Job Purpose:
A Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) is responsible for providing care/services to assigned patients under the supervision of a Physical Therapist (PT) and in accordance with the patient’s plan of care.
Supervisor: Physical Therapist
Qualifications:
1. A person who is licensed, registered, or certified as a PTA, if applicable, by the state in which practicing, unless licensure does not apply and meets one of the following requirements:
» Graduated from a PTA curriculum approved by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association; or, if educated outside the United States or trained in the United States military, graduated from an education program determined to be substantially equivalent to PTA entry-level education in the United States by a credentials evaluation organization approved by the American Physical Therapy Association or identified at 8 CFR 212.15(e); and
» Passed a national examination for PTAs.
Training:
1. At least one year of healthcare experience preferred.
2. Home health care experience preferred.
Responsibilities:
1. Provides therapy services and treatments to patients according to the patient’s plan of care.
2. Prepares clinical and progress notes.
3. Provides education to patients and families regarding a home exercise program.
4. Observe, record, and report the patient’s response to treatment and any changes in the patient’s condition to the PT.
5. Provides care/services to patients to relieve pain, develop and restore function, and maintain maximum performance by using appropriate treatments, procedures, and modalities according to the plan of care.
6. Physical therapy services may include:
» Therapeutic exercises and muscle strengthening.
» Gait training, including patient instruction on the use of assistive devices.
» Range of motion.
» Transfer training using appropriate equipment and body mechanics.
» Muscle re-education.
» Prosthetic training and stump conditioning.
7. Demonstrates competency in providing care/services and provides care/services in accordance with the plan of care.
8. Maintains accurate and timely documentation of care/services provided.
9. Report any changes in the patient’s condition or care plan to the PT.
10. Communicate with other team members, as appropriate, regarding the patient’s plan of care and update team members when there are changes.
11. Attends and participates in staff meetings, case conferences, educational in-services, and committee meetings, as appropriate.
12. Report incidents and grievances/complaints (patients and/or personnel) to the Clinical Manager.
13. Provide education and information to the patient and/or family members as appropriate to their care plan.
14. Report the patient’s progress and effectiveness in meeting goals to the PT.
15. Participate in the patient’s discharge planning.
16. Participates in the agency’s Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) program, as appropriate.
17. Adheres to the agency’s policies and procedures.
18. Maintains confidentiality of all aspects of job performance.
19. Practices proper infection control and utilizes PPE as indicated.
20. Only performs treatments or special procedures as authorized by the agency and deemed competent to perform by the PT.
21. Comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations in performing job functions.
22. Performs other related functions as directed.
Physical Demands:
The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions in this job description successfully.
1. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and sit, as well as talk and hear.
2. The employee is required to use hands to operate vehicles and office equipment.
3. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.
4. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.