Physical Therapy Assistant Per Diem

Tucson Medical Center; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

TMC HealthCare in Tucson, AZ is seeking a PT Assistant to deliver prescribed therapy under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The role focuses on restoring function, preventing disability, and guiding patients through home programs.

Responsibilities include administering care, assisting the PT, documenting progress, and training patients and families. A two-year degree and PT Assistant certification with BLS are required.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school.
• Certification as a PT Assistant and Basic Life Support (BLS) required.
• 1–2 years of acute therapy experience preferred; exceptional new graduates will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Administers physical therapy care as directed by a licensed PT.
• Recognizes and implements program improvements.
• Assists therapist during testing, evaluations, and complex procedures.
• Monitors patient condition and reports changes as needed.
• Documents patient care in the electronic medical record promptly and accurately.
• Provides instruction for therapeutic procedures to be continued by patient/family.
• Transmits training to other personnel in therapy techniques and objectives.
• Participates in patient care staffing, conferences, and coordination with other areas.

Skills

Therapy techniques

Patient instruction

Documentation

Education

Associate’s degree or equivalent

Job description

TMC HealthCare

TMC HealthCare is Southern Arizona's regional nonprofit hospital system with Tucson Medical Center at its core. Each day staff comes to work to use their skills and expertise to improve the health of the entire community, from birth to the end of life.

Under direct supervision of physical therapist, delivers prescribed physical therapy treatments, services and home instruction to patients to restore function, prevent disability following disease, injury or loss of a body part, and help patients reach maximum functional performance levels. Utilizes physical exercise, massage, heat, and prosthetic and orthopedic devices. Records and reports on patient progress.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Administers physical therapy care, or portions of programs, as directed by a licensed physical therapist.

Recognizes and recommends changes for improvement in program content.

Assists therapist during patient testing, evaluations and complex procedures.

Monitors patient condition levels; reports changes to appropriate individuals.

Documents patient care efficiently, timely and effectively in the electronic medical record.

Provides instruction in therapeutic procedures to be continued by patient and/or family/caregiver.

Conducts or participates in training medical and other personnel in therapy techniques and objectives.

Attends patient care staffing, conferences and other related meetings; coordinates with other service areas to ensure proper patient care.

Demonstrates sensitivity to patient comfort and privacy.

Adheres to TMCH organizational and department-specific safety, confidentiality, values, policies and standards.

Performs related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION: Associate’s degree or equivalent from a two-year college, or technical school required.

EXPERIENCE: Acute Therapy: None required. One (1) – two (2) years of experience preferred. Will consider exceptional new graduate candidates.

LICENSURE OR CERTIFICATION: Certification as a PT Assistant required. Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the types of physical therapy programs used to assist in the restoration of function in a patient, or prevent a disability.
• Skill in the ability to demonstrate, or lead a patient in the performance of a therapy regimen.

Skill in following directions and reporting back any issues, or concerns the patient may be encountering.