Physical Therapist Assistant

The primary purpose of your job position is to assist in planning, organizing, developing, and directing Physical Therapy Services in accordance with current applicable federal, state, and local standards, guidelines and regulations, and as may be directed by the administrator, to assure that the highest degree of quality resident care can be maintained at all times.

Delegation of Authority

As a Physical Therapist Assistant you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

Job Functions

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is an essential function of the position.

Duties and Responsibilities

Administrative Functions

• Assist in planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing our physical therapy services as well as its programs and activities as directed.
• Assist in developing and maintaining physical therapy standards.
• Assist in standardizing the methods in which therapy will be accomplished.
• Assist in developing, implementing and coordinating policies and procedures, resident care plans, physical therapy procedure manuals, job descriptions, etc.
• Review physical therapy policies, procedures, manuals, job descriptions, etc., at least annually, and participate in making recommended changes.
• Assist in interpreting physical therapy policies and procedures to personnel, residents, family members, etc., as necessary.
• Participate in discharge planning, development and implementation of resident care plans, resident assessments, etc., as necessary.
• Maintain a current file of residents treated.
• Maintain treatment records, resident files, and progress notes as required.
• Ensure resident records are not lost/mishandled.
• Assist in arranging transportation to other facilities when necessary.
• Ensure business office receives charges for physical therapy rendered to residents.
• Maintain an adequate liaison with families and residents.
• Interview residents, or family members, as necessary
• Perform administrative requirements such as completing necessary forms, reports, etc., and submitting to the administrator as required.
• Others as deemed necessary and appropriate, or as may be directed by the administrator or physical therapist.
• Agree not to disclose assigned user ID code and password for accessing resident/facility information and promptly report suspected or known violations of such disclosure to the Administrator.
• Agree not to disclose resident’s protected health information and promptly report suspected or known violations of such disclosure to the Administrator.
• Report any known or suspected unauthorized attempt to access facility’s information system.

Personnel Functions

• Maintain an excellent working relationship with the medical profession and other health related facilities and organizations.
• Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the department.
• Develop and maintain a good working rapport with inter-department personnel, as well as other departments within the facility to assure that services and activities can be properly maintained to meet the needs of the residents.
• Assist in the training of competent physical therapy personnel.
• Coordinate physical therapy with other departments.
• Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials and hazardous chemicals to your supervisor.
• Report known or suspected incidents of fraud to the Administrator.
• Ensure that departmental computer workstations left unattended are properly logged off or the password protected automatic screen-saver activates within established facility policy guidelines.
• Other duties as assigned.

Therapy Functions

• Initiate individual restorative program for residents in conjunction with the resident’s plan of care.
• Brief resident of procedures involved in physical therapy and prepare necessary equipment.
• Assist in transporting residents to and from physical therapy room/area.
• Act as receptionist to residents for the physical therapy department.
• Demonstrate to resident and nursing personnel, as necessary, the use of medical appliances involved in physical therapy (e.g., wheelchairs, crutches, canes, braces, and prosthetic appliances and devices).
• Perform physical therapy in resident’s room as necessary.
• Reassure resident before and during therapy treatment.
• Assist in preparing resident for treatment by dress/position and administer physical therapy in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Encourage resident to perform and/or participate in ADL functions.
• Assist the therapist, as directed, in administering hydrotherapy.
• Assist residents in ambulatory training as directed.
• Assist in applying agents such as diathermy, ultrasound, infrared, massage, therapeutic exercise, etc., as instructed/directed.
• Be alert to resident’s response to treatment. Notify therapist immediately for assistance if required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Staff Development

• Participate in programs designed for in-service education, on the job training and orientation classes.
• Participate and assist in departmental studies and projects as assigned or that may become necessary.
• Attend and participate in workshops, seminars, etc., as required.
• Attend and participate in annual facility in-service training programs as scheduled (e.g., OSHA, TB, HIPAA, Abuse Prevention, Safety, Infection Control, etc.).
• Other duties as assigned.

