Overview / Primary Responsibility Provides direct patient care under the supervision and direction of a licensed Physical Therapist, in full compliance with the State Practice Act. Applies acquired training and education to support the Physical Therapist in implementing prescribed treatment plans effectively.
Essential Functions
- Comply with the applicable State Practice Act governing Physical Therapist Assistant practice under licensed Physical Therapist supervision.
- Review and follow the company's Clinical Operations Policies & Procedures Manual annually.
- Complete all required Medicare compliance training per regulations and company policy.
- Complete annual OSHA training and adhere to OSHA standards and relevant government regulations.
- Prepare and clean treatment areas and equipment in accordance with OSHA guidelines.
- Implement skilled treatment interventions as instructed by the supervising licensed Physical Therapist.
- Clearly communicate patient feedback, observations, and activities to the therapist verbally or in writing.
- Document patient progress using standard medical terminology and approved formats.
- Produce timely, legible, and accurate documentation (e.g., daily notes, charge tickets) to meet facility, physician, and payer requirements.
- Foster open, respectful, and professional communication with colleagues, physicians, patients, families, payers, and other stakeholders at all times.
- Attend and actively participate in assigned facility meetings (e.g., utilization review, infection control, disaster preparedness).
- Pursue sufficient continuing education to satisfy state licensure renewal requirements.
- Maintain current CPR certification compliant with state licensure standards.
Additional Responsibilities
- Manage time effectively to achieve facility productivity goals.
- Contribute to and deliver clinical in-services when assigned.
- Stay informed on broader healthcare trends and developments specific to physical therapy practice.
- Take on key operational responsibilities in designated center areas, as mutually agreed with the Center Manager.
- Perform other assigned duties or special projects as needed.
Required Skills & Abilities
- Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.
- Excellent organizational, time management, and planning abilities.
- Active listening, reading comprehension, and analytical skills for interpreting reports, charts, and correspondence.
Physical Requirements:
• The ability to lift patients using biomedical techniques frequently throughout the course of a workday/shift; must be capable of easily lifting fifty (50) pounds of weight alone.
• Ability to walk, bend, stand, and reach constantly during a workday/shift.
• Visual acuity (near and distant) sufficient to maintain accurate records, recognize people, and understand written directions.
• Ability to speak and hear sufficiently to understand and give directions.
• Ability to push wheeled equipment throughout the facility and in the community.
• Fine motor skills are adequate for scheduling and preparing patients, equipment, and supplies for treatment.
• Ability to participate in sustained activities for many hours in duration in accordance with state labor laws.
Required Credentials:
• Graduation from a physical therapist assistant or physical therapist education program accredited by CAPTE or in the case of a graduate of an international physical therapist assistant program or international physical therapist program from a non-CAPTE accredited program seeking licensure, certification, or registration as a physical therapist assistant, a substantially equivalent education