Physical Therapist Assistant

St. Luke’s University Health Network; Bethlehem (Northampton County); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equal Opportunity Employer

Job summary

St. Luke's University Health Network in Bethlehem, PA seeks a certified Physical Therapist Assistant to provide coordinated therapy under supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist. You will implement treatment plans and support patient mobility.

Two years experience preferred; must meet education requirements; strong teamwork, infection control, and documentation. The network emphasizes excellence and compassionate care.

Qualifications

• Must be a Certified Physical Therapist Assistant with an associate degree in physical therapy.
• 1–2 years of PTA experience preferred.
• St. Luke's University Health Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Responsibilities

• Administers the physical therapy treatment plan as developed by the LPT.
• Facilitates ROM, strength, coordination, use of assistive equipment, functional mobility and safety as related to patients’ ADL performance needs under the supervision of the LPT.
• Communicates with Therapy Supervisor, Patient Care Manager, and appropriate staff to plan total patient and family care.
• Confers with OT, nursing staff, SLP, MSW and HHA’s in planning rehabilitation for the patient.
• Observes, records and reports patient’s response to treatment and changes in patient’s condition to physician and/or clinical supervisor.
• Documentation is timely, accurate, legible and in compliance with agency policy.
• Documents effectiveness and outcomes of care and revises as needed.
• Plans for discharge as appropriate with the LPT.
• Instructs other health team personnel in areas of physical therapy related to activities of daily living.
• Applies infection control concepts to prevent contamination and transmission of disease.
• Accepts clinical assignments consistent with education and competence.
• Meets mandatory continuing education requirements.

Education

Associate Degree in Physical Therapy

Job description

St. Luke's is proud of the skills, experience and compassion of its employees. The employees of St. Luke's are our most valuable asset! Individually and together, our employees are dedicated to satisfying the mission of our organization which is an unwavering commitment to excellence as we care for the sick and injured; educate physicians, nurses and other health care providers; and improve access to care in the communities we serve, regardless of a patient's ability to pay for health care. Certificate of Authority for Indirect Supervision from Pennsylvania State Board of Physical Therapy required. This position functions as a member of the professional staff, providing coordinated physical therapy to patients of all age groups under the supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Administers the physical therapy treatment plan as developed by the LPT.
• Facilitates the patient’s ROM, strength, coordination, use of assistive equipment, functional mobility and safety as related to patients’ ADL performance needs under the supervision of the LPT.
• Communicates with the Therapy Supervisor, Patient Care Manager, and appropriate staff in order to plan total patient and family care.
• Confers with OT, nursing staff, SLP, MSW and HHA’s in planning rehabilitation for the patient.
• Observes, records and reports patient’s response to treatment and any changes in patient’s condition to physician and/or clinical supervisor.
• Documentation is timely, accurate, legible and in compliance with the agency policy and directives.
• Documents the effectiveness and outcomes of care on an ongoing basis and makes revisions as needed.
• Plans for discharge as appropriate in conjunction with the LPT.
• Instructs other health team personnel, when appropriate, in certain areas of physical therapy, including activities of daily living, in which they may work with the patients.
• This includes the patient and family members.
• Applies concepts of infection control and universal precautions in coordinating/performing patient care activities to prevent contamination and transmission of disease.
• Accepts clinical assignments that are consistent with education and competence to care for patients.
• Meets mandatory continuing education requirements.
• Provides orientation to new orientees related to scope of practice.

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to sit for up to ninety minutes at a time.
• Be able to tolerate standing for thirty to forty-five minutes consecutively.
• Must be able to use hands/fingers to manipulate dials on machines.
• Must have the ability to lift/move patients up to 300 lbs., push/pull patients weighing up to 300 lbs.
• Must have the ability to frequently stoop/bend, squat, crouch, kneel and reach above shoulder level.
• Must be capable of tactile sensation as it relates to feeling for muscle spasms, texture and skin temperature.
• Must have the ability to hear as it relates to normal conversation and ability to hear call bells.
• Must be capable of seeing as it relates to general vision, depth perception, and peripheral vision.

EDUCATION:

A Certified Physical Therapist Assistant is a graduate of an accredited school of physical therapy with an Associate Degree in Physical Therapy.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

One to two years of experience as a Physical Therapist Assistant, preferred.

St. Luke's University Health Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Founded in 1872, St. Luke’s University Health Network (SLUHN) is a fully integrated, regional, non-profit network of more than 23,000 employees providing services at 16 campuses and 350+ outpatient sites. With annual net revenue in excess of $4 billion, the Network’s service area includes 11 counties in two states: Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Montgomery, Monroe, Schuylkill and Luzerne counties in Pennsylvania and Warren and Hunterdon counties in New Jersey. St. Luke’s hospitals operate the largest network of trauma centers in Pennsylvania, with the Bethlehem Campus being home to St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital. SLUHN is the only Lehigh Valley-based health care system to earn Medicare’s five-star ratings (the highest) for quality, efficiency and patient satisfaction. It is both a Leapfrog Group and Healthgrades Top Hospital and a Newsweek World’s Best Hospital. The Network’s flagship University Hospital has earned the 100 Top Major Teaching Hospital designation from Premier 13 times total and eleven years in a row, including in 2023 when it was identified as THE #4 TEACHING HOSPITAL IN THE COUNTRY. In 2021, St. Luke’s was identified as one of the 15 Top Health Systems nationally. St. Luke’s is the ONLY health care institution in the Lehigh Valley to be named a Top Workplace regionally repeating the exclusive honor for the third year in a row. Also, for the third straight year, St. Luke’s has been a Top Workplaces in the Philadelphia Region by the Philadelphia Inquirer, ranking 9th in the large employer category for 2025 and the only health care system in PA to receive this award. In 2025, St. Luke’s was recognized as a national Top Workplaces by USA Today, three years in a row, including the 3rd best health care system in the nation in 2023 and 2024. Lastly, in 2025, St. Luke’s was named a Top Workplace in New Jersey for the third year in a row. Learn More Here.