Purpose of Your Job Position

The primary purpose of your position is to assist in planning, organizing, developing, and directing Physical Therapy Services in accordance with current applicable federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations, and as may be directed by the Administrator, to assure that the highest degree of quality resident care can be maintained at all times.

Job Function

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or is an essential function of the position.

Duties and Responsibilities

Administrative Functions

• Assist in planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing our physical therapy services as well as its programs and activities, as directed by the Facility’s Physical Therapists.

• Assist in developing and maintaining physical therapy standards.

• Assist in standardizing the methods in which therapy will be accomplished.

• Assist in developing, implementing, and coordinating policies and procedures, resident care plans, physical therapy procedure manuals, job descriptions, etc.

• Review physical therapy policies, procedures, manuals, job descriptions, etc., at least annually, and participate in making recommended changes.

• Assist in interpreting physical therapy policies and procedures to personnel, residents, family members, etc., as necessary.

• Participate and assist in discharge planning, development and implementation of resident care plans, resident assessments, etc., as necessary.

• Maintain a current file of residents who have been treated.

• Maintain treatment records, resident files, and progress notes as required.

• Ensure resident records are not lost or mishandled.

• Ensure the Business Office receives charges for physical therapy rendered to residents.

• Maintain an adequate liaison with families and residents.

• Interview residents, or family members, as necessary.

• Perform administrative requirements such as completing necessary forms, reports, etc., and submitting to the Physical Therapist, as required.

Personnel Functions

• Maintain an excellent working relationship with the medical profession and other health related facilities and organizations.

• Develop and maintain a good working rapport with inter-department personnel, as well as other departments within the Facility to assure that services and activities can be properly maintained to meet the needs of the residents.

• Assist in the training of competent physical therapy personnel.

• Coordinate physical therapy with other departments.

• Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials and hazardous chemicals to your Supervisor.

Therapy Functions

• Provide individual Physical Therapy services to residents according to the resident’s plan of care.

• Brief resident of procedures involved in physical therapy and prepare necessary equipment.

• Assist in transporting residents to and from physical therapy room or area.

• Act as receptionist to residents for the physical therapy department.

• Demonstrate to resident and nursing personnel, as necessary, the use of medical appliances involved in physical therapy (e.g., wheelchairs, crutches, canes, braces, and prosthetic appliances and devices).

• Perform physical therapy in resident’s room, as necessary.

• Reassure resident before and during therapy treatment.

• Assist in preparing resident for treatment by dress or position and administer physical therapy in accordance with established policies and procedures.

• Encourage resident to perform and/or participate in ADL functions.

• Assist the therapist, as directed, in administering hydrotherapy.

• Assist residents in ambulatory training, as directed.

• Assist in applying agents such as diathermy, ultrasound, infrared, massage, therapeutic exercise, etc., as instructed or directed.

• Be alert to resident’s response to treatment. Notify therapist immediately for assistance if required.

• Communicate with supervisory Physical Therapist regarding Plan of Care.

Education

• Must have graduated from an accredited physical therapy program.

• Must have any required state license in physical therapy.

Experience

• Must have experience in an assistant capacity in a hospital, nursing care facility, or other related medical facility.

Specific Requirements

• Must have initiative to carry out assigned task with or without constant supervision.

• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.

• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.

• Must possess the ability to interpret the policies and procedures of physical therapy.

• Must maintain the care and use of supplies, equipment, etc., and maintain the appearance of therapy areas.

• Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing therapy services.

• Must be able to relate information concerning a resident’s condition.