Safety and Sanitation

• Follow safety standards established for the physical therapy department
• Follow established departmental policies and procedures at all times, including appropriate dress code.
• Be alert for resident safety during any/all therapy.
• Comply with the facility’s established safety precautions at all times.
• Wear and or use safety equipment and supplies (e.g., back brace, mechanical lifts, etc.) when lifting or moving residents.
• Ensure physical therapy practices and procedures are in compliance with current applicable regulations.
• Follow established infection control procedures and standard/universal precautions when performing duties.
• Ensure safety and comfort of resident while going to and from therapy room/area.
• Ensure that the therapy area is maintained in a clean and safe manner for resident comfort and convenience by assuring that necessary equipment and supplies are maintained to perform such duties/services.
• Follow reporting procedures when observing hazardous conditions or equipment.
• Wear personal protective clothing when performing services that involve potential exposure to blood or body fluids.
• Report missing/illegible labels or MSDSs to your supervisor.
• Other duties as assigned.

Equipment and Supply Functions

• Assist with the care and maintenance of department equipment and supplies.
• Recommend to the therapist the equipment and supply needs of the department.
• Utilize all department equipment and supplies in an efficient manner that promotes desired therapy outcomes and minimizes waste
• Operate equipment in a safe manner.
• Other duties as assigned.

Care Plan Functions

• Ensure that physical therapy procedures are those indicated in the care plan for the resident. Advise department supervisor of any need to adjust therapy plan to match or support stated care plan goals.
• Assist and participate in resident assessment activities as necessary.
• Assist, as necessary, in developing physical therapy plans for individual residents in coordination and conjunction with the resident assessment (MDS).
• Ensure that care plans indicate physical therapy when such therapy is ordered.
• Provide therapy treatment in accordance with the resident’s plan of care.

Budget and Planning Functions

• Report suspected or known incidence of fraud relative to false billings, cost reports, kickbacks, etc.
• Other duties as assigned.

Resident Rights

• Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information including protected health information. Report known or suspected incidents of unauthorized disclosure of such information.
• Ensure that resident’s rights to fair and equitable treatment, self determination, individuality, privacy, property and civil rights, including the right to wage a complaint, are well established and maintained at all times.
• Knock before entering the resident’s room.
• Be knowledgeable of the residents’ responsibilities and rights including the right to refuse treatment.
• Honor the resident’s refusal of treatment request.
• Abide by the resident’s decision not to participate in treatment. Report such refusal to the therapist and/or charge nurse.
• Inform the resident of the consequences of not participating in his or her prescribed treatment and document such action in the resident’s clinical record.
• Report complaints and grievances made by the resident to the therapist and/or charge nurse.
• Allow the resident to participate in the planning and scheduling of his or her treatment.
• Other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

• Works in office, resident rooms, and therapy area(s).
• Moves intermittently during working hours.
• Is subject to frequent interruptions.
• Is involved with residents, family members, personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.
• Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel, and visitors.
• Communicates with the medical staff, nursing personnel, and other department directors.
• Works beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary, as well as in other positions as needed.
• Is subject to call back during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.).
• Is subject to exercising and massaging residents.
• Must be constantly alert for resident safety.
• Attends and participates in continuing educational programs.
• Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, assaults from hostile residents, etc., throughout the work day, as well as reactions from dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and other air contaminants.
• Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including TB and the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.
• Is subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals.
• Is subject to lifting, carrying and supporting residents.
• Maintains a liaison with the residents, their families, other department, etc., to adequately plan for the resident’s physical therapy needs.
• Is considered “essential personnel” during emergencies such as but not limited to pandemics.

Specific Requirements

• Must have initiative to carry out assigned task with/without constant supervision.
• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
• Must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age-related needs of the residents served.
• Must be a supportive team member, contribute to and be an example of team work and team concept.
• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
• Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public.
• Must possess the willingness to work harmoniously with other personnel.
• Must possess the ability to interpret the policies and procedures of physical therapy.
• Must maintain the care and use of supplies, equipment, etc., and maintain the appearance of therapy areas.
• Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm as well as the willingness to handle difficult residents and staff.
• Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing therapy services.
• Must be able to relate information concerning a resident’s condition.
• Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.

Physical and Sensory Requirements

(With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner.
• Must be able to cope with the mental, emotional, and physical stress of the position.
• Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to assure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.
• Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, support agencies, and outside agencies.
• Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of the facility, which include a medical and physical examination.
• Must be able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and, at times, hostile people within the facility.
• Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of 25 pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 50 feet.
• May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.
• Must be willing to perform tasks that may involve exposure to the resident’s blood/body fluids