Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA)

Position Summary

The role of the Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) is a necessary part of the physical therapy team, helping physical therapists deliver quality care to their patients. PTAs implement selected components of patient/client interventions (treatment), obtain data related to the interventions provided, and make modifications in selected interventions either to progress the patient/client as directed by the physical therapist or to ensure patient/client safety and comfort.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The key duties and responsibilities of the Physical Therapy Assistant include, but are not limited to:

• Mastery of all Physical Therapy Aide duties and responsibilities

• Patient and Clinical Care Activities:
• Act as an assistant to the Physical Therapist when the Therapist is performing tests, evaluations, and complex procedures.
• Collect clinical assessment scores, radiographic scores and assessments, and health related quality of life information.
• Implement patient's individualized treatment plan as established by the primary Physical Therapist.

Provide individualized physical therapy treatments including but not limited to:

• Therapeutic exercise including aerobic capacity conditioning, balance coordination, agility training, body mechanics and postural stabilization, flexibility exercises, gait and locomotion training, neuromotor development training, relaxation, strength, power, and endurance training
• Functional training
• Manual therapy
• Airway clearance techniques
• Integumentary repair and protection
• Use of electrotherapeutic, physical agent and mechanical modalities
• Health and Wellness
• Falls Risk Interventions
• Chronic Disease Management Education
• Organize and facilitate treatment groups in collaboration with the physical therapist.
• Instruct patients, families and other caregivers in the skills and techniques of the physical therapy treatment program under the supervision of the Physical Therapist.
• Conduct screenings of patients at regular intervals to determine need for intervention/treatment
• Assist the Physical Therapist in the evaluation process and with identifying a target list, including short-term goals, long-term goals and treatment plan
• Train patients in locomotion using orthotics, prosthetics, or assistive devices such as canes, crutches, walkers, and wheelchairs.
• Demonstrate use of gait, belt, and safety awareness, as well as demonstrating proper guarding techniques.
• Order and instruct patients in the use of prescribed equipment.
• Work with all other members of the rehabilitation team to implement programs consistent with the needs and capabilities of each patient
• Contribute to cleaning, maintaining, identifying, and reporting the need for repair of equipment, as necessary.
• Perform skilled services, upholding the Code of Ethics as stated and maintained by the APTA
• Consistently use legible, legal and accurate documentation according to American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and WPT standards
• Maintain appropriate and timely documentation for all patients treated.
• Participate in staff meetings, forums, committees, and in-service training activities
• Complete duties and assist others as directed
• Follow all policies as introduced during new associate On-Boarding, updated real-time and outlined in Associate Handbook

Education/Experience

• An Associate’s Degree from an accredited college or university required
• Certification in CPR required
• Licensure must be acquired by passing the National Physical Therapy Exam from the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.
• Earn (continuously) continuing education units as required by the state of Washington

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Must meet physical requirements of frequent lifting, bending and squatting
• Ability to perform well under pressure
• Superior customer service skills
• Great interpersonal skills; demonstrating patience, composure and cooperation; working well with all patients, physicians and staff
• Ensuring that patients and families receive the highest quality of service in a caring and compassionate atmosphere which recognizes the individuals' needs and rights.
• Understanding of and adherence to all safety, risk management and precautionary procedures, including the consistent respect for confidentiality (HIPAA)

Work Environment/Physical Demands

The work environment/physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a teammate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable differently abled persons to perform the essential functions.

JobFamily

PHYSICAL_THERAPY

PayType

Hourly

HiringMinRate

24.69

HiringMaxRate

44.45