PTA Physical Therapy Assistant PRN

About the role

Conduct medically prescribed physical therapy programs under the supervision of a Physical Therapist in the hospital to restore function and prevent disability following disease, injury, or loss of a body part; help patient reach his maximum performance and assume a place in society while learning to live within the limits of his/her capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Conduct therapy programs for each patient, involving physical means, such as exercise, mobility training, massage, heat, water, and electricity, as prescribed by physician and directed by Physical Therapist.
• Provide care for the Adult or Geriatric patient, ages 18 years and over.
• Direct and aid patient in active and passive exercises, muscle reeducation, and gait and functional training, utilizing pulleys and weights, steps, and inclined surfaces.
• Direct patient in care and use of wheelchairs, braces, canes, crutches, and prosthetic and orthotic devices.
• Adapt conventional physical therapy techniques to meet the needs of patients with a variety of communicative and/or physical deficits.
• Observe, document, and report on patient progress and reactions to physical therapy treatments for review by other members of the rehabilitative team.
• Submit accurate patient charges in a timely manner.
• Document treatment sessions in a concise and thorough manner in daily progress notes.
• Educate / Instruct patients and families in safe transfers, ambulation, posture control and appropriate therapeutic exercises and other therapeutic goals.
• Conduct or participate in training medical and nursing personnel and other workers in physical therapy techniques and objectives.
• Actively participate in continuing education programs for self-development.
• Attends scheduled staff meetings, department meetings, in-services and training sessions.
• Participate in the Hazardous Material Program. Hazards include exposure to blood and body fluids, possible communicable diseases, sharp objects and instruments, assorted chemicals and gasses as listed in the Hazardous Materials Program Manual.
• Complies with established Safety and Patient Safety Program practices.
• Develop an understanding of responsibilities for recognizing abuse and follow policy for making appropriate referrals/interventions.
• Develop an understanding of responsibilities for participation in and participate in Performance Improvement activities.
• Limit access to protected health information (PHI) to the information reasonably necessary to do the job and share such information only on a need to know basis for work purposes.

Qualifications

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Graduate of accredited Physical Therapy program preferred, Master’s preferred.
• Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of basic computer skills and word processing.
• Current PTA license to practice by licensing board in state of employment.
• Must obtain BLS within 30 days of employment and maintain for the duration of employment.

Work Environment

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Physical Demands

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include Close Vision, distance vision, Peripheral vision, Depth perception and Ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear.