Physical Therapy Assistant

Essential Functions

• Establishes and maintains effective communication with physicians, staff, and other departments.
• Executes plan of care within and in full compliance with state board recommendations and guidelines.
• Responds to patient questions and inquiries as required to resolve problems and maintain high patient standards.
• Documents care and other patient information for the medical record and per state practice act.
• Fully integrated as the primary member of the treatment team for each case in caseload.
• Complies with department policies and procedures and state regulations for OSHA and infection control.
• Affords assistance with training Physical Therapy Technicians.
• Maintains patient confidentiality.

Education

• Requires an Associate’s Degree in Physical Therapist Assisting from an accredited program.
• Must be certified in the state of which physical therapist (PTA) practices.

Experience

• Minimum of one year experience in an out-patient Physical Therapy clinic or equivalent experience.

Requirements

• Current state PTA certification.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of physical therapy principles, standards, and practices.
• Knowledge of how to use the physical therapy equipment.
• Knowledge of company policies, OSHA, and infection control regulations.

Skills

• Consistently uses effective problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Skill in coaching successfully and communicating with a wide variety of learning styles.
• Critical communication skills.
• Skill in recognition of fall risk patients/high risk or non-compliance patients.

Abilities

• Communicates clearly and engages fully with providers, each patient, and any appropriate family members/support structures.
• Interprets appropriately physical therapy plan of care, participates in the development of progressions within the plan of care, and execution of the plan of care for every patient.
• Uses effective problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Integrates and communicates fully in a team atmosphere to best support patients/clients and colleagues/co-workers.
• Engages fully with all patients, colleagues, and co-workers.
• Works with and supports patients with a wide range of physical abilities.
• Uses the computer system to document patient medical records.

Environmental Working Conditions

• Normal office environment.
• Sometimes requires some travel within the community.

Physical/Mental Demands

• Requires sitting and standing associated with a normal office environment.
• Occasionally requires support all size patients in transfers.
• Requires ability to lift 50 lbs.
• Requires ability to kneel, squat, and overhead lift.