Physical Therapist Assistant
Summary of Position:
The Physical Therapist Assistant directly provides physical therapy services to patients in their homes or residences. The Physical Therapist Assistant provides care as ordered by the physician, delegated by the Physical Therapist, follows policies/procedures and conditions of participation, and regularly reports to their supervisor. The incumbent facilitates the implementation of the plan of care as outlined by the physician and supervised by the Physical Therapist. In addition, the incumbent is responsible for all required documentation related to the care they provide and communicates pertinent information regarding the patient to all appropriate health care team members.
Nature and Scope:
The role of the Physical Therapist Assistant is to provide those services related to their field of practice as directed by the Physical Therapist. This position interfaces with all levels of home care staff as required by the Medicare Conditions of Participation and JCAHO.
Qualifications:
- Graduate of an accredited Physical Therapy Assistant school and possesses, at minimum, an Associate Degree.
- Current licensure to practice as a Physical Therapist Assistant in Ohio.
- One year clinical experience in an acute care setting preferred. Clinical experience should have occurred within the last three years unless currently employed in home care.
- Must be capable of repeated standing, stooping, bending and lifting up to 50 lbs.
- Must be able to creatively adapt multiple environments and situations for successful outcomes.
- Must be self-directed and able to work with little supervision.
- Computer skills preferred.
- Home care experience preferred.
Accountabilities:
- Demonstrates ability to follow clinical process:
- Follows plan of care established by the Physical Therapist.
- Reviews plan of care with the Physical Therapist as necessary.
- Implements and delivers services according to the plan of care. Assesses and documents the patient’s response to treatment.
- Observes and monitors the medical status and rehabilitation progress of the patient on an ongoing basis with appropriate intervention.
- Complies with all agency regulations/policies/procedures:
- Submits timely documentation as per policy.
- Follows agency and governing bodies’ standards of practice.
- Responds to referrals in a timely manner as per policy.
- Performs documentation using systems designated by Fidelity Health Care.
- Demonstrates effective communication skills when dealing with internal and external customers.
- Demonstrates effective case management skills:
- Communicates with the case manager and/or other disciplines involved a minimum of every 62 days and/or at recertification or more often if condition warrants.
- Communicates all pertinent clinical and psychosocial information to home care team members via daily visit notes, interdisciplinary reports, and case communications and conferences.
- Demonstrates knowledge and utilization of home care rehabilitation and community resources.
- Provides patient/family teaching regarding disease process and prevention, infection control, home safety, home exercise programs, and management of the patient in the home setting related to rehab diagnoses.
- Utilizes the Home Care Aide, as directed by the Physical Therapist, as an extension of therapy in cases where appropriate.
- Prepares patients for discharge as directed by the Physical Therapist. Notifies all disciplines, physician and home care agency of discharge and completes the discharge summary as per policy.
- Participates in agency quality assurance/improvement activities and team/work groups.
- Attends all scheduled inservices and staff meetings as per policy.
- Strives to maintain/improve home care and clinical education for self and/or community.
- Performs case workload review as designated by the supervisor.
- Appropriately arranges time off coverage and communicates this with the agency.
- Maintains average productivity expectation as established by the agency.
- Other duties as assigned.