Job Description: Physical Therapist Assistant

Employee Name: ______________________________ Hire Date: ________________________

Reports to:  Director of Rehab Department: Clinical 

Job Summary:

The Physical Therapist Assistant will help Physical Therapists provide physical therapy treatments and procedures. The Physical Therapist Assistant may, in accordance with state laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. 

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Instructs, motivates, safeguards, and assists patients as they practice exercises or functional activities. Observes patients during treatments to compile and evaluate data on their responses and progress and provides results to the physical therapist in person or through progress notes.

• Confers with physical therapy staff and others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, and coordinating treatment. Communicates with and instructs caregivers and family members on patient therapeutic activities and treatment plans.

• Transports patients to and from treatment areas, lifting and transferring them according to positioning requirements. Secures patients into or onto therapy equipment.

• Administers active and passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, aquatic physical therapy, and heat, light, sound, and electrical modality treatments such as ultrasound.

• Measures patients’ range-of-joint motion, body parts, and vital signs to determine effects of treatments or for patient evaluations.

• Monitors operation of equipment and records use of equipment and administration of treatment.

• Fits patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, and supportive devices such as crutches.

Required Skills/Abilities: 

• Excellent customer service and patient care skills.

• Basic understanding of physical therapy and medical terminology.

Education and Experience:

• Associate’s degree or certification from a physical therapy program that included course study in anatomy and physiology, and clinical experience.

Physical Requirements: 

• Prolonged periods of standing and walking.

• Requires lifting, positioning, pushing, and/or transferring patients.

• Frequent reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, and crouching.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position.  However, this in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from this position.

I have read this job descriptions and fully understand the requirements.  I understand that proprietary information remains the property of the company and confidential information must remain within the confines of the company during and after employment.  I hereby accept the position of Physical Therapist Assistant and agree to perform this position in a safe manner and in accordance with the facility’s established procedures.  I understand that as a result of my employment, I may be exposed to blood, body fluids, burns , infectious diseases, air contaminants (including tobacco smoke), hazardous chemicals , and to the Hepatitis B Virus, and that will be responsible for following company policies and procedures when in contact with any of the situations described above.

I understand that my employment is at will.  My employment is for no definite or determinable period and may be terminated at any time with or without prior notice at the option of either myself or the company.   No promises or representations contrary to the foregoing are binding on the company unless made in writing and signed by me and the company’s president.

Employee’s Signature ______________________________

Date:  ____________________________________________

Supervisor’s Signature : ____________________________

Date: ____________________________________________