Physical Therapy Assistant

Overview: Performs treatment and provides exercise instructions and patient education aimed at improving/enhancing the patient’s well-bring while following the established plan of care

Job Responsibilities:

• The Physical Therapist Assistant may, in accordance with state laws, 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
• 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 timely
• Fits patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, and supportive devices such as assistive devices.
• Other duties as assigned

• Prior Skilled Nursing Facility experience preferred
• Knowledge and skills to care for patient needs of the SNF population
• Proficiency with all applicable state, federal, and professional standards
• Must possess problem solving skills to successfully perform job
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong customer service orientation.
• Must be able to communicate effectively and professionally with other employees, patients, and family members
• Compassion and empathy
• Pleasant personality

• Associates degree from an accredited physical therapy program
• Current license from the state Board of Physical Therapy Examiners.

Physical Demands:

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.

• Must be able to lift a minimum of 20 lbs.
• Walking, standing, pushing, pulling, reaching, crouching, stooping, bending, stretching, transferring patients, and typing.