Physical Therapist Assistant

POSITION SUMMARY:

Assist physical therapists in providing specially prescribed physical therapy treatments and procedures in accordance with New Mexico Practice Act guidelines.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• May assist in the development of treatment plans, the documentation of treatment progress, and the modification of specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by physical therapist.
• Instruct, motivate, safeguard and assist patients with modalities, rehabilitative activities and exercises in their treatment plan, as prescribed by a physical therapist. Provides quality care to all patients as appropriate for patient pathology.
• Utilize a variety of treatments and techniques to restore, improve and maintain functioning, alleviate pain or prevent physical dysfunction in patients.
• Confers with patients, medical practitioners or other appropriate parties to plan, implement or assess intervention programs.
• Manages active patients to ensure attendance and compliance with treatment plan.
• Document care and other patient information, including history, treatment and consultations, in accordance with HIPPA and NMOA policies.
• Observe patient during treatments to compile and evaluate data on patients responses and progress and report to physical therapist.
• Fit patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses and supportive devices and instruct them on proper use and care.
• Measures patients range of motion, length and girth of body parts, and vital signs to determine effects of specific treatments or to assist physical therapist to compile data for patient evaluations.
• Assist with patient transport.
• Adheres to company policies as described in employment handbook, clinic policies and procedures, regulatory standards and company work rules.
• Ensure patient service and quality standards are met including patient interaction and cleanliness of facilities.
• Attends required meetings and participates in committees as requested.
• Maintains confidentiality of patient account and employee information in accordance with HIPAA guidelines and NMOA policy.
• Participate in plans for continuous quality improvement regarding patient care, staff development and facility advancement.
• Complies with professional, ethical and legal standards.
• Regular and reliable attendance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: N/A

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

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

• Knowledge of PT principles, standards and practices.
• Excellent communication and computer skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, co-workers, patients and vendors.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Effective clinical problem-solving skills.
• Must be detail oriented.
• Must maintain professional demeanor at all times.
• Must be able to prioritize assignments and follow up to ensure task completion.
• Ability to work 7:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. if necessary. Supervisor will determine hours as needed.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Associates Degree from an accredited physical therapist assistant program.

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

New Mexico license and CPR certified.

PHYSCIAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job responsibilities. Activities include holding, carrying, pushing, transferring, and pulling of objects and people, safely. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit for extended periods of time; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, bend, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must be able to safely lift and/or move a minimum of 50 pounds. Repetitive motion of upper body required for extended use of computer. Requires vision correctable to 20/20 and hearing in the normal range for face-to-face and telephone contacts. Works in well-lit, ventilated and climate-controlled clinic environment. Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

SAFETY SENSITIVE This position is a safety-sensitive position. The use of marijuana is prohibited. Impairment by drugs or alcohol is also prohibited.