Physical Therapist Assistant

Job purpose

The Physical Therapy Assistant will be responsible for providing treatment to Physical Therapy patients per the Plan of Care initiated by the supervising Physical Therapist. The PTA is to complete documentation regarding patient treatments, changes in condition and other pertinent information as required.

Guaranteed 15 hours/week, plus PRN hours up to 40 hrs as coverage therapist this summer to cover a leave of absence for 12 weeks.

Duties and responsibilities

1. Administer treatment programs as established by Physical Therapists per POC
2. Focus on providing the highest quality treatment for patients that allows for excellent patient outcomes.
3. Assess patient condition using knowledge of basic anatomy and medical science
4. Propose treatment goals and objectives.
5. Perform certain aspects of patient evaluation and interventions providing recommendations for future treatment to the supervising PT
6. Instruct patients on physical therapy interventions, modalities and home exercise programs.
7. Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Preferred two years of experience; orthopedic preferred.
• Must be able to listen attentively to what patients tell say and must be able to explain what responsibilities the patients have in treatment.
• Must have a desire to help people and improve the daily lives of others.
• Flexibility when treating patients. Therapist may need to be creative when determining the treatment plans and adaptive devices that best suit each patient’s needs.
• Ability to spend time teaching and explaining treatment to patients and should be able to earn the trust and respect of their patients.
• Must be patient in order to provide quality care to the people they serve.
• Must have strong communication/writing ability to explain clearly the treatment results for and any progress made by the patient.
• Strong organizational skills in time managements, multi-tasking and prioritization.
• Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Have good knowledge of computer skills to work efficiently in an EMR system

Education/Licensing/Certifications

• Associates’ degree in Physical Therapy Assistant
• Current license as a Physical Therapy Assistant in state of Michigan

Working conditions

Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations. Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Physical requirements

Must be able to walk, climb, bend, push, pull and squat as well as be able to lift items weighing up to 40# pounds.

Direct reports

N/A