Job Title: Physical Therapy Assistant

Department: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

PART I: POSITION OVERVIEW

Position Summary:

The Physical Therapy Assistant is a skilled technical worker who performs physical therapy and related duties under the supervision of a physical therapist. The Physical Therapist Assistant is responsible for delivering the highest quality therapy services to patients in the most cost effective manner. The Physical Therapist Assistant conducts medically prescribed Physical Therapy programs to restore function and prevent disability following disease injury neurological impairment diagnosed syndrome or developmental delays; helps patients reach his/her maximum performance and integrate into an educational system and/or society while learning to live within the limits of his/her capabilities. The staff physical therapist assistant completes treatment documentation in accordance with facility standards. The above statements reflect the general duties considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job as identified and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the position.

Education/Experience:

Must be a graduate of an accredited course for the Physical Therapist Assistant.

Required Credentials (Licensure Certification or Registration):

Conforms to certification standards of the state of South Dakota. All new employees will attend CPR training and must be certified within 90 days of hire. American Physical Therapy Association/South Dakota Physical Therapy Association membership preferred.

Employment Variables:

Work hours may include varied day shifts weekends and holidays. Physical therapy is delivered to patients of all ages and includes inpatient outpatients and long term care. Initial Tuberculosis (TB) test and drug screening is required by Winner Regional Health. Rubella titer will also be drawn upon hire and immunization is required if no past exposure or indication of immunization. Required to wear name tag provided by WRH and to follow the dress code of WRH.

Job Knowledge and Skills:

The physical Therapist Assistant must possess the skills necessary to conduct Physical Therapy programs work with and understand the unique growth and developmental needs of a diverse age group of patients. Must understand and demonstrate proficiency in all Physical Therapy equipment and be able to learn and utilize new technology as the state of the art of Physical Therapy evolves.

Direct Supervisor:

Director of Rehab

PART II: CODE OF CONDUCT

Honesty

We will do the right thing at all times even if it is difficult maintaining strong ethical practices. We protect the confidentiality of others including patients staff and the facility as a whole. We will take responsibility for our actions.

Expertise

We will demonstrate superior judgment training and skill at all times demonstrating professionalism while doing so. We will perform all aspects of our job to the best of our ability utilizing all resources and tools available.

Approachability

We will be nonjudgmental friendly and open and willing to listen to everyone we come into contact with while performing our duties. We are humble and learn from others.

Respect

We will be understanding and sensitive to others feelings; caring and responding in a manner that sets them at ease keeping the situation in perspective without minimizing others feelings or reactions. We will listen to others with full attention in a sincere civil fashion being careful not to be judgmental of the speaker. We maintain composure when facing conflict and avoid jumping to conclusions and defaming anothers name.

Teamwork

We willingly work together with a common approach trusting and supporting members of our organization using our skills and resources sharing information to achieve a common aim.

PART III: ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Essential functions are critical or fundamental to the performance of the job. They are the major functions for which the person in the job is held accountable. Following are the essential functions of the job along with the corresponding performance standards.

Function

Explanation

Patient Care

Monitor patient status/change in functional abilities as needed during the course of therapy. Demonstrates critical thinking skills related to patient with multiple medical diagnoses and medical/physical/cognitive challenges; advanced critical thinking skills outside ones own discipline/awareness of indications and contraindications of specific therapies to make recommendations and to suggest therapy services. Coordinates/participates with interdisciplinary team to ensure patient safety and comfort. Provides formal/informal education to patients/families/interdisciplinary team related to individual patient needs or physical therapy services. Develops a therapeutic relationship with the patient. Utilizes support staff effectively in ensuring proper patient care. Designs fits and obtains appropriate adaptive equipment and orthotic devices

Maintains Workload

Prepares daily work schedule with recognition of department interdisciplinary staff and patients needs. The therapist will demonstrates ability to manage high volume caseload and dynamic schedule rescheduling and prioritizing of patient load as appropriate. Demonstrates the ability to be flexible/problem solve as roadblocks occur and the ability to organize a fast paced schedule in multiple areas (LTC hospital etc. of the facility. Demonstrates efficiency organization with task and uses downtime productively.

Record Keeping

Completes physical therapy notes and other documentation within department established time frames and format. Submits appropriate physical therapy charges within department established time frames and format. Keeps manuals forms records and informational materials up to date. Documentation is reflective of the patients history medical/functional status pain level subjective/objective data treatment plan and goals. Interdisciplinary documentation is completed per department guidelines.

Continuing Education

Must possess a willingness and ability to learn and utilize new technology and procedures that develop within our department.

Educational Programs

Provides ongoing needs assessments to determine employee and organizational needs. Collaborates with staff managers and other educators to identify educational needs. Develops educational programs based on assessment findings and healthcare changes and trends so all programs incorporate current information. Implements programs based on PI input competence issues and requests and/or needs.

Develops/coordinates inservices throughout the year. Evaluates programs.

Liaison

Serves as a resource for affiliated programs as evidenced by committee attendance. Serves as an information resource for community agencies and organizations.

Other Departmental Responsibilities

Willingly accepts assignments from department manager in the best interest of the department. Takes an active role in department. Performs and participates in educational actives or in services to staff nursing and/or public.

