Under the overall supervision of the Director of Physical Therapy, the Physical Therapist Assistant administers physical therapy treatments under the direct, on premise supervision of the Physical Therapist, in compliance with state law governing the practice of Physical Therapy in the Commonwealth of PA.
The Physical Therapist Assistant must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served by his/her department—adolescent through geriatric. The Physical Therapist Assistant must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span; possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status; interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to their age-specific needs; and to provide the care needed as described in the Physical Therapy Department's policies and procedures.
Type of supervision exercised: none. Jobs reporting to this position: none.
EDUCATION:
Graduate of a Physical Therapist Assistant Program approved in the year of graduation by the American Physical Therapy Association.
WORK EXPERIENCE:
New graduate acceptable.
One (1) to two (2) years Physical Therapist Assistant experience preferred.
SPECIAL EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:
Must be licensed as a PTA in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills and interpersonal skills required for effective interaction with management, staff, patients, and visitors.
Must attain and maintain certification of CPR.
Valid PA driver's license required for travel to PT satellite clinics.
Must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide individualized care appropriate to the age specific need and culture of the patient served.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Medium Work: duties require exerting 25 to 50 lbs. of force occasionally (approx 10-33% of shift), and/or 10-25lbs. of force frequently (approx 33-66% of the time), and/or greater than negligible amount up to 10 lbs. of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, and move objects.
Position involves sitting and working in reaching and strained positions throughout shift.
Ability to transport self throughout facility is required.
Must be able to travel to various PT satellite clinics as required.
ACCIDENT OR HEALTH HAZARDS:
Occasional exposure to blood and body substances.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Well-lit office, gym, and PT care areas.
Required Skills
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF JOB: | | | | E = Essential Element NE = Nonessential Element | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 14% Performs clinical assignments related to general inpatients, | | outpatients, aquatic therapy, computerized muscle re-education, | | functional electric stimulation, and pediatric therapy. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 14% Administers physical therapy treatments to assigned patients in | | accordance with prescribed treatment plan which may include, but is not | | limited to the following: therapeutic exercise, modalities, | | hydrotherapy, aquatic therapy program, gait training, elevation | | training, transfer training, group exercise class, soft tissue | | mobilization, myofascial release, massage, and biofeedback. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 14% Reports orally or in writing to the supervising PT concerning | | patient status. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 14% Makes arrangements necessary for assigned patients with supervising | | therapists and team supervisor to ensure continuity of patient care. | | (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 14% Delegates appropriate duties and provides supervision and follow-up | | | | to supportive personnel. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 10% Documents daily, weekly, and bi-weekly progress notes on patient's | | | | Medical record. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 5 % Participates in department planning/program development meetings, | | team meetings, staffing, and family conferences. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 4% Assists in the orientation training of new staff and supervision of | | | | volunteers and observers in PT. Promotes and develops clinical expertise | | in | | | | self and others via required inservice attendance and suggested | | | | self/professional enrichment. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 4% Instructs and educates family members/caregivers on appropriate | | therapeutic exercise program and correct guarding/assisting for safe | | ambulation and negotiation of elevations at home, utilizing guidelines | | established by the supervising PT. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 1% Provides lectures/in-services to staff, students, and community | | groups. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 6% Absorbs patient load and duties of other staff members as | | necessary. (NE) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Required Experience
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF JOB: | | | | E = Essential Element NE = Nonessential Element | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 14% Performs clinical assignments related to general inpatients, | | outpatients, aquatic therapy, computerized muscle re-education, | | functional electric stimulation, and pediatric therapy. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 14% Administers physical therapy treatments to assigned patients in | | accordance with prescribed treatment plan which may include, but is not | | limited to the following: therapeutic exercise, modalities, | | hydrotherapy, aquatic therapy program, gait training, elevation | | training, transfer training, group exercise class, soft tissue | | mobilization, myofascial release, massage, and biofeedback. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 14% Reports orally or in writing to the supervising PT concerning | | patient status. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 14% Makes arrangements necessary for assigned patients with supervising | | therapists and team supervisor to ensure continuity of patient care. | | (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 14% Delegates appropriate duties and provides supervision and follow-up | | | | to supportive personnel. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 10% Documents daily, weekly, and bi-weekly progress notes on patient's | | | | Medical record. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 5 % Participates in department planning/program development meetings, | | team meetings, staffing, and family conferences. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 4% Assists in the orientation training of new staff and supervision of | | | | volunteers and observers in PT. Promotes and develops clinical expertise | | in | | | | self and others via required inservice attendance and suggested | | | | self/professional enrichment. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 4% Instructs and educates family members/caregivers on appropriate | | therapeutic exercise program and correct guarding/assisting for safe | | ambulation and negotiation of elevations at home, utilizing guidelines | | established by the supervising PT. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 1% Provides lectures/in-services to staff, students, and community | | groups. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 6% Absorbs patient load and duties of other staff members as | | necessary. (NE) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+