Physical Therapy Assistant

Physical Therapist Assistant Job Description

Job Title: Physical Therapist Assistant

Department: Clinical

Reports To: Physical Therapist / Center Director

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt - Hourly

Prepared By: Administration

Prepared Date: 02/04/2024

Approved By: Administration

Approved Date: 02/04/2024

Summary Administers physical therapy treatments to patients, working under direction of and as an assistant to Physical Therapist, by performing the following duties.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Provides patient care in accordance with established protocols and patient care guidelines.

Responsible for conduct that is in accordance with FYZICAL’s values statement and social contract.

Responsible for a firm understanding and the implementation of our behavioral model (ARC) at all times while practicing.

Responsible for timely documentation, including but not limited to daily notes, weekly workers compensation reports, progress reports, and incident reports.

Responsible for assuring that patients are treated promptly in accordance with their scheduled appointments.

Responsible for conveying to patients the importance of complying with established plans of care, including home exercise programs and minimizing cancellations and no show of appointments. This is tracked independently with the expectation of achieving at 90% appointment kept rate.

Responsible for the provision of comprehensive patient care, administers active and passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, and heat, light, sound, water, and electrical modality treatment such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, ultraviolet, infrared, and hot and cold packs.

Administers traction to relieve neck and back pain.

Instructs, motivates, and assists patients to learn and improve functional activities such as perambulation, transfer, ambulation, and daily living activities.

Observes patients during treatments and compiles data on patients’ responses to treatments and progress and reports orally or in writing to Physical Therapist.

Fits patients for, adjusts, and trains patients in use and care of orthopedic braces, prostheses, and supportive devices such as crutches, canes, walkers, and wheelchairs.

Confers with members of physical therapy staff and other health team members, individually and in conference, to exchange, discuss, and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, and coordinating treatment programs.

Gives orientation to new Physical Therapist Assistants and directs and gives instructions to Rehab Techs.

Performs clerical duties such as taking inventory, ordering supplies, answering telephone calls, taking messages, and filling out forms.

Measures patient’s range-of-joint motion, length and girth of body parts, and vital signs to determine effects of specific treatments or to assist Physical Therapist to compile data for patient evaluations.

Monitors treatment administered by Rehab Techs.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

 Competencies

To perform this job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Analytical –synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs work flows and procedures.

Design – Generates creative solutions; Translates concepts and information to images; Uses feedback to modify designs; Applies design principles; Demonstrates attention to detail.

Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

Project Management – Coordinates projects; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and budget.

Customer Service – Manages Difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to request for service and assistance; Meets commitments.

Interpersonal Skills – Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others’ ideas and tried new things.

Oral Communication – Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentations skills; Participates in meetings.

Written Communication – Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.

Teamwork – Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to other views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone’s efforts to succeed.

Visionary Leadership – Displays passion and optimism; Inspires respect and trust.

Change Management – Develops workable implementation plans; Communicates changes effectively; Builds commitment and overcomes resistance; Prepares and supports those affected by change; Monitors transition and evaluates results.

Delegation – Delegates work assignments; Matches the responsibility to the person; Gives authority to work independently; Sets expectations and monitors delegated activities; Provides recognition for results.

Leadership – Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; effectively influences actions and opinions of others; Accepts feedback from others.

Managing People – Makes oneself available to staff; Solicits and applies customer feedback (internal and external); Fosters quality focus in others; Improves processes products and services; continually works to improve supervisory skills.

Quality Management – Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.

Business Acumen – Understands business implications of decisions; Displays orientation to profitability; Demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; Aligns work with strategic goals.

Cost consciousness – Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Contributes to profits and revenue; Conserves organization resources.

Diversity – Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Educates others on the value of diversity; Promotes a harassment-free environment; Builds a diverse workforce.

Ethics – Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.

Organizational Support – Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports organizational goals and values; Benefits organization through outside activities; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.

Motivation – Sets and achieves challenging goals; Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; Measures self against standard of excellence.

Strategic Thinking – Develops strategic to achieve organizational goals; Understands organization’s strengths & weaknesses; Analyzes market and competition; Identifies external threats and opportunities; Adapts strategy to changing conditions. 

Judgement – Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.

Planning/Organizing – Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans.

Professionalism – Approaches others in tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.

Quality – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.

Quantity – Meets productivity standards; Completes work in timely manner; Strives to increase productivity.

Safety and Security – Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.

Adaptability – Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages completing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.

Attendance/Punctuality – Is consistently at work on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.

Dependability – Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Commits to working Saturdays and/or Sundays or an intermittent basis as needed; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.

Initiative – Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.

Innovation – Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Graduated from an Accredited Physical Therapy Assistant program and in possession of a clear and active State Licensure.

Language Skills

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Database software; Internet software; Spreadsheet software and Word Processing software.

Other Skills and Abilities

Warm, pleasant, and compassionate with interactions with colleagues and patients.

Other Qualifications

50% + of this job description lies in the ability to work in a calm, effective manner as a member of a team and consistently get along well with others.

Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk to hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to sit and climb or balance. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities require by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those and employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.