Careers

The Physical Therapist Assistant performs selected patient treatments under the general supervision of the Supervisor and/or Physical Therapist, Director or his/her designee.  Prepares patients and equipment for treatment; helps perform the housekeeping duties of the department; performs other diverse duties as required or requested.

REPORTS TO:

Rehab Supervisor

REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS:

• One (1) year of department/facility experience preferred; entry level acceptable if individual skills are above average.
• Must have verification card of current instruction in CPR.
• Must be a graduate from an accredited Physical Therapist Assistant Program.

POSITION DUTIES:  ESSENTIAL

• Ensures the safety of patients.
• Prepares equipment for patient treatments as requested by the Physical Therapist.
• Performs housekeeping duties of their areas by routine and periodic cleaning; to maintain order and cleanliness throughout the department/facility as needed.
• Assists the Physical Therapist in selected procedures, according to the Physical Therapist’s directions, by checking patient and equipment during treatment for both comfort and safety; to aid inpatient care in the department/facility.
• Practices Physical Therapy consistent with the American Physical Therapy Association Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice policy in the manual for a Physical Therapist Assistant.
• To maintain a patient treatment schedule consistent with the needs of the department/facility.
• To confer with the Physical Therapist most closely associated with the Active management of the patient and to keep them informed of patient needs for treatment modification, and/or progression.
• To treat patients of all ages (e.g., infants, children, adolescents, adults, geriatrics, elderly, (ages 0-120 years), race, creed, gender and disability without bias or prejudice and according to age specific appropriate treatments.
• To respect and understand the patient’s rights to treatment and right to involvement in treatment decisions.
• To practice ethical responsibility based on cultural, ethnic and religious beliefs of the patients served and applicable law.
• Assists with bookkeeping procedures when necessary, and charting of their assigned area, assuring confidentiality of all records.  Performs other duties as requested by opening the department/facility in the mornings; by ordering and putting away clean linen; by ordering supplies and putting them in their proper place; by doing other jobs as requested or required.
• Under the supervision of the Physical Therapist, he/she is trained to perform certain physical therapy treatments.
• Responsible for supervising volunteers and Physical Therapy Assistant Students and patients receiving treatment in their assigned area.
• Responsible for the care of equipment, machines, supplies and facility.
• Must be familiar with cleaning agents and methods; physical layout of department/facility; techniques of handling patients; policies, procedures, and regulations; operations of department/facility equipment; knowledge of physical therapy techniques; general anatomy, physiology, physics, medical science, etc.
• Must be able to apply the theory of Physical Therapy at the level consistent with PTA education from an accredited institution; have the ability and competency to operate the equipment of his or her position; perform technical procedures, speak intelligently and in a professional manner before others; supervision and management skills.
• Skill in techniques of patient handling, for patient’s protection, efficiently assisting the patients; operation of department/facility equipment.  Skill in various physical therapy treatment techniques.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with patients, doctors, and personnel; must make decisions on his/her own; adapt to emergency situations; alert to changes in the patient’s condition; alert to all activities of the department/facility.
• Must be willing to work under direction and take instructions and corrections; ability to reason, to remember names, and details of instructions.  Must be alert, adaptable and flexible.
• Must have coordination of sight and body movements in various applications of procedures, techniques of assisting and handling patients and the ability to handle the tools and machines of the profession.
• Must be thoughtful of others, gently, courteous, patient, neat, appropriately dressed, healthy, friendly, above average intelligence, good memory, tactful.  Should have ability to organize his or her time in order to treat the maximum number of patients in the allotted working day.  Attendance required according to the hospital policy.
• Must conduct himself/herself with professional dignity.  Must be pleasant and tactful.  Must maintain optimum physical and emotional health; understands the importance of good human relations; able to motivate others broad interest; possess strength of all extremities and back; initiative and good judgment; flexibility, enthusiasm, thoroughness.
• Requires minimal supervision; instructions from Physical Therapist regarding new patients,  and Home Health patients.
• Observes all infection control and safety policies and procedures.
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge of BCMH Corporate Compliance plan, Code of Conduct and reporting process of any compliance concerns.
• Shall be responsible for completing educational requirements.
• Complies with HIPAA requirements for security and confidentiality.
• Actively participates in the overall organizational/department performance improvement plans.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Physical Therapy Supervisor or Therapist.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES:  ESSENTIAL

