Physical Therapy Assistant

[Job Summary: The physical therapy assistant conducts client/patient treatments as designated by the supervising physical therapist. He/she use physical therapy treatment procedures to help improve mobility and relieve pain and disability caused by disease or injury. Assures resident safety.

[Essential Functions and Responsibilities: ]{new="" roman="" times=""}]{new="" roman="" times=""}

• Measures motor function, balance, coordination, muscle strength, performance and range of motion while assessing the client's ability to function independently
• Observes client's during treatments to compile and evaluate data on clients' responses and progress and reports to the physical therapist recommending adjustments and modifications in order to achieve maximum benefit
• Reports pertinent changes in client's status to the physical therapist and clinical case manager
• Provides information to the client/caregiver about the proposed intervention, its material risks and expected benefits and any reasonable alternatives
• Enhances a client's strength, flexibility, range of motion, motor control and reduce any pain or discomfort that the client is experiencing
• Identify and document goals, anticipated progress and plans for re-evaluation
• Help client accomplish treatment plan and accept therapeutic devices by administering manual exercises; instructing, encouraging, and assisting clients in performing physical activities, such as non-manual exercises, ambulatory/functional activities, daily living activities and in using assistive and supportive devices such as walkers, canes and other prostheses
• Performs manual muscle testing, therapeutic exercises and massage therapy along with using physical agents of heat and cold for prevention, correction and alleviation of disease and injury
• Measures, fits and requisitions prostheses, orthopedic and other supporting devices necessary for increasing the client's independence
• Teaches/instructs clients/caregivers to use orthopedic braces, prostheses and supportive devices
• Completes all required forms and records
• Maintains and ensures current comprehensive documentation of patient assessments, clinical records, services provided, reports and other required information
• Completes documentation at point of service.
• Routinely provide assistance to residents which requires lifting, pushing and balancing the equivalent of 50 pounds or greater
• Supports and adheres to all agency policies and procedures.
• Assure resident safety at all times.

[Other Functions and Responsibilities: ]{new="" roman="" times=""}

• Other duties as requested or assigned.

[Working Conditions: ]{new="" roman="" times=""}

• Usually works indoors but may work outside on occasion.
• May be exposed to noises or sound levels that are distracting. Medical equipment can sometimes be loud
• Work very near others, routinely come into contact with clients throughout the day
• May be exposed to contaminants
• Often exposed to diseases or infections from contact with clients
• May have to get into awkward positions to reach cramped work spaces

[Educational, Physical, and Other Requirements: ]{new="" roman="" times=""}

Employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations. Physical requirements may include frequent use of hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear. The employee may be required to lift, stand; walk; sit; climb or balance; stoop; kneel; crouch or crawl; and smell. Vision abilities may require close vision, distant vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

[For the safety and security of our residents and patients, employees must be able to read, write, and verbally communicate in English, which ]{new="" roman="" times=""}