Home Health PTA

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; develops plan for obtaining adaptive devices as needed.
• Provides ongoing assessment of patient's response to treatments and teaching; discusses caseload issues and changes in case census with supervisor to develop action plans.
• Plans for patient discharge, including providing written home programs, educating patient and family, and ordering equipment with direction of 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 area neat and orderly.
• Follows published policies and procedures and monitors changes or additions to them.
• Performs patient positioning and transporting duties requiring lifting, pushing, and pulling while utilizing proper technique.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of patients served, including principles of growth and development over the life span.

Requirements

• 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) to be obtained within 6 months unless department leader determines it is not required.

Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree in Physical Therapy.
• Typically requires 2 years of experience in physical therapy assisting within home health care, hospital acute care, or other relevant environment.

Skills

• Demonstrated proficiency in clinical skills with the ability to work independently and make sound judgments.
• Knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of patients served.
• Good human relations, organization, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Displays initiative, versatility, and positive interpersonal skills.
• Intermediate computer skills.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Must possess and provide proof of a valid driver’s license and a registered, functional car with adequate insurance coverage.
• Capable of manual dexterity required to use and operate medical equipment, writing implements, and office equipment.
• Physical ability to move about in confined spaces, including bending, twisting, kneeling, squatting, and occasionally reaching one or both arms overhead.
• Ability to work safely with people of various sizes and weights with diverse and complex medical conditions and physical limitations.
• Must be able to:
  • Lift up to 50 lbs from floor to waist.
  • Lift up to 20 lbs from waist to overhead.
  • Lift and carry up to 40 lbs at waist height a reasonable distance.
  • Push/pull with 30 lbs of force.
  • Perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs with a second person present.
• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, and climb stairs for limited to prolonged periods for paperwork, patient visits, and work-related activities.
• Physical stamina to attend to patient care requirements over three or more hours without complete rest.
• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.