Physical Therapist Assistant | Full Time

PURPOSE/DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

To provide direct patient care and support activities, which build and maintain a rehab center of excellence. Provides patient care under the direction of a licensed physical therapist. Completes documentation according to established procedures. Is involved in support duties as assigned. Contributes to professional development of self and others. Enhances disciplinary team through professional skills and knowledge. Aids in building and maintaining a reputation for excellence in the department by contributing as a professional member of the staff. Demonstrates safe working practices.

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ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

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NO. DESCRIPTION

1. Supports and models behaviors consistent with Pioneer Medical Center’s mission, vision, values, code of business conduct and service expectations. Meets all mandatory organizational and departmental requirements. Maintains competency in all organizational, departmental, and outside agency standards as it relates to the environment, employee, patient safety or job performance.

2. Provides patient treatments, which meet patient needs, and uses current knowledge in accordance with the clinical policies and procedures. This includes but is not limited to:

Provides comprehensive, appropriate patient interventions in accordance with the patient’s individual treatment plan as established by the evaluating physical therapist.
Provides patient education to patients and families.
Communicates with supervising therapists and other health care team members regarding patient progress, problems, and plans.
Instructs patient’s family members or nursing staff in specified follow through programs.
Demonstrates knowledge of appropriate resources for problem solving and clinical protocol.

3. Writes accurately, completely, and clearly in documentation records in accordance with the protocol of the department, and with licensing, payor, and accrediting requirements. This includes but is not limited to:

Records treatment charges and ensures that documentation is consistent with billing data.
Writes clear daily notes or progress notes in documenting patient interventions.

4. Assists with maintenance of patient charges and administrative support. This includes but is not limited to:

Schedules patients as appropriate.
Completes charges on patient records daily.
Assists therapists with scheduling appointments for patient services.

5. Consistently demonstrates an interdisciplinary approach to patient care. This includes but is not limited to:

Actively participates in patient care conferences.
Collaborates with and informs facility staff in areas of patient progress.
Educates members of the team in areas of expertise.
Works within the facility to teach documentation practices, which assist the therapy team.
Communicates effectively with discharge planners.
Integrates activities based on input from patient and family members into treatment sessions.

6. Contributes to professional development of self and others. This includes but is not limited to:

Utilizes continuing education assistance to achieve targeted quality improvements.
Interacts with peers at local acute hospitals and other environments, when appropriate.
Attends seminars and workshops, and reads professional journals, to stay current in physical therapy practices.

7. Aids in building and maintaining the department’s reputation for excellence by contributing as a professional member of the staff. This includes but is not limited to:

Consistently demonstrates the core values of the facility in interactions with coworkers, patients, families, and others involved in the patient’s care, and with the general public.
Consistently demonstrates professional standards as outlined by the policies and procedures of the facility and communicated by the management and administration.
Contributes to a positive work team by sharing information, using problem solving methods, and accepting new ideas, criticism, or advice from others.
Actively participates in and supports marketing activities as introduced by the facility.
Demonstrates superior customer service by demonstrating courtesy, consistent follow up, and positive communication.

8. Demonstrates safe working practices. This includes but is not limited to:

Identifies or corrects safety hazards or notifies the rehab manager in remedying a safety hazard immediately.
Maintains work areas in a safe and orderly fashion.
Keeps equipment in safe working order.
Uses proper body mechanics during patient treatments and during support activities.
Uses universal precautions. · Wears appropriate safety equipment.

9. Maintains competency in all organizational, departmental, and outside agency safety standards as it relates to the environment, employee, and patient/resident safety.

10. Identifies needs and sets goals for own growth and development.

11 . Performs other duties as assigned or needed to meet the needs of the department/organization.

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KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF:

Common policies and procedures, both organizational and departmental
Compliance Program
Code of Conduct
Regulatory standards (i.e., State Survey, OSHA)
HIPAA and confidentiality requirements
Patient’s/resident’s rights
Patient safety standards
Interpersonal skills necessary to instruct patients/residents and maintain effective contacts with a variety of health care providers.

SKILL IN:

Professional communication skills, both verbal and written
Planning and organization.
Providing instructions.
Effective time management.
Attention to detail.
Analytical skills necessary to implement effective plan of resident/patient rehabilitation.
Being able to think quickly and respond appropriately in an emergency.

ABILITY TO:

Incorporate population specific needs into all aspects of communication and patient care; scope of services provided will encompass age groups from infant through geriatric
Communicate clearly and effectively, both verbal and written
Establish and maintain collaborative relationships
Utilize time management concepts to make efficient use of time.
Provide instructions in a clear and easily understood manner.
Work independently.
Work effectively with nursing and medical personnel.
Read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
Frequently stand, sit, lift, bend, push, and move intermittently during workday.
Lift 50 pounds and assist with lifting and transporting of residents.
React professionally when dealing with difficult or emergency situations.

COMPLEXITY & DIFFICULTY:

Professional behavior when dealing with difficult situations with co-workers and patients/residents.
Resourcefulness in dealing with emergency situations.
Practices within the scope of practice of PTA licensure.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Associate Degree in Applied Science: Physical Therapist Assistant from an accredited Physical Therapist Assistant program.
In good standing with current state licensing board.
Driver’s License in good standing in State of Montana.
Minimum of two (2) years of experience with patient care.
Or an equivalent combination of education and experience relating to the above tasks, knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered

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WORKING CONDITIONS:

Normal patient care environment in a long-term care, acute care, clinic setting. Physical demands that include, but may not be limited to, patient care duties that may involve lifting, bending, transferring patients of up to 400 pounds with the assistance of the care team or by using appropriate patient care equipment such as a Hoyer lift. Working environment with moderate noise level and possible regular physical, mental and emotional stress due to patient care situations and activities.

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Blood Borne Pathogen Category: Category I: Tasks that involve exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues.

Blood Borne Pathogen Category: Category II: Tasks that may involve occasional exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues, but are not a part of the routine job description. Appropriate protective measures are readily available to every employee engaged in Category II tasks.

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