Physical Therapy Assistant Purpose of Your Job Position The primary purpose of your job position is to assist the Physical Therapist in planning, directing and administering the Physical Therapy Services in accordance with current applicable federal, state, and local standards, guidelines and regulations, and as may be directed by the administrator, to assure that the highest degree of quality resident care can be maintained at all times. Delegation of Authority As a Physical Therapy Assistant you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out you're assigned duties. Job Functions Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is an essential function of the position. Duties and Responsibilities Administrative Functions Assist the Physical Therapist in planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing physical therapy, as well as its programs and activities, in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern the long-term care facility. Meet with administration, medical and nursing staff, as well as other related departments in planning therapy services. Assist in maintaining physical therapy standards as directed. Assist in standardizing the methods in which physical therapy will be accomplished. Interpret physical therapy policies and procedures to personnel, residents, family members, etc., as necessary. Participate in discharge planning, development and implementation of resident care plans, resident assessments, etc., as necessary. Assist the CQI Committee in developing and implementing appropriate plans of action to correct identified deficiencies. Maintain treatment records, resident files, and progress notes as required. Work with the facility's consultants as necessary and implement recommended changes as required. Ensure business office receives charges for physical therapy rendered to residents. Maintain an adequate liaison with families and residents. Interview residents, or family members, as necessary. Perform administrative requirements such as completing necessary forms, reports, etc., and submitting to the administrator as required. Others as deemed necessary and appropriate, or as may be directed by the Physical Therapist or Team Leader. Committee Functions Serve on, participate in, and/or attend various committees of the facility as required. Provide written and/or oral reports of the physical therapy programs and activities as required. Evaluate and implement recommendations from established committees as they may pertain to physical therapy services. Personnel Functions Provide guidance and training for new and/or less experienced personnel. Maintain an excellent working relationship with the medical profession and other health related facilities and organizations. Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the department. Develop and maintain a good working rapport with inter-department personnel, as well as other departments within the facility to assure that services and activities can be properly maintained to meet the needs of the residents. Assist in identifying and correcting problem areas and/or the improvement of services. Coordinate physical therapy with other departments. Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals in accordance with the facility's policies and procedures governing accidents and incidents. Therapy Functions Review request for physical therapy and physicians' orders. Participate in the development and implementation or resident assessments (MDS) and care plans, including quarterly reviews. Brief resident of procedures involved in physical therapy and prepare necessary equipment. Assist in transporting resident to and from physical therapy room/area. Demonstrate to residents and staff personnel, as necessary, the use of medical appliances involved in physical therapy (e.g., wheelchairs, crutches, canes, braces, and prosthetic appliances and devices). Perform physical therapy in resident's room as necessary. Reassure resident before and during therapy treatment. Prepare resident for treatment by dress/position and administer physical therapy in accordance with established policies and procedures. Determine proper equipment usage, application and body position, and make adjustments as necessary in the administration of physical therapy treatments (e.g., gait training, traction, whirlpool, etc.). Apply agents such as diathermy, ultrasound, infrared, massage, therapeutic exercise, etc., as required. Recommend modifications or changes in the resident's therapy program to the Physical Therapist based on own evaluation of progress. Ensure that all therapist notes are informative and descriptive of the care provided and of the resident's response to the care. Staff Development Participate and assist in departmental studies and projects as assigned or that may become necessary. Attend and participate in workshops, in-services, seminars, etc., to keep abreast of current changes in the health care field, as well as to maintain a professional status. Safety and Sanitation Assist in developing safety standards for the physical therapy department. Be alert for resident safety during any/all therapy. Assist in identifying and classifying departmental procedures that involve exposure to blood or body fluids. Update as necessary. Ensure that adequate supplies of personal protective equipment are on hand and are readily available performing procedures that involve exposure to blood or body fluids. Ensure that the therapy area is maintained in a clean and safe manner for resident comfort and convenience by assuring that necessary equipment and supplies are maintained to perform such duties/services. Report hazardous conditions or equipment to the Physical Therapist/Team Leader/Assistant Administrator. Report missing/illegible labels or MSDSs to the safety officer or other designated person. Make appropriate reports to the Physical Therapist as required or as may be necessary. Equipment and Supply Functions Provide necessary material/equipment for resident to perform required therapy. Assist in developing and implementing procedures that ensure physical therapy supplies are used in an efficient manner to avoid waste. Care Plan Functions Assist in developing physical therapy plans for individual residents in coordination and conjunction with the resident assessment (MDS). Involve the resident/family in planning objectives and goals for the resident. Ensure that physical therapy treatments are indicated on the care plan. Participate in the development and implementation of care plans, including quarterly reviews. Resident Rights Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information. Ensure that resident's rights to fair and equitable treatment, self determination, individuality, privacy, property and civil rights, including the right to wage a complaint, are well established and maintained at all times. Knock before entering the resident's room. Honor the resident's refusal of treatment request. Report such requests to the Director of Nursing Services. Abide by the resident's participation in treatment decision. Inform the resident of consequences of not participating in prescribed therapy and document such action in the resident's clinical record. Maintain a written record of the resident's complaint and/or grievances that indicates the action taken to resolve the complaint and the current status of the complaint. Allow the resident to participate in the planning and scheduling of his or her treatment. Working Conditions Works in office areas, therapy rooms, resident rooms, etc. Moves intermittently during working hours. Is subject to frequent interruptions. Is involved with physicians, residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances. Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel, and visitors. Communicates with the medical staff, nursing personnel, and other department supervisors. Works beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary, as well as in other positions as needed. Is subject to callback during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.). Is subject to exercising and massaging residents. Must be constantly alert for resident safety. Attends and participates in continuing educational programs as may be required by current regulations. Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, assaults from hostile residents, etc., throughout the workday, as well as reactions from dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and other air contaminants. Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including TB and the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses. Is subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals. Is subject to lifting, carrying and supporting residents. Maintains a liaison with the residents, their families, other departments, etc., to adequately plan for the resident's physical therapy needs. Education Requirements Must have completed a Physical Therapy Assistant training program from an accredited institution. Experience Must have, as a minimum, __________ year(s) experience in a therapy assistant capacity in a hospital, skilled nursing care facility, or other related medical facility. Must have training in rehabilitative and restorative therapy practices. Specific Requirements Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language. Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action in a timely fashion. Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public. Must be knowledgeable of physical therapy procedures. Must maintain the care and use of supplies, equipment, etc., and maintain the appearance of therapy areas. Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm as well as be willing to handle residents on whatever maturity level in which they are currently functioning. Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing therapy services. Must be able to relate information concerning a resident's condition. Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace. Physical and Sensory Requirements (With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices) Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday. Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner. Must be able to cope with the mental, emotional, and physical stress of the position. Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to assure that the requirements of this position can be fully met. Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, support agencies, and outside agencies. Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility, which include a medical and physical examination. Must be able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and, at times, hostile people within the facility. Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of 40 pounds to a minimum height of 3 feet and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 4 feet. May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations. Must be willing to perform tasks that may involve exposure to the resident's blood/body fluids