Under general supervision of a physical therapist, assists patients in reaching maximum physical potential, in accordance with the Maryland Physical Therapy Practice Act, treats patients using appropriate therapeutic interventions, participates in team and interdisciplinary meetings, demonstrates competency in treating multiple patient populations within the acute care setting to include at least 1 high risk patient population.

Education:
AA degree from an accredited PT Assistant program.
Licensures/Certifications:
Current Maryland license as a Physical Therapist Assistant; Healthcare Provider (CPR Certification)
Experience:
At least 1 year of experience, acute care experience preferred
Skills:
• Knowledge of physical therapy theories, practices and standards

• Skill in using written and oral communications.

• Skill in following treatment plans, monitoring patient progress, and alerting the supervising physical therapist to status changes. 

• Ability to demonstrate excellent customer service skills

• Ability to prioritize and schedule patients utilizing time efficiently.

• Skill in organization

• Ability to demonstrate proficiency in use of standardized tests to support documentation

• Ability to manage an average caseload per productivity standards set

• Ability to be proficient in treating at least 2 High Risk patient populations

• Basic computer skills and proficient in EMR navigation

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
Patient care Treatment:

• Provides objective information for the physical therapist in the accordance with the physical therapy plan of care and goals

• Implements treatment in accordance with the plan of care & goals established by the PT Evaluation and documents treatment program and goal progress, consults with the Physical Therapist when changes to plan of care or goals are required

• Implements appropriate therapeutic interventions, progressing treatment plan and teaching patients/caregivers activities to reinforce therapeutic interventions, providing/fitting appropriate assistive devices and recognizing patient distress signals, which need follow-up

• Documents treatment plans and progress; records data required for statistics, productivity, billing, performance improvement program, etc. as appropriate

• Utilizes the assistance of rehab techs and volunteers for housekeeping, transportation and physical assistance, does not utilize the rehab tech in a context that could be interpreted as providing supervision

• Maintains current knowledge of therapy practice through continuing education and relays information to both nursing and rehab staff to enhance quality of patient care

• Consistently provides both written and verbal patient education

Clinical Collaboration:

• Informs Physical Therapist, MD, RN and Discharge Planner of patient’s status and progress towards goals through documentation or direct communication, documents communications with Physical Therapist regarding changes in patient status, treatment plan or discharge plan, communicates equipment needs and any changes/updates to original D/C plan to the discharge planner and RN

• Communicates with patient/caregiver to allay anxieties, seek input and elicit cooperation, trains and educates caregivers to assist patients with exercise program, maintain precautions and demonstrate safe functional mobility

• Participates in discharge planning with the interdisciplinary team, recommending appropriate assistance and continuation of the rehabilitation process as needed

Teaching, Training, Mentoring:

• Provides a positive experience for assigned medical residents who perform rotation within the department

• Provides a positive experience for at least one volunteer or student shadow experience

• Acts as a resource for new staff

Departmental Initiatives:

• Receptive to change in promoting and complying with departmental initiatives

Team Work:

• Consistently demonstrates flexibility with schedule to accommodate follow-up treatments

• Identifies and communicates issues related to the working environment

• Utilizes chain of command effectively to promote cohesion and team work

Professional Growth and Development:

• Independently recognizes own clinical limitations and seeks education

• Actively seeks advice and incorporates feedback from PT Mentor/ Program Manager

• Utilizes evidence based research for clinical practice and documentation

Performance Improvement:

• Participates in performance improvement activities, collecting data and suggesting areas for improvement

• Adheres to performance Improvement/LDM requirements per department plan

Leadership Collaboration:

• Resolves unit issues/problems, developing resolutions and following up with both departmental staff and unit.

• Performs at least 3 peer reviews annually

Fiscal Accountability:

• Demonstrates proficiency in proper billing and coding

• Utilizes time management skills to increase productivity, meets productivity standards set

• Actively seeks advice for performance improvement and demonstrates incorporation of feedback for performance improvement

Community Outreach:

• Encouraged to support GBMC sponsored community events

All roles must demonstrate GBMC Values:

Respect

I will treat everyone with courtesy. I will foster a healing environment.

Treats others with fairness, kindness, and respect for personal dignity and privacyListens and responds appropriately to others’ needs, feelings, and capabilities

Excellence

I will strive for superior performance in every aspect of my work. I will recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of others.

Meets and/or exceeds customer expectationsActively pursues learning and self-developmentPays attention to detail; follows through

Accountability

I will be professional in the way I act, look and speak. I will take ownership to solve problems.

Sets a positive, professional example for othersTakes ownership of problems and does what is needed to solve themAppropriately plans and utilizes required resources for various job dutiesReports to work regularly and on time

Teamwork

I will be engaged and collaborative. I will keep people informed.

Works cooperatively and collaboratively with others for the success of the teamAddresses and resolves conflict in a positive waySeeks out the ideas of others to reach the best solutionsAcknowledges and celebrates the contribution of others

Ethical Behavior

I will always act with honesty and integrity. I will protect the patient.

Demonstrates honesty, integrity and good judgmentRespects the cultural, psychosocial, and spiritual needs of patients/families/coworkers

Results

I will set goals and measure outcomes that support organizational goals. I will give and accept help to achieve goals.

Embraces change and improvement in the work environmentContinuously seeks to improve the quality of products/servicesDisplays flexibility in dealing with new situations or obstaclesAchieves results on time by focusing on priorities and manages time efficiently

COVID-19 Vaccination

All applicants must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 or obtain a GBMC approved medical or religious exemption prior to starting employment at GBMC Healthcare, to include Gilchrist and GBMC Health Partners.

Equal Employment Opportunity

GBMC HealthCare and its affiliates are Equal Opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.