Lafayette Hospital + Clinics (LH+C) – Physical Therapist Assistant
JOB TITLE: Physical Therapist Assistant
Reports to: Rehabilitation Services Manager
Position Qualifications:
• Graduate of a physical therapist assistant education program approved by the APTA
• Active physical therapist assistant license in the state of Wisconsin
• No exclusion from participation in Medicare, Medicaid, or other Federal healthcare programs
• Minimum of one year recent experience in areas related to assignments desirable but not required
• Possess or be eligible for a valid Wisconsin driver’s license
Position Summary:
• The Physical Therapist Assistant’s (PTA) role is to assist the physical therapist in patient/client related activities, to perform such procedures delegated to him/her that are commensurate with his/her education and training.
Position Responsibilities:
• Ability to demonstrate professional responsibility and leadership skills.
• Ability to demonstrate excellent communication skills with co-workers, administration, other professionals, patients and family members.
• Ability to comply with MHLC and Therapy Department personnel policies and practices.
• Ability to take responsibility for self and professional development.
• Responsible for demonstrating fiscal responsibility.
• Responsible for demonstrating team-building skills.
• Responsible for demonstrating advocacy towards patient/families including an awareness of customer satisfaction, an understanding of patient rights and responsibilities, confidentiality, informed consent, advance care planning, process for resolution of conflict in care or treatment decisions, organizational ethics (Code of Ethics), Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)/Resuscitation Plan, and Compliance Plan.
• Gathers data relevant to the patients’ individual needs.
o Performs age-specific observations.
o Pediatric (0-17 years)
o Young Adult (18-44 years)
o Adult/Middle-Age (45-65 years)
o Later Adult (Geriatric) – (> 65 years)
• Observes cognitive status.
• Observes sensory status.
• Observes neuromuscular status.
• Observes cardiopulmonary status.
• Observes range of motion.
• Observes strength.
o Manual muscle test
o Strength testing equipment
o Dynamometer
• Observes posture.
• Observes gait.
• Observes functional activities.
• Observes vital signs.
• Observes edema.
• Observes balance/coordination.
• Observes patient’s response to treatment.
• Observes for signs of abuse.
o Sexual
o Domestic
o Child
o Elderly
o Substance
• Assists in the implementation of the plan of care.
o Utilizes physical agents,
o Performs manual techniques.
Soft tissue mobilization
Manual traction
o Utilizes exercise with equipment.
o Utilizes exercises without equipment.
o Provides adaptive and other home equipment.
Assistive devices
External supports
Orthotics/prosthetics
Electrical stimulation devices
Traction devices
Exercise equipment
o Cares for the orthopedic patient.
Spine
Extremities
o Cares for cardiopulmonary patients.
o Cares for cardiac rehab patients.
o Cares for neurological patient.
o Cares for patients in aquatic setting.
o Educates patient/family/caregiver.
o Assists with discharge planning.
o Initiates/assists patient with cardiopulmonary arrest.
o Participates in patient care conferences
• Psychological Component
o Cares for patient with altered body image.
o Cares for patient with anxiety.
o Cares for patient with depression.
o Cares for the grieving patient/family.
• Demonstrates organizational skills.
o Prioritizes patient care responsibilities.
o Revises patient care priorities as needed while keeping physical therapist informed.
o Demonstrates ability to adapt responses to unexpected events.
o Utilizes support personnel to assist with departmental activities.
o Completes assignments within specified time frame.
• Demonstrates communication responsibilities.
o Communicates patient information to physical therapist, physician, and other health care professionals
o Demonstrates documentation per protocol using department forms, incident reports, flow sheets, patient charges, and supply requests.
o Complies with policy for receiving physician orders.
o Demonstrates procedure for calling a medical emergency.
o Demonstrates how to place overhead pages.
