PT/OT Aide- Shepherd Pathways

About Shepherd Center

With five decades of experience, Shepherd Center provides world-class clinical care, research, and family support for people experiencing the most complex conditions, including spinal cord and brain injuries, multi-trauma, traumatic amputations, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and pain. An elite center ranked by U.S. News as one of the nation’s top hospitals for rehabilitation, Shepherd Center is also recognized as both Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems. Shepherd is the only rehabilitation facility in the nation with an intensive care unit on-site, allowing us to care for the most complex patients and begin the rehabilitation process sooner. Shepherd Center treats thousands of patients annually with unmatched expertise and unwavering compassion to help them begin again. Shepherd Center's culture is one of hope, humor, and hard work. You will enjoy career growth, strong relationships with co-workers, strong support from leadership, and fun activities that have kept over 12% of staff members working at Shepherd for more than 20 years.

Job Responsibilities

• Assists in creating a welcoming environment for patient care.
• Transports patients throughout the center.
• Assembles equipment and adjusts it to patient needs.
• Assists patients with transfers on the nursing units, in preparation for a PT session, or as directed.
• Assists patients with weight shifts and other daily activities (grooming, feeding, dressing, toileting, bathing etc.) or assigned OT therapy activities.
• Conducts assigned OT groups or assists PTs or PTAs in a group setting.
• Maintains the therapy and nursing equipment and environment.
• Cleans and returns wheelchairs, bathroom equipment, and other equipment as assigned.
• Completes assigned clerical duties.
• Instructs new employees and volunteers in departmental maintenance tasks.
• Attends and actively contributes to department meetings.
• Performs consistent with Shepherd Center standards, clinical policies, and procedures.
• Practices proper safety techniques in accordance with Center and departmental policies and procedures.
• Reports employee/patient/visitor injuries or accidents, or other safety issues to the supervisor and in the occurrence notification system.
• Maintains compliance with all regulatory requirements, organizational standards, and policies and procedures related to area of responsibility.
• Identifies potential risk areas within area of responsibility and supports problem resolution process.
• Performs other duties as required/requested/assigned.

Required Minimum Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Required Minimum Certification

No minimum certification

Required Minimum Experience

Previous therapy aide or clinical/healthcare experience preferred.

Required Minimum Skills

• Basic computer skills.
• Ability to interact directly with patients in a positive and supportive manner.
• Knowledge of growth, development and ability to obtain, interpret and disseminate information in terms of age specific patient needs (adolescent, adult and geriatric).
• Ability to learn and operate therapy equipment.
• Ability to follow instructions and problem solve.
• Ability to take responsibility for growing professionally and seek opportunities for improving skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively using timely verbal, non-verbal and written communication.
• Willingness to adapt to changing work demands and work environment.
• Ability to make sound judgments to monitor and respond to patient needs or changes in condition.
• Ability to complete orientation and initial assessment of competency successfully by determined due date.
• Ability to complete mandatory education and annual competency assessment requirements by determined due date.

Preferred Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in exercise science, health science, biology or related field of study preferred.
• Previous experience with patients with Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury Stroke, Concussion and Vestibular Disorders.