Therapy Aide

Humboldt-Senior-Resource-Center-1; Eureka (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Redwood Coast PACE with Humboldt Senior Resource Center seeks a full-time Therapy Aide to support therapists and assist elderly participants with prescribed exercises. You will help prepare treatment areas, monitor participants, and ensure a safe, clean gym environment while coordinating with the interdisciplinary team.

Responsibilities include assisting with day-to-day therapy operations, ensuring proper body mechanics, and maintaining participant records.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; degree in kinesiology/exercise science preferred.
• Experience with frail or elderly population preferred.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification preferred within 6 months.

Responsibilities

• Support Physical and Occupational Therapists in treatment plans.
• Assist participants with prescribed exercises and therapy activities.
• Prepare treatment area and equipment under supervision.
• Assist with transitions from Day Center to the exercise gym.
• Monitor vital signs before/after exercise as needed.
• Maintain clean, organized therapy gym; stock supplies.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Team collaboration

Body mechanics

Therapy support

Computer skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Kinesiology / Exercise science degree preferred

Tools

CPR and First Aid certified

Therapy equipment familiarity

Job description

Redwood Coast PACE with Humboldt Senior Resource Center is looking for a full-time Therapy Aide to provide care for our participants. Redwood Coast PACE — a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly — is a comprehensive health plan for older adults who wish to remain living in their home and community. We provide medical, social, nutritional, rehabilitation, and support services for eligible adults. At Redwood Coast PACE, the goal is to help people stay as healthy and independent as possible. Because their health is monitored on a regular basis, many PACE participants report fewer health crises and better overall health.The schedule for this position is Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm.JOB SUMMARY: Performs support and routine tasks related to day-to-day operations of therapy-related services and the exercise gym. Guides participants to complete assigned maintenance programs according to departmental, para-professional, and regulatory standards of care.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESONSIBILITIES:Supports Physical and Occupational Therapists in implementation and completion of individual and group treatments as outlined within participant Plans of Care.Assists Physical and Occupational Therapists in treating participants by helping participants perform prescribed exercises.Supports physical and occupational therapy care by preparing the treatment area, equipment, and materials under the supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapy assistant.Prepares participants for therapy treatments by welcoming, comforting, providing, and assisting them with transition from the Day Center to the exercise gym.Assists participants attending the Day Center with using equipment in the exercise gym to complete therapy maintenance programs as outlined in participant Plans of Care.Ensures that participants practice proper body mechanics during therapy and while using exercise and gym equipment. Ensures participants operate exercise and gym equipment correctly.Routinely monitors vital signs such as blood pressure and pulse before and after exercise, as necessary.Operates, administers, and removes therapeutic paraffin wax, heating pads, ice packs and TENS unit, as appropriate.Stages the exercise gym as directed by members of the Interdisciplinary Team and maintains a clean and sanitary environment in the exercise gym at all times.Provides equipment and supplies to other areas of the facility upon request. Sterilizes and delivers equipment and supplies to various therapy areas where therapy may be staged.Helps to relocate participants to other areas of the facility and prepares participants for departure when leaving the Day Center.Immediately reports any observed changes in participant behavior, health, or mobility to the nursing team and other members of the Interdisciplinary Team as needed.Complies with safety policies and procedures, identifying and immediately reporting any potential or actual unsafe acts or conditions per the policies and procedures.Takes necessary measures to ensure a safety environment for oneself, co-workers, contractors, participants, visitors and others.Monitors personal safety and attends to good body mechanics. Ensures infection and exposure control and is prepared in case of emergency.Communicates effectively with participants, family members, caregivers, employees, and visitors regarding therapy related services.Maintains accurate, timely, and complete participant records charting daily participant attendance, encounters, and charge tickets, as well as completing documentation in medical tracking platforms.Continually seeks better ways for delivering services and communicating with participants.Effectively collaborates with co-workers and contractors to meet PACE goals and further success of the program.Assists Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Physical Therapy Assistants with scheduling and other administrative tasks as needed.Complies with all policy and procedures of PACE.Maintains applicable Durable Medical Equipment (DME) including cleaning, minor wheelchair and walker repairs and adjustments, equipment safety checks, etc.Collaborates with outside vendors and Physical and Occupational Therapists in ordering and tracking durable medical equipment.Maintains physical therapy supply inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level, placing orders for supplies, and verifying receipt of supplies.Acts in a manner consistent with agency values.Other duties as assignedEDUCATION &/or EXPERIENCE:High school diploma or GED equivalent required.Candidates with a degree in kinesiology, exercise science, or other therapy-related discipline preferred.One (1) year of experience working with a frail or elderly population, providing personal care in a health facility or in-home setting, preferred.LICENSES OR CERTIFICATES:Current CPR and First Aid certification within six (6) months of hire.Certified Nursing Assistant or Certified Home Health Aide preferred.Valid California Driver’s License and personal auto liability insurance preferred. Personal vehicle in good driving/operating condition, insured for State minimum liability requirements that can be used for the applicable job functions noted above preferred.PRE-SCREENING REQUIREMENTS:Requires clearance of a DOJ and FBI criminal history background checkPre-employment physical and PPD skin testMotor Vehicle Report verification to determine eligible driving recordCOVID-19 and Influenza (flu) vaccines preferred.JOB SKILLS:Demonstrates respect for and promotes participant rights, including dignity, self-determination, and access to care, confidentiality, and independence.Knowledge of therapy-related work principles and practices, including body mechanics, exercise safety, and therapy treatments. Familiar with and ability to use relevant medical and therapy terminology.Demonstrates proficiency in application of therapeutic activity modalities including exercises in the Day Center.Demonstrates proficiency in delivering age-specific care.Excellent interpersonal skills that result in maintaining a positive attitude, team-building, and contribution to effective work relationships. Exhibits patience and compassion.Sound verbal and written communication skills to convey information effectively. Ability to communicate effectively and openly with other team members on the status and needs of participants.Ability to use good judgment, resourcefulness, flexibility, and problem-solving skills.Ability to prioritize and complete duties within an agreed upon time frame, adjust personal schedule as required, and adapt appropriately to changes in priorities and workload.Ability to understand detailed requirements in working activities.Ability to incorporate an understanding of detailed requirements in work activities. Ability to collect and analyze data.Ability to organize and maintain medical supplies and therapy gym inventory.Ability to maintain a consistent level of productivity.Strong basic computer skills (Microsoft Outlook, Word, Power Point, and Excel). Ability to navigate, use, and maintain database software programs.PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:Physical abilities sufficient to move between different staff work areas, communicate with co-workers and the public, operate a computer, produce reports, talk on the telephone, and travel to other agency worksites.Ability to spend sufficient work time on feet, lifting and moving participants while using proper body mechanics and lifting techniques when assisting participants.The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of work performed. They are not to be considered an exhaustive list of all job tasks performed. The agency reserves the right to change job descriptions, work hours or work sites as required by the program.The Humboldt Senior Resource Center is a private, non-profit, multi-purpose senior center providing a continuum of social and health related services. The agency currently holds contracts with the California Department of Aging and Area 1 Agency on Aging.The Humboldt Senior Resource Center is an equal opportunity employer. We will not unlawfully discriminate against qualified applicants or employees with respect to any terms or conditions of employment based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, breastfeeding, gender identity, marital status, citizenship status, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other basis protected by applicable Federal or State law.