PART IV: COMPLIANCE

Compliance

Must comply with the Corporate Compliance Policy and all laws rules regulations and standards of conduct relating to the position. The employee has a duty to report any suspected violations of the law or the standards of conduct to his/her immediate Supervisor Compliance Officer or the Chief Executive Officer.

PART V: PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

General Activity

In a regular workday employee may:

Sit

.51

Hours at a time; up to

2

Hours during the day

Stand

12

Hours at a time; up to

2

Hours during the day

Walk

12

Hours at a time; up to

56

Hours during the day

Motion

Employee is required: (In terms of a regular workday Occasionally equals 1 to 33 Frequently 34 to 66 Continuously greater than 67.

Bend/Stoop

Frequently

Kneel Duration 30 sec

Squat

Balance

Continuously

Crawl Distance

Occasionally

Twist

Never

Climb Height

Occasionally

Keyboarding/Mousing

Reach above shoulder level

Physical Demand

Employees job requires he/she carry and lift loads from the floor from 12 inches from the floor to shoulder height and overhead. Employees job requires a pushing/pulling force to move a load (not the weight of the load).

Physical Demand Classification:

Carrying/lifting weight and pushing/pulling force:

Medium

Occasionally

50 lbs

Frequently

25 lbs.

Constantly

10 lbs

Sensory Requirements:

Yes/No

Explanation (if Yes)

Speech

Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately loudly or quickly.

Need to be able to verbally give instructions/input to patients/families coworkers various health professionals in person and/or via phone. Emergencies may arise that requires immediate verbalization/assistance.

Vision (VDT)

Are there specific vision requirements for the job

Considerable amount of ambulation/exercise with debilitated weak patients must be able to physically and visually monitor patients i.e. color changes gait deviations transfer and safety equipment operation.

Hearing

Ability to receive detailed information through oral communications and to make fine discriminations in sound; i.e. making fine adjustments on machine parts using a telephone taking blood pressures.

Listening to patients/families/coworkers/various health professionals in person or via phone. Hearing emergency calls codes via operator call system equipment alarms. Blood pressure assessments.

Smell

Wound assessments/odor. Need for attention to patient/bowels. Ability to smell smoke/gas/chemicals patient/employee safety.

Environmental Factors

Yes/No

Explanation (if Yes)

Working on unprotected heights

Yes

Elevated mat table

Being around moving machinery

Yes

CPMs traction carts wheelchairs tilt table hydraulic lifts exercise equipment

Exposure to marked changes in temperature and humidity

Outings outdoor therapy

Driving automotive equipment

Home visits

Wearing personal protective equipment

Gowns gloves masks face shields eye protection

Exposure to dust flames and gases

Yes

Helicopter fumes dust building projects

Exposure to extreme noise or vibration

Exposure to blood body fluids and waste

Yes

Wounds sputum bowel/bladder body secretions

Exposure to radiation

Oncology implants nuclear med

Exposure to other hazards (i.e. mechanical electrical burns or explosives)

Yes

Cleaning chemicals

Emotional/Psychological Factors

Yes/No

Explanation (if Yes)

Stress: Exposed to stressful situations

Emergency situations may arise at any times medically unstable individuals CPR may need to be initiated. Certain situations arise that need to be handled tactfully i.e. upset patients personnel doctors. A high patient caseload and/or decrease in staff to accommodate the workload. Scheduling difficulties.

Concentration: Must be able to concentrate on work tasks amidst distractions.

Several patients/therapists working in area at same time gym treatment areas. Staffroom while writing notes can be distracting with talking/phones. Various machines/alarms/equipment in patient rooms or in department. May need to work in a variety of settings and within a very active work space whether it is classroom office or laboratory.

SelfControl

Several patients/therapists working in area at same time gym treatment areas. Staffroom while writing notes can be distracting with talking/phones. Various machines/alarms/equipment in patient rooms or in department.

PART VI: JOB RELATIONSHIPS

Supervises

No supervisory responsibilities

Unlicensed personnel

Supervisory responsibility

# Direct Reports: 0

# Indirect Reports: Students

Age of Patient Populations Served

Neonates: 130 days

Infant: 30 days 1 yr

Children: 1 12 yrs

Adolescents: 13 18 yrs

Adults: 19 70 yrs

Geriatrics: 70 yrs

All

Not applicable

Internal Contacts

Patients

Providers: (i.e. Physicians Therapists Social Workers)

Staff: (i.e. clinical and administrative support staff)

Volunteers

Others:

External Contacts

Patients

Families/Significant Others

Providers

Vendors

Community and Health Agencies

Regulatory agencies

Other: Job Applicants

PART VII: EMPLOYEE STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING

I have read and understand the job description for my position. I am able to perform all of the essential functions of this position.

I have read and understand the job description for my position and I request reasonable accommodation(s). (Please describe in detail how you propose to perform the essential functions of the position.

I agree to comply with the Corporate Compliance and all laws rules regulations and standards of conduct relating to my position. As an employee I understand my duty to report any suspected violations of the law or the standards of conduct to my immediate supervisor Compliance Officer or the Chief Executive Officer.

Supervisor Date

Employee Date

Revised: 06.2021