Physical Therapy Assistant
Winner Regional Healthcare CenterJob Title: Physical Therapy Assistant
Department: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
PART I: POSITION OVERVIEW
Position Summary:
The Physical Therapy Assistant is a skilled technical worker who performs physical therapy and related duties under the supervision of a physical therapist. The Physical Therapist Assistant is responsible for delivering the highest quality therapy services to patients in the most cost effective manner. The Physical Therapist Assistant conducts medically prescribed Physical Therapy programs to restore function and prevent disability following disease, injury, neurological impairment, diagnosed syndrome or developmental delays; helps patients reach his/her maximum performance and integrate into an educational system and/or society while learning to live within the limits of his/her capabilities. The staff physical therapist assistant completes treatment documentation in accordance with facility standards. The above statements reflect the general duties considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job as identified and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the position.
Education/Experience:
Must be a graduate of an accredited course for the Physical Therapist Assistant.
Required Credentials (Licensure, Certification, or Registration):
Conforms to certification standards of the state of South Dakota. All new employees will attend CPR training, and must be certified within 90 days of hire. American Physical Therapy Association/South Dakota Physical Therapy Association membership preferred.
Employment Variables:
Work hours may include varied day shifts, weekends, and holidays. Physical therapy is delivered to patients of all ages and includes inpatient, outpatients, and long term care. Initial Tuberculosis (TB) test and drug screening is required by Winner Regional Health. Rubella titer will also be drawn upon hire and immunization is required if no past exposure or indication of immunization. Required to wear name tag provided by WRH and to follow the dress code of WRH.
Job Knowledge and Skills:
The physical Therapist Assistant must possess the skills necessary to conduct Physical Therapy programs, work with and understand the unique growth and developmental needs of a diverse age group of patients. Must understand and demonstrate proficiency in all Physical Therapy equipment and be able to learn and utilize new technology as the state of the art of Physical Therapy evolves.
Direct Supervisor:
Director of Rehab
PART II: CODE OF CONDUCT
Honesty
We will do the right thing at all times, even if it is difficult, maintaining strong, ethical practices. We protect the confidentiality of others, including patients, staff and the facility as a whole. We will take responsibility for our actions.
Expertise
We will demonstrate superior judgment, training and skill, at all times, demonstrating professionalism while doing so. We will perform all aspects of our job to the best of our ability, utilizing all resources and tools available.
Approachability
We will be non-judgmental, friendly, and open and willing to listen to everyone we come into contact with while performing our duties. We are humble and learn from others.
Respect
We will be understanding and sensitive to others’ feelings; caring and responding in a manner that sets them at ease, keeping the situation in perspective without minimizing others’ feelings or reactions. We will listen to others with full attention in a sincere, civil fashion, being careful not to be judgmental of the speaker. We maintain composure when facing conflict and avoid jumping to conclusions and defaming another’s name.
Teamwork
We willingly work together with a common approach, trusting and supporting members of our organization, using our skills and resources, sharing information to achieve a common aim.
PART III: ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Essential functions are critical or fundamental to the performance of the job. They are the major functions for which the person in the job is held accountable. Following are the essential functions of the job, along with the corresponding performance standards.
Function
Explanation
Patient Care
Monitor patient status/change in functional abilities as needed during the course of therapy. Demonstrates critical thinking skills related to patient with multiple medical diagnoses and medical/physical/cognitive challenges; advanced critical thinking skills outside one’s own discipline/awareness of indications and contraindications of specific therapies to make recommendations and to suggest therapy services. Coordinates/participates with interdisciplinary team to ensure patient safety and comfort. Provides formal/informal education to patients/families/interdisciplinary team related to individual patient needs or physical therapy services. Develops a therapeutic relationship with the patient. Utilizes support staff effectively in ensuring proper patient care. Designs, fits and obtains appropriate adaptive equipment and orthotic devices
Maintains Workload
Prepares daily work schedule with recognition of department, interdisciplinary staff and patient’s needs. The therapist will demonstrates ability to manage high volume caseload and dynamic schedule, rescheduling and prioritizing of patient load as appropriate. Demonstrates the ability to be flexible/problem solve as roadblocks occur, and the ability to organize a fast paced schedule in multiple areas (LTC, hospital etc.) of the facility. Demonstrates efficiency, organization with task, and uses downtime productively.
Record Keeping
Completes physical therapy notes and other documentation within department established time frames and format. Submits appropriate physical therapy charges within department established time frames and format. Keeps manuals, forms, records and informational materials up to date. Documentation is reflective of the patient’s history, medical/functional status, pain level, subjective/objective data, treatment plan, and goals. Interdisciplinary documentation is completed per department guidelines.
Continuing Education
Must possess a willingness and ability to learn and utilize new technology and procedures that develop within our department.
Educational Programs
Provides ongoing needs assessments to determine employee and organizational needs. Collaborates with staff, managers, and other educators to identify educational needs. Develops educational programs based on assessment findings and healthcare changes and trends so all programs incorporate current information. Implements programs based on PI input, competence issues and requests and/or needs.
Develops/coordinates in-services throughout the year. Evaluates programs.
Liaison
Serves as a resource for affiliated programs as evidenced by committee attendance. Serves as an information resource for community agencies and organizations.
Other Departmental Responsibilities
Willingly accepts assignments from department manager in the best interest of the department. Takes an active role in department. Performs and participates in educational actives or in services to staff, nursing and/or public.
