Physical Therapist Assistant

About the role

This Physical Therapist Assistant position is based at Ogallala Community Hospital in Ogallala, Nebraska (Physical Therapy department, day shift). The hospital is an 18‑bed critical access facility recognized as a Top 100 hospital, serving patients from newborns through geriatrics with outpatient, specialty, and wound care services. The role will be primarily working in the Wound Care department. Ogallala offers access to Lake McConaughy, Nebraska’s largest lake, with boating, fishing, camping, and birding, plus an 18‑hole golf course and historic Main Street.

This position is responsible for the administration of physical therapy treatment under the supervision of a Physical Therapist, in accordance with physician referral, state and local organizational standards, regulatory agencies, and established departmental policies and procedures. The position demonstrates the clinical competence and knowledge necessary to provide treatment appropriate to the age of the patients served.

Responsibilities

• Administers physical therapy treatment according to the plan of care established by the Physical Therapist.
• Implements individualized treatment plan with consideration to the patient's physical, social, spiritual, cultural, educational and age specific needs.
• Provides skilled treatment in a safe manner.
• Monitors ongoing effectiveness of treatment and collaborates with Physical Therapist in modifying the plan of care when indicated.
• Identifies and prioritizes key limiting factors.
• Participates in discharge planning.
• Involves patient and family/caregiver in the treatment and decision making process.
• Provides ongoing education to physician, nurse, patient, family/caregiver, and interdisciplinary team.
• Demonstrates understanding of scope of practice.
• Documents communication with supervising Physical Therapist.
• Communicates any significant change in the patient's physical function, behavior, and/or tolerance to treatment to the supervising Physical Therapist.
• Makes recommendations to Physical Therapist on additions to or modifications of referring orders.
• Provides input to the Physical Therapist to modify/update treatment goals so they are functional, measurable, patient related and reflect key limiting factors.
• Refers patient when treatment requires skills of Physical Therapist.
• Documents according to standards set by the department and regulatory agencies.
• Completes documentation within the established time frames of the department.
• Documents innovative and individualized treatment techniques/plan.
• Documentation reflects comprehensive assessment of patient's progress or lack of progress.
• Treatment goals are reassessed according to department policies.
• Communicates pertinent patient information to ensure the best possible follow through of care.
• Communicates treatment results, and patient progress to physicians, nurses, patient, family/caregiver and the interdisciplinary team.
• Communicates in a clear and timely manner.
• Defends treatment rationale with standard practices and/or current literature.
• Exhibits adaptability in assignments as it relates to caseload, scheduling, and staffing shifts.
• Takes initiative to assist in other patient care areas and accepts responsibility for all patient care needs.
• Demonstrates appropriate supervision and delegation of personnel to achieve safe delivery of quality cost effective patient care.
• Supervision and delegation of the Therapy Technician and PTA student complies with department policies and regulatory agencies.
• Participates in the training and orientation of new personnel.
• Assures competency of personnel, prior to delegation of task.
• Attends required department staff meetings and/or follows up to obtain pertinent information.
• Participates in department/facility process improvement.
• Meets productivity standards set by the department.

Requirements

• Graduated from a Physical Therapy Assistant program accredited by APTA, or equivalent.
• Current Physical Therapy Assistant license from the state of practice (Nebraska).
• BLS certification required.
• Ability to relate clinical competency, experience, training and education during the interview process.
• Proficiency with patient care equipment, therapeutic modalities, copier, multi-line/multi-feature telephone, fax machine, computer, pager, and miscellaneous office equipment.

Preferred qualifications

• For Banner Registry and Travel positions: minimum of one year experience working as a Therapy Assistant.
• Additional related education and/or experience.

Benefits

• Excellent compensation
• Shift differentials
• Paid orientation
• Employee wellness program
• Employee discounts

Schedule

Full‑time, Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–4:00 pm.