Physical Therapy Assistant

POSITION SUMMARY:

Provides services that will maintain and/or restore function secondary to acute or chronic disability; conducts annual screens, and daily documentation if warranted.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Reviews persons receiving services’ medical record; verify MD’s order and physical therapy assessment prior to implementing PT treatment required. Maintains active/up to date MD prescriptions as outlined by NYS Department of Health (DOH) and Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) depending upon work assignment.
2. Communicates with supervisor regarding persons receiving services. This may include functioning in the areas of: sensorimotor, musculoskeletal status, CNS status, ambulation and adaptive equipment needs (e.g. walker, canes, AFOs).
3. Confers with physicians and other health care practitioners to obtain additional information on persons receiving services. Integrate input from person receiving services, family, and direct care staff in treatment.
4. Writes specific, objective, and measurable documentation, which is outcome oriented and details the persons receiving services’ needs, potential to benefit from treatment and progress achieved to date. All documentation must be completed through ECW within the time frame established by the Healthcare Center. ECW documentation must be cosigned by a licensed PT, if applicable. Consults with supervisor when appropriate to implement recommendations.
5. Provides training to persons receiving services, families and/or direct care staff in specified follow through programs.
6. Communicates effectively with discharge planning from rehabilitative programs.
7. Participates and attends care plan/team meetings as needed for persons receiving PT services.
8. Follows a documented treatment plan, generated by the PT, which may include ROM, therapeutic exercise, ADLs, wheelchair mobility, application of physical agent modalities. Reports status of persons receiving services to the supervising PT. Provide treatment to persons receiving services within facility-specified time frame. Only in consultation with a PT can treatment plans be modified/changed.
9. Perform all duties as assigned.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Graduate of an accredited physical therapy assistant school; New York State license, limited permit, or eligible for licensure to practice physical therapy.
2. Knowledge in the use of ambulatory aides and therapeutic exercises. Must have good written-verbal communication skills and be computer literate.
3. Physical Demands: a. Therapist to be able to demonstrate standard pivot transfers with weight bearing individuals. b. Therapist to be able to demonstrate a two person lift transfer of individuals who are non- weight bearing. c. Therapist to be able to demonstrate the ability to utilize a mechanical lifter as needed.
4. Must be able to travel as assigned to sites in the boroughs in the Healthcare Centers, day programs or residential sites.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Attend/participate in mandatory educational programs as defined by the agency, department policy and by New York State.
2. Maintains current licensure.
3. Performs all job responsibilities in full compliance with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures. Adheres to the agency’s corporate compliance program, including the code of business conduct, the NYS and federal false claims acts, whistleblower protections and mandatory reporting. Complete corporate compliance training at least annually. Fully cooperates in all corporate compliance investigates & reviews.