Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

Job Summary: Perform physical therapy programs under the general supervision of a physical therapist. Responsibilities include assisting in administering programs involving passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, traction and heat, light, sound, water, and electrical modality treatments such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, ultraviolet, infrared and hot and cold packs to treat patients/residents. Instructs, motivates and assists patients/residents to learn and improve skills. Observes patients/residents during treatments and compiles data on responses to treatments and progress. Reports orally or in writing to rehab director. Assists in evaluation of patient/resident daily living skills and capacities to determine the extent of abilities and limitations. Designs and adapts equipment. Assists in instructing patient/residents and family programs, as well as care and use of adaptive equipment. Documents patient/resident progress toward established goals. Establishes and maintains good public relations with patients/residents, families and other center guests. Shows empathy toward patients/residents as needed. Adheres to requirements of resident/patient Bill of Rights. Follows established infection control precautions. Adheres to Universal Blood and Body fluid precautions following policy and center specific infection control policies and procedures. Observes safety needs of patients/residents. Identifies safety and security hazards and reports to appropriate personnel after ensuring patient/resident is out of immediate danger. Assists in maintaining supplies and equipment. Maintains billing records. Follows policies and procedures related to body mechanics, transfer, body positioning and mobility as outlined in the Nursing Policies and Procedures Manual. Attends seminars and other educational programs related to physical therapy as required to maintain active licensure status. Participates in scheduled in-service programs and staff meetings. Maintains confidentiality of necessary information. Utilizes supplies and equipment properly and without waste. Thinks and acts calmly and logically to meet unusual occurrences of the job without being thrown off stride. Performs any miscellaneous work assignments as may be required.

Job Requirements: Graduate of accredited two-year Physical Therapist Assistant program and certified according to national requirements. Licensed in the state where practicing. Lifting 50 pounds with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighting up to 25 pounds. Travel within a local area as needed for patient treatment. Ability to work inside with exposure to some disagreeable conditions. Communicate effectively with patients/residents, therapy staff and facility personnel. Must be capable of executing all terms and conditions set forth in the Employee Handbook including but not limited to: Work in a safety conscious manner to ensure that others in the workplace are not at risk. Comply with local, state, and federal regulations in addition to company policies and procedures. Adhere to the Company policy of a drug free workplace. Interact in a tactful, diplomatic and humanistic manner with residents, families, visitors, and co-workers to provide a safe, efficient, and therapeutically effective caring environment which ensures the self-respect, personal dignity, rights and physical safety of each resident and center guest. Maintains a dependable attendance record and adheres to standards of cleanliness, grooming, hygiene, and dress code.