Physical Therapist Assistant, Er

Job Requirements

Organizational Requirements

Adventist Health is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our associates and patients. Therefore, we require that all associates receive all required vaccinations as a condition of employment and annually thereafter, where applicable. Medical and religious exemptions may apply.

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Job Summary

• Cost Accounting Type: Variable Direct
• Exempt: No
• Provides expert treatment skills in specialty areas of Physical Therapy having achieved certification in Wound Care, Ergonomics, or other clinical specialties. Works under limited supervision of a physical therapist while administering various APTA standard physical therapy treatments for disabilities, injuries, and diseases, to relieve pain, restore motor function, and maintain optimal performance by a means of special therapeutic exercises, heat treatments, massages, hydrotherapy treatments, electricity, etc., or as otherwise prescribed by the attending physician. This position is represented by RCHEA.

Standards of Behavior

Line of Responsibility and Authority

• LINE OF AUTHORITY: Physical Therapist Assistant - Director of Rehabilitation Services

Professionalism and Self-Development

Education and Qualifications

• EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Associates degree in physical therapy or a degree in a related field of equivalent from two-year college of technical school
• EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: More than 10 years of experience, with expert treatment skills in specialty areas of Physical Therapy having achieved certification in Wound Care, Ergonomics or other clinical specialties
• LICENSES OR CERTIFICATIONS: A valid California drivers license when travel is required
• LICENSES OR CERTIFICATIONS: Certificate in physical therapy assistant or eligible for registration as physical therapy assistant in the State of California
• LICENSES OR CERTIFICATIONS: Current CPR course completion
• LICENSES OR CERTIFICATIONS: Licensed California Physical Therapy Assistant
• LICENSES OR CERTIFICATIONS: Member of APTA preferred
• QUALIFICATIONS: Able to organize and monitor the work of others
• QUALIFICATIONS: Able to relate effectively with patients, nurses, physicians and other hospital/home health staff in a courteous, professional manner
• QUALIFICATIONS: Able to work independently with minimal supervision
• QUALIFICATIONS: Analytical and diagnostic ability capable to interpreting patient physicians orders for physical therapy patients and developing an effective treatment plan as needed
• QUALIFICATIONS: Evidence of automobile insurance when travel is required
• QUALIFICATIONS: Utilizes good oral and written communication skills sufficient to meet the demands of the job

Physical Requirements/Work Environment/Use of Senses and Communications Skills

• ACCOMMODATIONS: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee typically encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the key responsibilities and essential functions
• CONFIDENTIALITY: Employee must conform with all HIPAA and other confidentiality regulations as required by the job, department, or hospital
• EQUIPMENT USED: Cell phone
• EQUIPMENT USED: General office equipment, including computer, printer, calculator, copy machine and other office equipment
• EQUIPMENT USED: Physical therapy equipment such as hot packs, fomentations, electrical stimulation, modalities, exercise equipment, weights, walking aides, computer exercise equipment, 02 saturation equipment, whirlpools, wheelchairs, traction devices, and diathermy
• PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS (c): This job requires frequent standing, walking, reaching, talking, and hearing, and occasional stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, climbing, working from ladders, using hands to handle and feel objects, tools, or controls, and reaching with hands and arms. Vision requirements include close, distance, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee will occasionally lift boxes and/or supplies weighing up to 80 pounds. The employee must demonstrate a lift of a 50 pound box from the floor.
• POTENTIAL EXPOSURE TO BLOOD & BODY FLUIDS: Category 3 for potential exposure to blood/body fluids. (Does not require the performance of procedures or other tasks in the work routine that involve exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues, and the assisting in cases of emergency medical care or first aid is not a requirement of employment. Tasks that involve handling of implements or utensils, use of the public or shared bathroom facilities, telephones, and personal contacts such as handshaking, are all considered Category 3 tasks.)

Job Roles

Physical Therapist Assistant, Ergonomics & Wound Care (AHCL)

• Administers and performs standard physical therapy procedures which include, but are not limited to the following practices: active/passive exercise, massage, walking, running, muscle re-education using such PT modalities as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, traction devices, fomentations, whirlpools, etc., and give instruction on the correct use of wheelchairs, crutches, canes, leg, arm, neck and back braces, prosthetic devices, etc.
• Assists with ongoing collaborative interdisciplinary planning to ensure high quality home health care services.
• Assumes responsibility for observing work schedule and job requirements, maintaining compliance with hospital and departmental policies including overtime, attendance, vacation, confidentiality, etc., and completing assigned projects in a timely manner.
• Attends case conferences to evaluate and discuss patients progress and future plans for therapy.
• Attends departmental staff meetings and Inservice meetings as required.
• Conforms to established departmental quality assurance standards and procedures on a regular basis. Participates in the Performance Improvement Plan activities as requested or needed.
• Demonstrates and instructs patients and other home health clinical staff on the proper use of PT modalities, massage, various exercises, etc., to use between treatments. Instructs patients family/caregivers on prescribed discharge program when necessary.
• Documents patients progress by recording necessary information of treatment records, patients files, and writes and/or charts progress notes daily or as required.
• Implements treatment under direction of the Physical Therapist and the Physicians orders. Checks with physical therapist periodically to reassess and plan additional therapy for the patient. Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care/service appropriate to the age of the patients/individuals served.
• Keeps current on the latest developments in physical therapy by reading professional literature, participating in education classes, etc., in order to demonstrate competence for the position.
• Maintains and meets expectations on time for all competencies, license, certifications and education requirements as outlined by local administration, Adventist Health (AH), The Joint Commission (TJC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and all other regulatory agencies.
• Orients patient to all therapeutic procedures involved and comforts patient by constantly reassuring the patient through the entire treatment session.
• Prepares patient and various PT modalities such as traction devices and exercise equipment, for prescribed physical treatments as needed. Instructs other home health clinical staff on correct traction procedures when needed.
• Provides patient care in specialty areas and under the supervision of the Physical Therapist is responsible for treatment, program development and marketing of skill sets achieved after certification in aforementioned areas.

Provides in-servicing and education to department, hospital and physician staff and the general public as required.

• Reports patient progress or any complications directly to the attending physician as needed.
• Schedules and completes visits within established timeframes.
• Takes initiative to contact physical therapist or other home health care professionals as needed to ensure quality care for the patient.
• Willingly performs other duties and innovations as assigned.

Adventist Health is a faith-based, nonprofit, integrated health system serving more than 100 communities on the West Coast and Hawaii with over 440 sites of care, including 27 acute care facilities.

Founded on Adventist heritage and values, Adventist Health provides care in hospitals, clinics, home care, and hospice agencies in both rural and urban communities.

Our compassionate and talented team of more than 38,000 includes employees, physicians, Medical Staff, and volunteers driven in pursuit of one mission: living God's love by inspiring health, wholeness and hope.