Physical Therapy Asst.

Lynn County Healthcare System; Tahoka (TX); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Lynn County Healthcare System is seeking a Physical Therapist Assistant to provide quality care to patients of all ages. This role involves collaboration with physical and occupational therapists, as well as supervising students and techs. Candidates must be graduates of an accredited physical therapy assistant program and possess a current Texas license. The position requires strong knowledge of patient care practices, documentation, and compliance with health regulations. Opportunities for continuing education are included.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited physical therapy assistant school and hold a current, valid Texas license or be eligible for such.
• Able to document treatment accurately and in compliance with medical/legal standards.
• Perform CPR, walk and balance to assist patients with walking.

Responsibilities

• Provide quality and efficient patient care to all ages.
• Collaborate with other therapists when appropriate.
• Supervise PTA students and techs as needed.

Skills

Knowledge of proper use of modalities and other equipment

Computer skills including electronic documentation

Previous experience preferred

Education

Graduate of an accredited physical therapy assistant school

Current, valid Texas license

Job description

Position

Physical Therapist Assistant (Non-exempt, FLSA)

Supervisor: Therapy Manager / Director of Rehab

Position Summary

The Physical Therapist Assistant is a qualified, licensed professional who provides quality and efficient patient care to all ages of population in a variety of healthcare settings. The PTA collaborates with physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists when appropriate and supervises PTA students and techs as needed.

Essential Functions

• Patient Care
• Lift minimum of 50 pounds
• Documentation and Report Writing
• In-service for staff, companies, and patients
• Cleaning as needed

Marginal Functions

• Ordering of equipment
• Training of new PTA or tech staff

Education / Experience

Graduate of an accredited physical therapy assistant school and hold a current, valid Texas license or be eligible for such (in the case of a new graduate).

Confidential Data

• Full and complete access to patient records and financial information
• Conforms to all regulations and policies including HIPAA

Orientation

• Orientation time frame up to three months
• To be oriented by other physical therapists, PTAs, and DOR

Patient Care

• Gather information using verbal, auditory, sensory, visual, olfactory, and tactile sources.
• Provide treatment in a safe manner using safe patient care techniques.
• Receive and interpret vital information from patients—movement, posture, body mechanics, skin conditions, changes in appearance, gait—compare to normal standard, and communicate findings to supervising physical therapist.
• Receive and interpret aural information from patients—discomfort, pain, or emergent conditions.
• Read and interpret patient charts, professional literature, notes from patients, family members, physicians, and other health care providers.
• Administer individualized treatment programs that meet patient needs and coordinate re-evaluation of the program with supervising physical therapist.
• Instruct patients in a home exercise program when professionally deemed necessary.
• Make physical contact with patients in a non-threatening way.
• Use knowledge of modalities as needed.
• Learn about and use equipment introduced into the clinic.
• Maintain a minimal waiting time of less than 15-minute wait from appointment time.
• Communicate with patient at each visit to answer questions, concerns, and review program and explain new program additions.
• Supervise and critique patients during their exercise program.
• Report equipment malfunction and perform repairs as able.
• Conform to HIPAA regulations regarding patient/client information.
• Complete full CCU’s and turn in for approval within allotted time frame.
• Maintain an active Physical Therapist Assistant license at all times.

Report Writing – Documentation

• Able to document treatment, daily notes, and any other necessary documents accurately and in compliance with medical/ legal standards or laws.
• Other reports completed as required.
• Write/type daily notes in patient charts within 24 hours of seeing patient.

In-service for Staff, Companies, Patients / Continuing Education

• Attend all in-services as required for staff.
• Provide educational training and in-service training as needed.
• Attend approved continuing education classes as required, possibly followed by in-service to staff.

Cleaning

• Will clean mats and gym area as needed.
• Will change pillowcases as needed.
• Will fold linens as needed.
• Will perform assigned cleaning duties.

Requirements – Skills / Specialization

• Knowledge of proper use of modalities and other equipment.
• Computer skills including electronic documentation.
• Previous experience preferred.

Directs Work of Others / Number of Employees for Work / Supervised

• 1 PTA to provide therapy to a patient at a time, with assistance from technicians/PTAs as available.
• Assist with supervision of PT students, PTAs, PT techs, and volunteers.

Measurements (not all inclusive)

• Boxes to shelves – weighing up to 18 pounds empty, for stacking.
• Weights to load boxes – 5–10 pound weights.
• Sacks of material – 20–50 pounds.
• Reaching overhead, to the floor, horizontally.
• Patients.

OSHA Category

• Risk category 1 – High Risk.

Number of Employees Supervised

• Helps orient, train, supervise PTAs, technicians, volunteers, students.

Physical Requirements

• Perform CPR, walk and balance to assist patients with walking and transferring without injury to self or patient.
• Manual dexterity to safely operate and adjust buttons and dials on therapeutic modalities.
• Measure vital signs.
• Use proper body mechanics to sit, stand, walk, lift, carry, push, pull and transport patients on various surfaces.
• Position hands to apply mobilization techniques, palpate body surfaces and tissue safely and effectively.

Activity Frequency

• Standing - Frequent
• Walking - Frequent
• Reaching overhead, to the floor, horizontally - Frequent
• Squatting - Occasional
• Sitting - Occasional to Frequent
• Seeing - Continuously
• Hearing - Continuously
• Speaking - Frequent
• Writing - Frequent
• Pushing - Occasional
• Pulling - Occasional
• Lifting at least 50 # - Frequently
• Driving - Occasional
• Gripping - Frequent
• Pinching - Occasional

Psychological Considerations

• Ability to take initiative.
• Communicate with doctors, patient’s family members, and fellow employees and employers respectfully and professionally.
• Work under stressful conditions and deadlines.
• Willingness to do other tasks and duties as assigned.
• Conduct oneself professionally inside and outside the clinic.
• Access to all patient information due to cross‑training and must conform to HIPAA regulations.

Cognitive / Motor

• Read and write.
• Use computer and type.
• Communicate clearly with patients, colleagues, physicians, other professionals, community, or groups in all manners: orally, in writing, via computer, telephone, or aurally.
• Problem solve.
• Understand new techniques of treatment.

Physiological Considerations

• May be exposed to hazardous chemicals, fumes, dust, loud noises, or falling objects that could affect respiratory functions, hearing, or cause injury.

Environmental Considerations

• Most work is done indoors.
• May be exposed to blood and body fluids and contagious diseases (high OSHA risk).
• May need to perform emergency care.
• May face unpredictable situations.

Reports to

• Therapy Manager / Director of Rehab.

Background Check

• Criminal background check.
• Drug test.
• Current CPR.
• Current immunizations: TB, MMR, Varicella, Hep B, DP-T.
• Driver’s license check.
• License verification.