Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant - Physical Therapy

Summary:

As a member of the health care team, assists the physical therapist with patient care by implementing treatment plans. Maintains patient records and directs support staff as needed. 

Responsibilities:

Care of the Patient:

• Able to independently deliver a treatment plan that addresses identified problem(s), deficits and discharge needs and assists with decreasing LOS.
• Actively seeks out a diagnosis mix to facilitate ability to independently treat throughout the facility.
• Demonstrates skilled expertise when monitoring patients during treatment.   
• Able to apply reasoning and judgment to skilled observations and reports adverse reactions to physician, supervising PT and/or nursing.
• Reports findings to supervising PT and solicits their involvement when needed.   
• Demonstrates a working knowledge of the use of modalities and their contraindications.
• Actively seeks research based treatments and applies to daily treatment.
• Knowledgeable of available wound care supplies, current protocols and techniques.

Communication and Education of Patients:

• Able to explain the role of physical therapy; provides information on what to expect and works to build rapport.
• Determines the education needs of the patient and family. Actively engages caregivers to ensure education needs are met.
• Provides written home exercise program to ensure maximum benefit. Solicits demonstration of exercises contained in home exercise program to ensure   maximum benefit.
  

Conferences and Collaboration:

• Prepares for team/supervision conferences in advance. Reports patient status objectively.
• Understands role in discharge planning during conferences. Provides pertinent information that aids timely discharge.
• Recognizes when physician needs to be informed of patient status or d/c needs. Consistently contacts appropriate care giver.
• Works effectively with other team members to foster mutual respect, trust   and positively affect the continuum of care.
• Demonstrates ability to work in multiple departments; able to communicate with supervisors when this need arises; able to transition from one setting to another easily; seeks out opportunities for new learning in different settings.

Time Management:

• Anticipates patients'/department's needs during planned absences. Provides endorsements for patients as needed.
• Coordinates with peers so that support personnel are maximized with minimal down time. Meets supervision requirements of APTA and the state licensing board.
• Notifies PT promptly when reevaluation is needed.
• Meets productivity standard 90% of the time.
• Reviews schedule in advance when requesting PTO; ensures that requested time does not place patient care in jeopardy.
• Is able to demonstrate flexibility in a staffing crisis; willing to adjust schedule to ensure patients' needs are met.
  

 Documentation:

• May be requested to assist with training of new associates on floor or with documentation.
• Documentation reflects need for skilled therapy services provided; allows another therapist to treat patient with minimum explanation.
• Consistently documents education including topic, method, effectiveness and potential need for further education.
  

Department Business:

• Attends 85% of all department meetings.
• Readily identifies clinical development needs and participates in clinical development.
• Actively participates in problem solving with issues that arise and   demonstrates good judgment. Looks for timely resolution and remains calm and effective.
• Ensures that all base and annual competencies are completed prior to due date. Completes self-assessment annually.
• Takes opportunities to educate physician and other health care workers on role of PT and appropriate use of services.
• Remains aware of department goals and requirements - productivity, patient safety and regulatory requirements.
  

Professional Growth:

• Adheres to professional code of ethics, as well as organizations core values.
• Maintains state licensure. Provides manager with renewal information 15 days prior to expiration date.   
• Maintains AHA CPR certification.
• Participates with clinical student affiliation through direct or adjunct supervision.
• Applies knowledge of growth and development from infant through geriatrics and is able to modify interventions for care based on each stage. 

Hospital Procedures:

• Accrues no more than 3 unscheduled absences annually. Reports to assigned work station at designated time.
• Follows established call in procedures.
• Consistently follows hospital and/or departmental procedures for dress, hygiene and ID badges.
• Follows all safety precautions.
• Has no avoidable accidents or injuries during the annual review period.
• Attends and/or completes all mandated infection control and safety programs on or before scheduled performance review date.
• Adheres to hospital policies and department rules consistently.
• Consistently exhibits a professional demeanor that supports the CHRISTUS mission, creating an atmosphere of security and comfort for patients and   families and that influences others to strive for professionalism.
• Follows the CHRISTUS Health guidelines related to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) designed to prevent or detect unauthorized disclosure of Protected Health Information (PHI). 

Requirements:

Education/Skills

• Graduate with an Associate Degree from an accredited Physical Therapy Assistant program, approved by the American Physical Therapy Association

Experience

• New graduate or experienced Physical Therapy Assistant

Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications

• Must have and maintain current license in the State of Texas as a Physical Therapy Assistant
• American Heart Association BLS – within two (2) weeks of employment

Work Schedule:

5 Days - 8 Hours

Work Type:

Full Time