Job Summary The Physical Therapy Assistant partners with patients and other care providers to provide physical therapy services to maximize patients’ functional abilities and independence. Essential Duties and Responsibilities + Supports and promotes the mission and values of Covenant Health Ministry. + Performs therapeutic procedures under the order of a physician or other accepted healthcare provider following evaluation by the supervising therapist while observing precautions, indications, and contraindications. + Treats patients per department protocols and follows the therapeutic plan of care set by the evaluating therapist ensuring inclusion of functional long- and short-term goals, frequency and duration of services, and therapeutic modalities to be used. + Seeks input from the patient and primary caregivers regarding the therapeutic plan of care. Incorporates this information into treatment sessions. + Provide status reports (written, verbal, and/or electronic) to the evaluating therapist and other members of the healthcare team regarding the status and discharge needs of the patient. + Bring problems, questions, or status changes to the evaluating therapist immediately. + Attends all pertinent team meetings. + Monitors the treatment effect and progresses the treatment program towards the functional goals established in the treatment plan of care. Modifies the treatment plan of care as necessary following consultation with the evaluating therapist. + Documents all therapeutic interactions with the patient per department procedures on a timely basis. Ensures that the documentation is accessible to others on the care team including the patient when appropriate. Uses only department-sanctioned abbreviations. + Recommends and obtains appropriate assistive devices for the patient ensuring that instruction (written, verbal, and/or demonstration) has been given in their use. + Provide appropriate education to the patient or caregiver. Documents the results of teaching. + Understands and complies with Medicare, Medicaid, and other reimbursement regulations. Submits charges per procedure for each patient visit. + Ortho Practice - Will work with surgical patients who have had joint replacements and abide by the standards of care set forth by St. Mary's Hip & Knee Replacement Interdisciplinary Team. Will complete the required amount of education specific to hip and knee replacement as outlined by St. Mary's Hip & Knee Replacement Interdisciplinary Team which follows DNV Hip and Knee Replacement Program requirements. + Maintains clinical skills and competence by attending in services, workshops, and conferences on topics pertinent to Physical Therapy. Provides in servicing to staff following conference attendance. Ensures that conference materials are accessible to staff. + Provides in services regarding clinical knowledge and skills to other departments. + Actively assists with the development of new programs and services in Physical Therapy. + Maintains awareness of professional issues through membership in professional organizations and reading professional publications. Bring pertinent issues to the attention of others on staff. + Attends departmental staff meetings and/or reads minutes of meetings not attended. + Takes responsibility for determining learning needs and seeks out opportunities for such. + Participates in self-evaluation process. + Acts as Clinical Instructor when appropriate to affiliating students per department procedure. + Performs operational duties in a timely manner. + Completes all operational paperwork per department procedure including daily charges and Medicare Certifications when required. + Assists in the departmental Performance Improvement processes. Bring performance improvement opportunities to the attention of the Director. + Takes ownership of the department by active participation in departmental meetings. + Ensures department cleanliness and maintenance by routinely keeping office and clinical areas clean and neat. Assists with routine equipment and space cleaning. Follows all system and department infection control procedures. + Coordinates and secures weekend PT staff coverage. + Coordinates PTA students for the PT department. + Mentors new PTAs. + Maintains required licenses, certifications, and competencies, and completes annual compliance courses on time. + Other duties as consistent with this role Job Requirements: (education and experience/preferred and required) Job Knowledge and Skills + Responsible, supportive team player. + Ability to work well in high-stress situations. + Strong interpersonal skills. Education and Experience + Associate degree required. + PT Assistant License required. + Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is required. An equivalent combination of education and experience that provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility listed above may be substituted for the above education and experience requirements. Working Conditions/Physical Demands OSHA standards Category I, exposure to blood/body fluids or tissue. Must be able to work in a high-paced environment where multi-tasking, prioritizing, and sound decision-making skills are required. Exposed to disease, illness, infections, strains, and physical injury. Must possess the physical and mental abilities to perform the tasks normally associated with this position that involves a combination of sitting, (standing up to 8+ hours), twisting, walking, bending, stooping, and reaching. Lifting/carrying frequently up to 35 pounds, occasionally up to 50 lbs. Some stress is related to a high level of responsibility for quality care. The ability to speak, read, write, and understand written instructions in English is required. Americans with Disabilities Statement Must be able to perform all essential functions of this position with reasonable accommodation if disabled. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Covenant Health reserves the right to modify position duties at any time, to reflect process improvements and business necessity. Standard of Business Conduct Every St Mary’s Regional Medical Center employee is required to abide by the Standards of Conduct and to report any activity that appears to violate the Standards of Conduct. Covenant Health Mission Statement We are a Catholic health ministry, providing healing and care for the whole person, in service to all in our communities. Our Core Values: •Compassion We show respect, caring and sensitivity towards all, honoring the dignity of each person, especially the poor, vulnerable and suffering. •Integrity We promote justice and ethical behavior, and responsibly steward our human, financial and environmental resources. •Collaboration We work in partnership, dialogue and shared purpose to create healthy communities. •Excellence We deliver all services with the highest level of quality, while seeking creative innovation. Applicants, employees and former employees are protected from employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, and genetic information (including family medical history).