• Complies with health and safety standards and guidelines.
o Maintains a safe environment.
o Follows procedures for reporting and recording of health and safety-related incidents.
o Describes Record Access Plan.
o Complies with emergency plan.
o Complies with policies and procedures on fire safety.
o Complies with standards/guidelines on electrical safety.
o Complies with standards/guidelines on fall prevention/protection.
o Complies with standards/guidelines for ergonomic safety.
o Manages equipment safety.
o Complies with standards/guidelines on chemical safety.
o Complies with standards/guidelines for biohazard safety.
o Complies with standards/guidelines on bloodborne pathogen exposure control.
o Complies with standards/guidelines on Tuberculosis (TB).
o Complies with standards/guidelines on respiratory protection.
o Complies with standards/guidelines on personal protective equipment (PPE).
o Complies with standards/guidelines on physical restraints.
o Complies with standards/guidelines on workplace violence.
• Performs other duties as requested.
EQUIPMENT TO BE USED:
• Use of physical therapy department equipment such as transfer and transporting equipment, ambulation equipment, and testing and treatment equipment.
• Use of office equipment such as telephone, copy machine, FAX, paging system, etc.
Skills:
• Must have strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Must have an understanding of the physical and emotional stresses that occur with illness and disease and be able to work with individuals under these stresses.
• Must be able to interact and practice in collaboration with a variety of healthcare professionals.
• Must have the ability to motivate people and create a positive work environment.
• Must have the ability to resolve problems quickly and effectively.
• Must display a high degree of emotional maturity while keeping difficult situations in proper perspective.
Physical Demands:
• Full range of body motion and dexterity to allow for the significant handling, transferring, pushing/pulling, and lifting of patients and equipment.
• The ability to frequently lift, carry, push, or pull up to 75 lb. and occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull over 75 lb.
• Standing and walking 85% of the time and sitting 15% of the time.
• Eye-hand coordination, finger dexterity, odor and color perception and discrimination, functional visual ability and depth perception, functional sound perception and discrimination.
• Frequent bending, kneeling, climbing, twisting, reaching at/or above and below shoulder level, and balancing.
• Wearing gloves and other protective equipment.
• Working under stressful conditions or working irregular hours
Typical Mental Demands:
• Ability to deal with pressure to meet deadlines, to be accurate, to handle constantly changing situations, and to create a positive work environment.
• Ability to deal with a variety of people, stressful situations, and handle conflict, while maintaining a positive work environment.
• Ability to communicate in a professional manner both verbally and in writing.
• Ability and willingness to gain new skills and knowledge necessary for the performance of essential job functions.
• Ability to give, receive and analyze information for the performance of essential job functions.
• Must be mentally adaptable and flexible in dealing with a variety of people and facilities to create a positive work environment. Is frequently called upon to handle difficult situations.
• Must be able to deal with a variety of emotions and frustrations. Emotional stability and personal maturity are important attributes in this position.
• Must be able to resolve problems, handle conflicts, and make effective decisions under pressure. Must be able to give, receive, and analyze information. Must be able to remember multiple messages, information, and task assignments for up to 8 hours.
• Must be able to effectively communicate, providing verbal feedback and written documentation in a professional manner. Requires public contact and excellent interpersonal skills.
Working Conditions
• Exposure to disagreeable odors, communicable diseases, and bodily fluids; exposure to chemicals such as disinfectants, cleansers, soap, etc.; exposure to latex, plastic, and other materials used for personal protective equipment.
• Exposure to unpredictable patient behaviors.
• Requires independent car travel to facilities.
Essential Performance Requirements:
• Extensive knowledge of the organization policies, procedures, systems and objectives.
Employee Responsibility in an Emergency:
As an employee of Lafayette Hospital + Clinics, you are expected to respond to emergencies involving the safety of patients, other employees, visitors and the facility. This includes the ability to assist with a possible evacuation of facility if that has been deemed necessary.
Management Statement:
This job description is not intended to be all inclusive. The employee will also perform other reasonable job related duties as assigned by the Hospital Committee. The Hospital Committee reserves the right to change job responsibilities, duties and hours as needs prevail. This document is for management communication only and not intended to imply a written or implied contract of employment.
Deadline Note: 11:59PM