Physical Therapist Assistant - Memorial Health

Works with the licensed Physical Therapist in providing rehabilitation services, to patients of all ages, to attain maximum patient outcomes.

Essential Functions and Job Duties

• Under the direction of the Physical Therapist, follows treatment program for patients of all ages.

• Maintains appointment schedules.
• Instructs patients and families in home program.
• Communicates and collaborates with evaluating therapist and others providing service.
• Implements treatment plan or care based on patient specific goals.
• Advances treatment plan of care in collaboration with evaluating Physical Therapist.

• Meets departmental standards and insurance guidelines for documentation of care.

• Daily notes
• Communicates with doctors
• Recertifications
• Billing
• Outcome measures.

• Endeavors to attain patient goals; progresses patient to appropriate level of independence.
• Maintains current professional knowledge.

• Attends all mandatory educational programs.
• Seeks additional education that will enhance patient rehab program.
• Shares knowledge with others in the department.
• Seeks continuing education requirements to meet State and National licensing guidelines.

• Maintains fiscal responsibility of the Department and the Hospital.
• Compliant and accurate implementation of billing process.
• Actively looks for ways to reduce costs.
• Maintains patient/family confidentiality to comply with HIPPA regulations.
• May assist in the supervision of Physical Therapy Assistant students.
• Performs other duties as assigned by Director, Manager, Team Leader, and Evaluating Physical Therapist.
• Serves on committees as requested.
• My provide in-services and community aid.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Good knowledge of the standard practices, equipment and rules relating to word processing, written and oral communications.
• Working knowledge and application of the basic rules of grammar, punctuation, spelling, paragraphing, etc., required for clear oral and written communication.
• Uses logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Understands written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Actively looks for ways to help people.
• Instructing — Teaching others how to do something.
• Ability to communicate with clear and concise written and verbal skills to physicians, consultants, and Rehabilitation team members.
• Ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions.
• Ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules.
• Ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Gives full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Good knowledge of Human anatomy, physiology, and pathology.

Education and/or Other Requirements

Two years degree for approved Physical Therapy Assistant.  Licensed or license pending in the State of Illinois and without previous disciplinary action in Illinois or another State.  Current CPR card.

Environmental Factors

This position is performed within an environment of occasional exposure to environmental variations, above-normal noise-level, and/or unpleasant substances and limited exposure to hazardous or potentially injurious elements or conditions.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to walk, stand, bend and reach.
• The employee will frequently be required to lift, push and pull weight of at least 5 to 50 pounds.

Mental Demands

• Ability to work under stress and adapt to changing conditions.

General Skill Requirements

In addition to the Essential Functions and Qualifications listed above, to perform the job successfully an individual must also possess the following General Skill Requirements.

• Adaptability – Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Accepts criticism and feedback; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; ability to work with frustrating situations; work under pressure and on an irregular schedule such as unscheduled overtime, unanticipated changes in work pace; Works with numerous distractions.
• Attendance and Punctuality – Schedules time off in advance; Begins working on time; Keeps absences within guidelines; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
• Communications – Expresses ideas and thoughts verbally; Expresses ideas and thoughts in written form; Exhibits good listening and comprehension; Keeps others adequately informed; Selects and uses appropriate communication methods.
• Cooperation – Establishes and maintains effective relations; Exhibits tact and consideration; Displays positive outlook and pleasant manner; Offers assistance and support to co-workers; Works cooperatively in group situations; Works actively to resolve conflicts.
• Job Knowledge – Competent in required job skills and knowledge; Exhibits ability to learn and apply new skills; Keeps abreast of current developments; Requires minimal supervision; Displays understanding of how job relates to others; Uses resources effectively.
• Judgment – displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions; ability to work with and maintain confidential information.
• Problem solving – Identifies problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Resolves problems in early stages; Works well in group problem solving situations.
• Quality – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Displays commitment to excellence, and DMH CARES values. Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Quantity – Meets productivity standards; Completes work in timely manner; Strives to increase productivity; Works quickly; Achieves established goals.
• Concentration – Maintains attention to detail over extended period of time; continually aware of variations in changing situations.
• Supervision – ability to perform work independently or with minimal supervision; ability to assign and/or review work; train and/or evaluate other employees.