Physical Therapy Assistant

Job Title Code: PTA

FLSA: Nonexempt

Position Purpose

Assists physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist.

Supervisory Responsibility: None

Budget Responsibility: None

Essential Job Functions – Principal Accountabilities

• Instructs, motivates, safeguards, and assists patients as they practice exercises or functional activities. Observes patients during treatments to compile and evaluate data on their responses and progress and provides results to the physical therapist in person or through progress notes.
• Confers with physical therapy staff and others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, and coordinating treatment. Communicates with and instructs caregivers and family members on patient therapeutic activities and treatment plans.
• Transports patients to and from treatment areas, lifting and transferring them according to positioning requirements. Secures patients into or onto therapy equipment.
• Administers active and passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, aquatic physical therapy, and heat, light, sound, and electrical modality treatments such as ultrasound.
• Measures patients' range-of-joint motion, body parts, and vital signs to determine effects of treatments or for patient evaluations.
• Monitors operation of equipment and records use of equipment and administration of treatment.
• Fits patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, and supportive devices such as crutches
  

Other Job Functions

• Performs other duties as assigned.
  

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local regulations
• Knowledge of therapy methods and procedures
• Oral and written communication skills
• Critical thinking and complex problem solving skills
• Customer service skills
• Must display professionalism, initiative, positive attitude, and concern for others
• Must be stress tolerant, self-motivated, cooperative, team-oriented, and dependable.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
  

Physical Demands/Environment:

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

• Stand, traverse, ascend/descend stairs, move/transport residents weighing over 100 pounds, transport tools/equipment, grasp and manipulate tools/equipment to set up. Occasionally move equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Move resident as necessary, stretch, bend, stoop, squat, twist, crouch, kneel, and balance to properly position resident for therapy/exercise.
• Visually observe resident movement and placement.
• Detect alarms/messages.
• Operate computer, read, remain in a stationary position, converse with others.
• Legibly complete forms; perform data entry of information. Remain in a stationary position for extended periods.
• Converse with others, write legibly, read and comprehend written/verbal information. Communicate instructions or demonstrate tasks.
• Lift and carry up to 35 pounds frequently; up to 75 pounds occasionally.
• Stand and walk frequently, sit for extended periods; simple grasp; fine hand manipulation; near vision; far vision; hear conversation; speak
  

Minimum Requirements

Education: Associate degree or certification from a physical therapy program that included course study in anatomy and physiology, and clinical experience is required.  

Experience: Experience performing the essential functions of the position is desirable.

Certification/License: : Florida Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) license in good standing is required. Candidates are required to attain and maintain CPR certification within 90 days after hire. State background check standards must be maintained as a condition of continued employment.