Physical Therapy Assistant - Per Diem

Tucson Medical Center; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Tucson Medical Center in Arizona seeks a Physical Therapy Assistant responsible for delivering prescribed therapy treatments and documenting patient progress. This role requires an associate's degree and certification as a PT Assistant, along with Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification. The ideal candidate will support physical therapy programs, monitor patient conditions, and assist in training of staff.

This position offers the opportunity to work in a supportive healthcare environment aiding individuals in restoring their functional capabilities.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or equivalent from a two-year college, or technical school required.
• Certification as a PT Assistant required.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification required.

Responsibilities

• Administers physical therapy care as directed by a licensed therapist.
• Monitors patient condition levels and documents care in the electronic record.
• Assists in training medical personnel in therapy techniques.

Skills

Physical therapy programs knowledge

Demonstration and leadership skills in therapy

Direction following and reporting skills

Communication skills

Education

Associate’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Electronic medical record systems

Therapeutic devices

Job description

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. Pediatric Therapy: None required. One (1) – two (2) years of pediatric experience preferred. Will consider exceptional new graduate candidates.
• License 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.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to complete routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to listen and accurately interpret others’ communication, or instruction to take appropriate actions.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers, employees, or organizations.
• Ability to add and subtract 2-digit numbers; ability to read a clock and accurately document time.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed, but uninvolved electronic or oral instructions.
• Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in a standardized situation.