DescriptionSummary:
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 theircontraindications.
- 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 toexpect 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. Solicitsdemonstration of exercises contained in home exercise program to ensure maximum benefit.
Conferences and Collaboration:
- Prepares for team/supervision conferences in advance. Reports patientstatus 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 endorsementsfor patients as needed.
- Coordinates with peers so that support personnel are maximized withminimal 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 andpotential 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 onrole of PT and appropriate use of services.
- Remains aware of department goals and requirements - productivity, patientsafety 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 adjunctsupervision.
- 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 CHRISTUSmission, 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
