Caregiver Therapist Assistant Full-Time Position

About Us

Viera Communities is a family-owned and operated Nursing and Rehabilitation facility that provides a unique health and rehabilitation experience.

Compensation Package

We offer an extremely competitive salary, with estimated annual earnings of $63,000 - $85,000 based on industry standards and location. In addition to this generous compensation, we provide a comprehensive benefits package, including 7 paid major holidays, generous PTO, medical, dental, and vision insurance, company-paid life and AD&D insurance, voluntary life, STD, and LTD insurance, 401(k) immediate enrollment with match, tuition reimbursement, referral bonus program, and discount program.

Job Description

This full-time position as a Caregiver Therapist Assistant is an exciting opportunity to join our team at Viera Communities. As a key member of our interdisciplinary team, you will work closely with our physical therapists to deliver compassionate care and support to our residents.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the practice of physical therapy and activities requiring an understanding of physical therapy but not requiring professional or advanced training in the anatomical, biological, and physical sciences involved in the practice of physical therapy.
• Practices only under the direction of a registered physical therapist (licensed).
• Implements the physical therapy treatment plan as established by the physical therapist in accordance with the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) guidelines and current state and federal laws and regulations.
• Records the resident's progress and requests reexamination when necessary.
• Offers suggestions, provides feedback, carries out agreed-upon activities, and voices constructive concerns in a collaborative manner with the physical therapist.
• May perform physical examination to obtain, update, and study therapy histories to ensure each resident is on the appropriate physical therapy track.
• Documents physical therapy services by charting in the resident medical record.
• Schedules and coordinates with facility nursing staff therapy sessions for residents as instructed by the physical therapist or rehabilitation director.
• Prepares required documentation according to facility policy for billing purposes, discharge planning, etc., and as instructed by the physical therapist or rehabilitation director.
• Helps residents perform their planned therapeutic procedures by administering manual exercises such as instructing and encouraging a resident through their exercises to physically helping them complete a difficult routine.
• Treats residents who demonstrate disorders of musculoskeletal deficiencies, neurological conditions, balance disorders, and transfer/gait deficits, etc. Treatment will only be conducted after a written order is received from the physician.
• Is familiar with assistive devices that might be used during treatment and ambulatory assistive devices, like canes and walkers that some residents may require for walking.
• Monitors the resident's environment to identify any needs or barriers that might negatively impact the resident's therapy and recovery. Observes and makes recommendations for the necessary accommodations to the physical therapist and enacts those recommendations.
• Treats residents with a variety of physical therapy techniques, including massaging sore muscles and pushing injured ones into deeper stretches.
• Provides resident information needed for the resident assessment instrument according to facility policy, such as functional abilities, functional status, range of motion, balance during transitions and walking, physical therapy minutes, and distinct calendar days, etc., during the defined observation period(s) as assigned by the physical therapist or rehabilitation director.
• Ensures physical therapy equipment is stored, used, and sanitized, disinfected, and/or cleaned properly and safely in the facility.
• Participates in daily, weekly, and/or monthly rehabilitative and interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss residents' therapy progression in relation to discharge planning for residents receiving physical therapy services as designated by the rehabilitation director or physical therapist.
• Adheres to the state practice guidelines in his/her discipline as defined by the State of Virginia Physical Therapy Practice Act. Maintains appropriate conduct and follows practice guidelines as defined by the professional association.
• Knows how to access the physical therapy state practice act and the professional association standards.
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with residents, employees, and family members through scheduled, deliberate positive interactions using face-to-face, phone, or other means of communication.
• Maintains accountability in concert with applicable standards of practice, by-laws, and code of conduct for his/her therapy discipline.
• Facilitates, serves, attends, or participates in various committees of the facility as necessary.
• Knows and understands the purpose and requirements for scope of work requirements as defined by the physical therapy practice act in each state.
• Delivers compassionate quality care and physical therapy services across the spectrum as evidenced by professional competence, general cleanliness of therapy gyms/offices, and work areas, optimal resident functioning, and resident satisfaction with physical therapy services provided.
• Knows physical therapy employees and employees of the interdisciplinary team in order to effectively communicate and provide optimal care for residents as well as any miscellaneous related needs.
• Promotes teamwork, mutual respect, and effective communication. Promotes positivity and active daily problem-solving.
• Makes written and oral reports/recommendations to the physical therapist as needed concerning physical therapy.
• Follows facility policy related to readiness for health inspection surveys, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) surveys, and any other regulatory entity or requirement.
• Reads and stays informed regarding regulatory, scope of work requirements as defined by the physical therapy practice act, business practices, and other changes influencing physical therapy outcomes.
• Promotes safe work practices, safety rules, and accident prevention procedures to prevent resident/employee injury and illness.

Requirements

• Must be able to perform the physical requirements of the position; lift, push, pull, carry heavy objects. Stand for long periods of time, walk, bend, and stretch.
• The employee must be capable of exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally (less than 1/3 of the time), and/or 10 to 20 pounds of force frequently (1/2 of the time), and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly (2/3 or more of time) to move objects, equipment, and/or patients.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, or crouch; use hands to manipulate tools, equipment, or controls; reach with hands and arms, balance, lift, and perform medium to maximum transfer assists with patients.
• The employee is required to have visual and hearing acuity sufficient enough to assess patient safety and ability.
• The employee works mostly inside patient rooms or a clinic. This position is classified as a Category I for the purpose of exposure determination under the OSHA regulations regarding the Standard of Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens (29 CFR 1910.1030). Category I is defined as all procedures or job-related tasks that involve an inherent risk for mucous membrane or skin contact with blood, body fluids, or tissues, or a potential for spills and/or splashes of blood or body fluids. The use of protective equipment and measures is required for every employee engaged in Category I tasks.

Diversity and Inclusion

Viera Communities is committed to diversity and inclusion and welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds. We are an equal employment opportunities (EEO) employer and do not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.