Physical Therapist Assistant - Wound Care

About the role

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) at Houston Methodist is a member of the direct patient care team who provides patient treatments under the direction of a Licensed Physical Therapist. They perform routine physical therapy treatments and procedures from basic to moderate complexity as established by the plan of care. This position also performs related patient care support activities and works with team members in monitoring and adjusting activities to ensure optimum patient throughput and patient experience.

Responsibilities

• Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic, team-focused work unit that actively helps one another to achieve optimal department results.
• Applies expected behaviors and actions with team members which contributes towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e., peer-to-peer accountability.
• Obtains applicable and relevant information prior to patient’s treatment sessions. Provides education of plan of care to patients, family members, or caregivers. Consistently evaluates the patient's comprehension, using therapeutic communication, which includes active listening and teaching, to establish a relationship with patients and families, adapting teaching methods accordingly.
• Implements treatment programs as established by the supervising Physical Therapist. Communicates and records patient's response to treatment plan.
• Provides care for the physical needs of patients by executing various physical therapy concepts to maximize performance which includes positioning, physiology, procedure preparation, and technical factors.
• Contributes towards improvement of department score for patient satisfaction, through peer-to-peer accountability to service standards.
• Maintains accurate and complete documentation of patient procedures performed in a timely manner in the patient record. Enters charges for services provided as applicable.
• Schedules patients efficiently to maximize utilization of time and equipment.
• Ensures all rehabilitation equipment has had QC performed as required and is in safe working order prior to use. Reports any malfunctions to management and regularly practices preventive maintenance procedures; calls for service if needed.
• Identifies opportunities for corrective action and process improvement providing recommendations, and contributes to meeting departmental and hospital targets for quality and safety.
• Maintains accurate and complete documentation of patient procedures performed in a timely manner in the patient record. Enters charges for services provided as applicable.
• Acts as a good steward of resources by ensuring the best use of equipment and materials. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively, minimizing incidental overtime, and prioritizing daily tasks, assisting coworkers as needed.
• Participates and contributes on various department projects and activities to include shared governance, staff development and expansion of services.
• Responds positively to change by accepting and using new practices. Offers innovative solutions through participation in performance improvement projects and shared governance activities.
• Seeks opportunities to identify self-development needs as a Physical Therapist Assistant and of leadership skills and takes appropriate steps to address these needs. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an ongoing basis.

Qualifications

• Graduate of education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s) indicated below in the Certificates, Licenses and Registrations section
• Two years of experience as a Physical Therapist Assistant preferred
• PTA - Physical Therapist Assistant - State Licensure - Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation_PSV with the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners. Compact license acceptable according to ECPTOTE requirements. If Temporary license, must obtain permanent license in accordance with TBPTE.
• BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) - American Heart Association

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
• Exhibits strong interpersonal and team player skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians and co-workers
• Possesses basic computer knowledge; operates multiple computer systems to include, Hospital and Office software to maintain patient and exam documents