Certified Physical Therapist Assistant

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JOB SUMMARY:

The Staff Physical Therapist Assistant will primarily be responsible for direct patient care for patients referred to PM&R. The therapist is expected to maintain the highest level of quality care at all times. The PTA will follow the plan of care and treatment developed by the Physical Therapist after the patient's initial evaluation. Activities will include those areas covered both under the written treatment plan and by verbal recommendations from the PT within the therapist's area of expertise. The therapist will assist in the supervision and training of other PTAs and support personnel, as well as PTA students and volunteers. The therapist will be expected to complete daily documentation and charges, and schedule patients daily. The therapist may be assigned to other specialty areas, and it will be expected the therapist is competent in all areas provided by this department. The therapist will adhere to policies, procedures, and standards of practice as defined by and/or stated by the 1) American Physical Therapy Association 2) Texas State Physical Therapy Practice Act, 3) DNV, 4) UMC Standard Policy and Procedure Manual, 5) PM&R Policy and Procedure Manual.

REPORTS TO:

JOB SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

• The therapist is expected to be able to schedule patients for
evaluation and treatment in an efficient manner. Productivity should
demonstrate proficiency with this skill.
• The therapist is expected to demonstrate proper and effective
utilization, delegation and instruction to new staff PTA, support
personnel, and volunteers.
• The therapist is expected to participate in clinical education by
functioning as a CI for PTA students after 1 year of experience at
UMC.
• The therapist is expected to assist in selection and retention of
qualified candidates to meet the employment needs of the
department.
• The therapist is expected to provide two in-services annually.
• The Staff PTA is expected to:
o Demonstrate competence in carrying out a plan of care
appropriate to the age of the patient after the proper evaluation
and communication by a physical therapist.
o Complete proper documentation at the time of treatment which
includes appropriate subjective and objective information, a
clear statement of the treatment given, any progress made by
the patient, and the patient's response and tolerance to
treatment.
o Provide subjective and objective information to the supervising
physical therapist for re-evaluations.
o Complete the appropriate aspect of the discharge summary in a
timely manner per department policy.
o Submit daily charges as described in the department policy.
• The Staff PTA will demonstrate the ability to:
o Assess the needs of the patient by assessing and documenting
the learning needs of the patient/caregiver, and supply the
appropriate instructions to the appropriate learner.
o Assess the needs of the patient by assessing the need for
equipment, attaining an order for it, and demonstrating the
proper use of the equipment.
o Assess the needs of the patient by assessing and
recommending needs for other services and participating in the
discharge process.
• The Staff PTA will demonstrate proficiency in therapy procedures
appropriate to the age of the patient and within medical limits of the
patient while taking into consideration any special
precautions/contraindications the patient may have. The PTA
performs and demonstrates procedures while using proper body
mechanics and safety precautions for the techniques/procedures
including but not limited to the following:
o Manual Muscle Testing
o Goniometry
o Sensory Testing
o Therapeutic Exercises
o Transfer Training and Bed Mobility
o Gait Analysis and Training
o Posture Analysis
o Physiological Responses
o Neuromuscular / Balance Training
o Differentiation of Tissue Damage
o Developmental Testing
o Modalities

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Graduate of an accredited Associates program for Physical Therapist
Assistants.
• One year clinical experience preferred, entry level accepted.

REQUIRED LICENSURES/CERTIFICATIONS/REGISTRATIONS:

Must have or be eligible for a Texas State license.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Must be able to apply the theory of Physical Therapy under the
bylaws of the Texas State Practice Act and the APTA Code of ethics.
• Should speak intelligently and in a professional manner before
others, demonstrate good public relations, demonstrate
assertiveness and tact.
• Perform technical procedures.
• Have ability and competency to operate necessary equipment.
• Must be able to instill confidence in patients, physicians, and
personnel.
• Determine proper procedures and methods of treatment and
evaluate results.
• Make decisions independently.
• Adapt to emergency situations.
• Be alert to changes in the patient's condition.
• Demonstrate economic use of time.
• Know techniques of assisting and handling patients.
• Must possess a high degree of accuracy in carrying out
prescriptions, receiving and translating information, and charting and
reporting.
• Have supervisory skills and ability to delegate tasks as needed.
• Must have coordination of sight and body movements in various
applications of procedures.

INTERACTION WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER RELATIONSHIPS:

The therapist must display a professional attitude at all times, be thoughtful of others, neat and well groomed. The therapist will need to carry out close working relationships with many people including, but not limited to, Director, In-Patient/Out-Patient Managers, PTs, PTAs, support personnel, OT, Speech, Audiology, Physicians, nursing staff, Social Services, Respiratory Therapy, Radiology, Food and Nutrition, and most importantly patients and their family members or caregivers. The therapist should have the flexibility to schedule around the a fore mentioned services, if needed, and have the ability to organize time in order to treat the maximum number of patients in the allotted working day. The therapist should also offer help to co-workers in the event of conflicts/cancellation in their patient load.

PHYSICAL CAPABILITIES:

The therapist should have good physical stamina, be able to be on feet most of the day, and be fairly strong and energetic. Work frequently requires much walking, standing, stooping, kneeling, balancing, bending, carrying, talking, and hearing. Lifting more than 50 pounds is frequently required. The degree to which any of these is done depends on techniques being used. Hours may be long and irregular, and include weekends.

ENVIRONMENTAL/WORKING CONDITIONS:

Works inside under normal temperature conditions with adequate light, in a well ventilated, clean area. Some areas are limited in space, and some patient rooms/specific units such as the BICU may be warm. Usually works around others and should expect some moderate noise. Frequently works with biologic or infectious agents, and may be exposed to communicable diseases. May come in contact with irritating chemicals or sprays. May be exposed to muscular strain in supporting, lifting and assisting patients.

UMC Health System provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

*Request for accommodations in the hire process should be directed to UMC Human Resources.*