to move in confined spaces, including bending, twisting, kneeling, squatting, and occasionally reaching overhead.
• Capability to work safely with patients of various sizes and complex medical conditions.
• Lift up to 50 lb from floor to waist; lift up to 20 lb from waist to overhead; lift and carry up to 40 lb at waist height a reasonable distance.
• Push/pull with 30 lb of force; perform a sliding transfer of 150 lb with a second person present.
• Sit, stand, walk, and climb stairs for limited to prolonged periods to complete paperwork, gain entry to residences, travel between visits, and attend work‑related activities.
• Physical stamina to attend to patient‑care requirements for three or more hours without complete rest.
• Operate all equipment necessary to perform the job.
• This description outlines the general nature and level of work expected; it is not exhaustive. Incumbents may be required to perform other related duties.