Join our wonderful team in our fast growing Rehab Department! Part-time Physical Therapy Assistant needed to work in conjunction with physicians, nurses, physical therapists, speech therapy, occupational therapy and other health care team members. Monday - Friday, 8 hour days. Full-time benefits available if working minimum of 30 hours per week and include: IPERS, Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance and Long Term Disability.

Education: Completion of an accredited Physical Therapist Assistant program.

Licensure: Physical therapy assistant licensure in Iowa or eligible for licensure in Iowa

Position Title: Staff Physical Therapist Assistant

Department: Rehabilitation Services

JOB RELATIONSHIPS:

Responsible to: Director of Rehab Services

Supervising Therapists

Supervises: Rehabilitation Aides

Physical Therapy Students

Volunteers

Interrelationships: Works in conjunction with physicians, nurses, physical therapists, speech therapy, occupational therapy and other health care team members.

JOB OVERVIEW:

Responsible for the administering of physical therapy treatments and modalities under the direction of the supervising therapist after the therapist has evaluated the patient. Administers treatments in an effort to restore function and prevent disability following injury, disease, or physical disability. Assists patients of all ages to reach their maximum performance and level of functioning, while learning to live within the limits of their capabilities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Provides quality care by assisting the therapist in carrying out the physical therapy treatment plans
• Helps meet the patient's goals and needs by administering appropriate exercises including stretching, strengthening, gait training, transfer training, balance tasks, and instruction in appropriate assistive devices such as walkers, canes, and crutches as outlined in the therapist’s plan of care.
• Safely administers appropriate manual techniques and modalities including ultrasound, electrical stimulation, mechanical traction, iontophoresis, and infrared light therapy.
• Supervises patient care and other appropriate tasks of physical therapy aides, and other hospital staff.
• Evaluates effects of physical therapy treatments by observing, noting, and evaluating patient's progress and communicating these to supervising therapist as appropriate.
• Assists with discharge planning by consulting with supervising therapist, physicians, nurses, social workers, and other health care workers.
• Assures continuation of therapeutic plan following discharge by instructing patients, families, and caregivers in home exercise programs; recommending and/or providing assistive equipment; recommending outpatient or home health follow-up programs.
• Documents patient care services in an accurate and timely manner by charting in patient and department records.
• Maintains patient confidence and protects hospital operations by keeping information confidential.
• Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols.
• Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; following manufacturer's instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions; calling for repairs.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.
• Complies with federal, state, and local legal and professional requirements by studying existing and new legislation; anticipating future legislation; enforcing adherence to requirements; advising management on needed actions.
• Completes other tasks and attends meetings as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education: Completion of an accredited Physical Therapist Assistant program.

Licensure: Physical therapy assistant licensure in Iowa or eligible for licensure in Iowa

Valid driver’s license

CPR certification for Health Care Providers (or equivalent)

Experience: One year as a Physical Therapy Assistant or comparable internship

Skills/Abilities:

• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Basic knowledge of computer concepts
• Ability to meet time frames for work completion
• Effective skills for teamwork/team facilitation
• Ability to evaluate critically and think creatively
• Able to read and understand a variety of patient related documentation

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: (includes but not limited to):

• Hearing: Adequate to perform job duties in person and over the telephone.
• Speaking: Must be able to communicate clearly to patients in person and over the telephone.
• Vision: Visual acuity adequate to perform job duties, including visual examination of patient and reading information from printed sources and computer screens.
• Other: Requires frequent lifting and carrying items weighing up to 30 pounds unassisted, including assisting patients when required.
• Adequate physical ability including sufficient manual dexterity to perform the requisite health care services.
• Requires frequent bending, reaching, repetitive hand movements, standing, walking, squatting and sitting, with some heavy lifting, pushing and pulling exerted regularly throughout a regular work shift.
• Exerting up to 50 to 75 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10-25 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds constantly
• Transferring patients to and from various surfaces and equipment.
• Pushing patients in wheelchairs, gurneys, relaxer chairs and athletic equipment.
• Lifting and carrying of patient care equipment and handling of patient care supplies and equipment
• Keyboarding and use of computer mouse and photocopying.
• Touching and palpating patients/athletes
• Listening to patients, school personnel, parents and other members of the health care team.
• Driving to and from assignments.

MENTAL DEMANDS: (varies from rotation to rotation)

• Heavy concentration nearly constant and involves pre-planning and a high degree of organization

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Moderate temperature and humidity, vapors and fumes occasionally
• Frequent handling of medical equipment
• Frequent patient contact with potential for frequent exposure to communicable diseases, bodily fluids, medicinal preparations and other conditions common to a clinic environment.
• Frequent computer use

EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES USED

• Electronic and mechanical patient care equipment, office equipment

PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

• Nitrile gloves, gait belt, gowns, mask when necessary