PART IV: COMPLIANCE
Compliance
Must comply with the Corporate Compliance Policy and all laws, rules, regulations and standards of conduct relating to the position. The employee has a duty to report any suspected violations of the law or the standards of conduct to his/her immediate Supervisor, Compliance Officer, or the Chief Executive Officer.
PART V: PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
General Activity
In a regular workday, employee may:
Sit
.5-1
Hours at a time; up to
2
Hours during the day
Stand
1-2
Hours at a time; up to
2
Hours during the day
Walk
1-2
Hours at a time; up to
5-6
Hours during the day
Motion
Employee is required: (In terms of a regular workday, "Occasionally" equals 1% to 33%, "Frequently" 34% to 66%, "Continuously", greater than 67%.)
Bend/Stoop
Frequently
Kneel, Duration 30 sec
Squat
Balance
Continuously
Crawl, Distance
Occasionally
Twist
Never
Climb, Height
Occasionally
Keyboarding/Mousing
Reach above shoulder level
Physical Demand
Employee’s job requires he/she carry and lift loads from the floor, from 12 inches from the floor, to shoulder height and overhead. Employee’s job requires a pushing/pulling force to move a load (not the weight of the load).
Physical Demand Classification:
Carrying/lifting weight and pushing/pulling force:
Medium
Occasionally
50 lbs
Frequently
25 lbs.
Constantly
10 lbs
Sensory Requirements:
Yes/No
Explanation (if Yes)
Speech
Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
Need to be able to verbally give instructions/input to patients/families, co-workers, various health professionals in person and/or via phone. Emergencies may arise that requires immediate verbalization/assistance.
Vision (VDT)
Are there specific vision requirements for the job?
Considerable amount of ambulation/exercise with debilitated, weak patients – must be able to physically and visually monitor patients, i.e. color changes, gait deviations, transfer, and safety equipment operation.
Hearing
Ability to receive detailed information through oral communications, and to make fine discriminations in sound; i.e., making fine adjustments on machine parts, using a telephone, taking blood pressures.
Listening to patients/families/co-workers/various health professionals in person or via phone. Hearing emergency “calls” – codes via operator, call system, equipment alarms. Blood pressure assessments.
Smell
Wound assessments/odor. Need for attention to patient/bowels. Ability to smell smoke/gas/chemicals – patient/employee safety.
Environmental Factors
Yes/No
Explanation (if Yes)
Working on unprotected heights
Yes
Elevated mat table
Being around moving machinery
Yes
CPM's, traction, carts, wheelchairs, tilt table, hydraulic lifts, exercise equipment
Exposure to marked changes in temperature and humidity
Outings, outdoor therapy
Driving automotive equipment
Home visits
Wearing personal protective equipment
Gowns, gloves, masks, face shields, eye protection
Exposure to dust, flames and gases
Yes
Helicopter fumes, dust, building projects
Exposure to extreme noise or vibration
Exposure to blood, body fluids and waste
Yes
Wounds, sputum, bowel/bladder, body secretions
Exposure to radiation
Oncology implants, nuclear med
Exposure to other hazards (i.e. mechanical, electrical, burns, or explosives)
Yes
Cleaning chemicals
Emotional/Psychological Factors
Yes/No
Explanation (if Yes)
Stress: Exposed to stressful situations
Emergency situations may arise at any times – medically unstable individuals, CPR may need to be initiated. Certain situations arise that need to be handled tactfully, i.e. upset patients, personnel, doctors. A high patient caseload and/or decrease in staff to accommodate the workload. Scheduling difficulties.
Concentration: Must be able to concentrate on work tasks amidst distractions.
Several patients/therapists working in area at same time – gym, treatment areas. Staffroom while writing notes can be distracting with talking/phones. Various machines/alarms/equipment in patient rooms or in department. May need to work in a variety of settings and within a very active work space whether it is classroom, office or laboratory.
Self-Control
Several patients/therapists working in area at same time – gym, treatment areas. Staffroom while writing notes can be distracting with talking/phones. Various machines/alarms/equipment in patient rooms or in department.
PART VI: JOB RELATIONSHIPS
Supervises
No supervisory responsibilities
Unlicensed personnel
Supervisory responsibility
# Direct Reports: 0
# Indirect Reports: Students
Age of Patient Populations Served
Neonates: 1-30 days
Infant: 30 days - 1 yr
Children: 1- 12 yrs
Adolescents: 13- 18 yrs
Adults: 19- 70 yrs
Geriatrics: 70+ yrs
All
Not applicable
Internal Contacts
Patients
Providers: (i.e. Physicians, Therapists, Social Workers)
Staff: (i.e. clinical and administrative support staff)
Volunteers
Others:
External Contacts
Patients
Families/Significant Others
Providers
Vendors
Community and Health Agencies
Regulatory agencies
Other: Job Applicants
PART VII: EMPLOYEE STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING
I have read and understand the job description for my position. I am able to perform all of the essential functions of this position.
I have read and understand the job description for my position and I request reasonable accommodation(s). (Please describe in detail how you propose to perform the essential functions of the position.)
I agree to comply with the Corporate Compliance and all laws, rules, regulations and standards of conduct relating to my position. As an employee, I understand my duty to report any suspected violations of the law or the standards of conduct to my immediate supervisor, Compliance Officer or the Chief Executive Officer.
____________________________________________ __________________________
Supervisor Date
___________________________________________ __________________________
Employee Date
Revised: 06.2021