• Good physical stamina in this department/facility; fairly strong, energetic, much walking, standing, writing, stooping,  carrying, talking, seeing, bending, handling, color vision, speed; healthy back is necessary; able to be on your feet most of the day.  Proper body mechanics should be used.
• Able to walk, stand, stoop, lift, balance, sit, kneel, hear, reach, pull, talk, see, turn, carry, push, handle, write.  The degree to which any of these is done depends on the techniques being used.
• May be exposed to muscular strain in supporting, lifting or assisting patients.
• Must actively participate and adhere to policies and procedures as enumerated in the risk management program and QA.
• Must keep current and adhere to policies and procedures as enumerated in the policy and procedures manual of the department/facility.
• A high degree of accuracy is required in carrying out prescriptions; in receiving and translating information; in charting and reporting.
• I understand and agree to uphold the written responsibilities listed, but not limited to, in the department/facility’s job description to the best of my abilities.  I understand that in order to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of my job description that my hours required at work may exceed that of a typical staff employee (e.g. 8:00 – 4:00).  I also understand that the intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of my major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this position.  Incumbents may be required to perform other job related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
• I understand that my job description is to be used as a guide for conduct in the employment setting and is not a contract or offer of a contract of employment terms, and cannot be relied upon as such.

SENSORY AND COMMUNICATIVE ACTIVITIES:  ESSENTIAL

• Feeling
• Hearing
• Seeing
• Speaking

ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE:

• Indoors under normal temperatures; adequate light, ventilation, and space.  Works mostly with others, occasionally alone; moderate noise from equipment and instruction of patients.  Some work in patients home during Home Health visits.
• Conditions of work may involve exposure to communicable diseases and on the job injuries.

BCMH CORE VALUES

EMPLOYEE PLEDGES TO:

HOSPITALITY

• I will exceed our customer’s expectations by going above and beyond traditional duties. I will make every effort to walk patients/visitors to their destinations and show courtesy by smiling and initiating and responding to greetings. I will make every effort to keep patients and family members comfortable and informed; and if delays arise, I will apologize and keep patients/visitors up to date. I will always ask a patient/visitor if there is anything else that I may help them with.
• I will answer the phone promptly identifying the hospital (for external calls), my department, and my name.
• I will never tell a patient, visitor, or co-worker “That’s not my job” or that I cannot do something because we are “short-staffed”. I will, to the best of my abilities, help the patient/visitor/co-worker or find the appropriate person to assist them.
• I will explain bills, tests, and procedures to patients and family. I will encourage questions and provide the customer with choices within my scope of practice.
• I will immediately acknowledge an unanswered call light by entering the room stating who I am and asking “How may I help you?” If I cannot fulfill the request, I will seek out the appropriate caregiver.

JUSTICE

• I will treat others as I would like to be treated, with honesty and tact. Coach, don’t criticize; Praise, don’t condemn; Listen, don’t react; and Cheer, don’t complain. I will remember that my attitude, words, vocal tone, body language, and action have tremendous power.
• I will consider at all times: are my actions and attitude nice, honest and necessary?

RESPECT

• I will respect individual privacy and discuss patient, staff, family or visitor related issues or problems with appropriate personnel on a need to know basis and in the appropriate setting.
• I will display compassion and empathy regardless of an individual’s social, spiritual, economic or education status.
• I will display confidence in BCMH as a healthcare facility, by speaking positively, both internally and externally, about the facility I work for.
• I will establish trust by following through on requests and communicate barriers or delays that may occur.

TEAMWORK

• I will recognize that fun and laughter belong in the workplace, in the appropriate setting and situation. I will recognize staff that participates in facility activities that promote fun, involvement, and working together.
• I will be innovative and consistently seek ways to improve services without negatively pre-judging new possibilities. I will remember that change is inevitable and accept it with an open mind and a positive attitude.
• I will come to work on time and be prepared by wearing my name badge and appropriate attire. I will follow BCMH policies related to breaks, personal phone calls, and overtime. I will complete all mandatory educational requirements (i.e. Carelearning and in-services/training) in the time required.
• I will be flexible and show a willingness to help out in order to get the job done (i.e. cross-training) I will be kind and patient with new staff, by teaching and mentoring and remembering that everyone was “new” once.