Physical Therapist Assistant

Physical Therapist Assistant

The Physical Therapist Assistant carries out physical therapy programs for participants and assists in planning/revising program services and provides education to participants, caregivers and staff in accordance with physician orders and within InnovAge policies and all applicable regulations. Physical attendance at an InnovAge facility and/or an InnovAge participant home is essential to performing the job duties.

Responsibilities include:

• Providing physician prescribed physical therapy treatment in the areas of modality, therapeutic and functional mobility and other services in the participant care plan (PCP) under the supervision of, and in collaboration with the physical therapist.
• Providing personalized training as needed with participants and caregivers.
• Immediately reporting to supervising Physical Therapist any patient incidents/variances or complaints.
• Consulting with PT to determine whether treatment plan should be continued, changed or terminated.
• Participating in educating the patient and family.
• Participating in in-service programs and presenting in-service programs as assigned.
• Participating with all other health care personnel in patient care planning.
• Continually evaluating needs of participants and family and consulting with PT regarding change in treatment.
• Instructing patients and family members in home programs and activities of daily living.
• Attending all staff meetings and patient care conferences as scheduled.
• Preparing medical records, progress notes and updates care plans for each patient visit in a timely manner as per policy.
• Informing the PT and other team members of changes in the patient's condition and needs.
• Participating in meetings and care conferences as assigned by the physical therapist.
• Instruction to patient/family in home program with documentation in medical record notes.
• Completing and submitting progress notes and paperwork in a timely manner per Agency policy.
• Reporting all incomplete work assignments to supervising Physical Therapist.
• Assisting the physical therapist in planning and revising programs for participants and program as a whole.
• Gathering physical history of participants in regards to their existing skills and the equipment currently used and notifying the physical therapist of any changes made.
• Educating participants and caregivers in approved techniques and approaches to facilitate safe functioning and to implement home rehab recommendations, under the supervision of the physical therapist.
• Communicating in an organized and understandable manner to family members and caregivers and ensuring recommendations are feasible.
• Inputting daily treatment sessions and DME provided into the Pace Keeper tracking system for each participant. Delegates task during time constraints or when unavailable due to other tasks.
• Performing medical charting which includes participant educational sessions in participant charts, ensure company documentation requirements are met.
• Educating Day Center aides approved techniques to maximize participant safety and functioning at the ADHC.
• Recommending equipment and supply purchases appropriate for participants and rehab operations.
• Ordering DME according to IGCP procedures with approval from the supervising Physical Therapist.
• Performing basic maintenance of Durable Medical Equipment (DME) and department equipment.
• Identifying defective DME and taking appropriate action to repair or replace it promptly.
• Documenting appropriate records for DME regarding loans, returns, repairs and purchases per department policies, on a timely basis.
• Informing Physical Therapist within 24 hours of any urgent status changes whether medical or functional that occur in active rehab participants, and documenting changes in progress notes.
• Arranging DME provisions and fitting for participant(s).
• Ensuring that participant and caregiver(s) understand the Durable Medical Equipment (DME) loan program and policies and obtaining signature on loan agreements.
• Instructing participants and caregivers in the use and maintenance of equipment provided, and documenting procedures and DME in medical chart.
• Guiding and directing rehab aides in carrying out rehab program services and activities in the areas of positioning, mobility and safety and home exercise program supervision. Discusses the Plan of Care (POC) with physical therapist and communicates issues with the interdisciplinary team (IDT) to integrate services into the overall POC for participant
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Required:

• Graduation from a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree program
• Passing the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for PTAs administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT)
• Valid and unrestricted Physical Therapist Assistant license in the state where services are provided.
• Requires state issued driver's license, personal transportation, good driving record and auto insurance as required by law.
• A minimum of one year experience working with the frail or elderly is required.
• Experience with and understanding of, the state practice act as it applies to the role of Physical Therapist Assistant in a health care setting.

Preferred:

• 2+ years practicing as PTA