PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT

Fort Defiance Indian Hospital Board, Inc.; Fort Defiance (AZ); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Fort Defiance Indian Hospital Board, Inc. seeks a Physical Therapist Assistant to deliver therapy in inpatient and outpatient settings under a PT plan of care.

The role supports Emergency and Fast Track services, participates in on-call coverage, and ensures accurate documentation in the EHR system. The incumbent will monitor patient status, adjust treatment plans as needed, and provide home-exercise instruction across geriatric and pediatric populations.

Qualifications

• Associate degree from CAPTE-accredited PTA program.
• Must pass Physical Therapist Assistant board exam.
• Valid and unrestricted PTA license.

Responsibilities

• Assist in inpatient and outpatient treatments under the plan of care established by a Physical Therapist.
• Provide therapy services in Emergency Department and Fast Track.
• Serve as on-call therapist for weekend coverage and overflow follow-up.
• Maintain patient records and complete billing documentation timely.
• Communicate progress to referring therapist and adjust plans as needed.
• Document concisely in EHR and note changes to the plan of care.
• Monitor vitals and respond to life-threatening changes.
• Administer neuromusculoskeletal treatments per plan.
• Perform wound care per protocol and maintain aseptic technique.
• Provide geriatric and pediatric wellness education and rehab guidance.
• Instruct patients and families on home exercise programs.
• Provide pre-operative instructions and health promotion guidance.
• May assist in training therapy aides and complete competency checklists.

Education

Associate of Occupational/Applied Science - PTA

PTA board exam pass

Job description

• APPLICANT MUST HAVE A VALID UNRESTRICTED INSURABLE DRIVERS LICENSE***
• RESUME AND REFERENCES ARE REQUIRED***

Job Details

CLOSING DATE: Open Until Filled (OUF)

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

• 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.

Please email degree or transcripts to: [e-mail]

NAVAJO/INDIAN PREFERENCE

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.