Physical Therapist Assistant, PRN

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Duke Health Lake Norman Hospital

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke Health Lake Norman Hospital in Mooresville, North Carolina. The smallest of the four Duke Health hospitals at 123-beds, it offers a comprehensive range of medical services, including 24-hour emergency care, cardiology, orthopedics, women's services, and surgical specialties.

Summary & Work Performed

Assist the physical therapist in the provision of physical therapy, providing intervention under the supervision of a physical therapist. The physical therapist assistant may modify an intervention only in accordance with changes in patient/client status and within the scope of the plan of care that has been established by the physical therapist.

• Levels I, II and III:
  
  
  
  • Demonstrate & articulate sound clinical reasoning in treatment planning, implementation and monitoring of patient progress. 
  
  
  • Recognize when standard patient protocols or treatment plans need modification to meet individual patient needs & reports to therapist. 
  
  
  • Understand the role of therapy in the context of the patient's age, total needs perspective and environment.
  
  
  • Perform age appropriate competency skills with respect to individual patient's problems.
  
  
  • Consistently report to physical therapist, patient progress/status to allow for updated of goals andmodifications by physical therapist of treatment program.
  
  
  • Consistently meet patient care productivity standard for position.
  
  
  • Work cooperatively with peers to contribute to the overall productivity of the team. 
  
  
  • Utilize support personnel (aides, senior aides) when appropriate and available. 
  
  
  • Actively support and participate in cross coverage efforts in the division. 
  
  
  • Assist physical therapist's assessment of the learning needs and capabilities of patients and caregivers with regard to age, level of understanding & emotional status..
  
  
  • Assist physical therapist in utilizing appropriate methods and materials for effective learning, monitoring response to education, and adapting program appropriately. Ensure that patient/family understands when and how to receive further treatment. 
  
  
  • Patient care documentation is timely, legible, and efficient.
  
  
  • Notes are concise, pertinent and meet departmental documentation standards.
  
  
  • Oral reporting is clear, concise, relevant, and timely.
  
  
  • Perform all required data collection forthe department accurately and within expected time frame.
  
  
  • Peer review standards are consistently met.
  
  
  
  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities & Level Characteristics

• Levels I and II:
  
  
  
  • The physical therapist assistant may perform physical therapy procedures and related tasks that have been selected and delegated by the supervising physical therapist.
  
  
  • Ability to push-pull, lift-carry, and transfer patients.
  
  
  
  


• Level III:
  
  
  
  • Also has demonstrated leadership/specialization at the clinical level.
  
  
  
  

Minimum Qualifications & Education

Levels I, II and III:

•  Associate's degree in physical therapist assistant.

Experience

• Level I: None beyond required education.


• Level II: Minimum of 36 months of clinical practice experience. Required level of achievement for the Level I after 36 months of employment.


• Level III: Minimum five years experience as a Physical Therapist Assistant with 2 years at DUHS.

Degrees, Licensures, Certifications

• Levels I, II and III: Current Physical Therapist Assistant license in North Carolina.