PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT

Fort Defiance Indian Hospital Board, Inc.; Arizona; On-site; USD 39,991 - 49,579; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Arizona is seeking a qualified Physical Therapist Assistant to provide therapy services in inpatient and outpatient settings. Responsibilities include maintaining treatment records and communicating patient progress. Candidates must hold a relevant degree and a state license. Preference is given to qualified members of the Navajo Nation. This role offers competitive hourly wages and an opportunity to make a significant impact on community health services.

Qualifications

• Valid and unrestricted Physical Therapist Assistant State License.
• No further experience required outside of training.
• Pass Physical Therapist Assistant board exam.

Responsibilities

• Provide therapy services to inpatient and outpatient patients.
• Maintain accurate treatment records and communicate patient progress.
• Administer treatment established by the Physical Therapist.

Skills

Patient assessment

Independent judgment

Communication skills

Gait training

Foot care education

Education

Associate of Occupational/Applied Science Degree

Tools

Electronic Health Records (EHR)

Job description

Fort Defiance, Indian Rte 7 & Indian Rte 12, PO Box 649, Fort Defiance, AZ 86504, USA

CLOSING DATE: Monday, March 09, 2026 @ 4:00 PM (MST)

HOURLY RANGE: $29.03 - $35.99

***APPLICANT MUST HAVE A VALID UNRESTRICTED INSURABLE DRIVERS LICENSE***

***RESUME AND REFERENCES ARE REQUIRED***

ESSENTIAL DUTIES, FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Follows and carries inpatient and outpatient treatments under the plan of care established by a Physical Therapist.
• Provides therapy services to the Emergency Department and Fast Track Departments.
• Serves as an on-call therapist for Inpatient weekend coverages, Emergency Medicine and Fast Track Services when overflow follow-up therapy is needed while
  the Physical Therapists attend to new evaluations.
• Maintains accurate patient treatment records and completes billing and billing sheet according to department billing procedures within established timeframes.
• Communicates verbal and written progress or lack thereof to the referring therapist and suggest appropriate changes to plans and goals based on patient response to treatment.
• Writes concise, informative, legible progress notes in Electronic Health Records (EHR). Recommends changes in the plan of care and/or treatment based on the progress towards established goals to the Physical Therapist.
• Monitors vital signs, recognizes changes in patient status, and uses independent judgment to discontinue a procedure or therapeutic exercise as indicated. Notifies the therapist and/or physician provider of changes in patient status and responds immediately and appropriately to potentially life-threatening events.
• Neuromusculoskeletal Treatment: Independently administers treatment established by the plan of care and carries out therapeutic programs for patients with a wide variety of neuromusculoskeletal diagnoses that impair function and result in pain.
• Wound Care and Management: Provides independent treatment per plan of care for wounds including whirlpool and / or irrigation, non-surgical debridement, and dressing changes. Follows standard precautions and uses clean technique during all procedures.
• Geriatric / Mature Adults (age 50 and older): Independently administers treatment and provides patient / family education for geriatric wellness / rehabilitation including activities of daily living, gaiting and other mobility issues, balance / coordination activities, cognitive issues, extremity function, life-long fitness /
  quality of life issues.
• Pediatric (Newborn to age 18): Independently carries out plans of care and provides direct treatment and patient / family education on pediatric wellness and rehabilitation including activities of daily living, gaiting and other mobility issues, balance and coordination activities, cognitive issues, and extremity function. Assists
  the therapist with splinting and bracing, seating systems and other adaptive technology, and neurodevelopmental techniques and activities.
• Gait Training: Provides comprehensive gait training including proper use of crutches, canes, walkers, and assistive appliances (braces, artificial limbs, and supports). Assures correct fit of all assistive devices and appliances.
• Foot Care: Fits orthotics to patients and makes adjustments as indicated. Provides patient / family education about foot care, orthoses care, and selection of appropriate protective, supportive shoes. (depending on Practice Act per license).
• Instructs and trains patients and their families to carry out home programs of exercise and activities of daily living based on patient and / or family needs and the
  home environment.
• Provides pre-operative instructions according to established protocols.
• Provides instructions for established health promotion/disease prevention programs including diabetic foot care & shoe selection guidelines.
• Performs team planning, health promotion/disease prevention activities, and community education.
• May assist in training and overseeing therapy aides in the treatment of clients.
• Completes and maintains current (with appropriate signature verification) a competency checklist for all physical therapy modalities and treatments.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS

Experience:

• No additional experience required outside of a completed training program as defined in the education qualifications listed below.

Education:

• Associate of Occupational/Applied Science Degree from a Physical Therapist Assistant School accredited by Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
• Successfully pass the Physical Therapist Assistant board exam administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.

Licensure:

• Valid and unrestricted Physical Therapist Assistant State License.

FDIHB, Inc. is located within the Navajo Nation and, in accordance with Navajo Nation law, has implemented a Navajo/Indian Preference in Employment Policy. Pursuant to this Policy, applicants who meet the minimum qualifications for this position and who are enrolled members of the Navajo Nation will be given primary preference in hiring and employment for this position and members of other federally-recognized Indian tribes will be given secondary preference. Other candidates will be considered only after all candidates entitled to primary or secondary preference have been fully considered.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.