Physical Therapist Assistant - Inpatient

Overview : Shift: Days; Inpatient JOB SUMMARY: This position is responsible for the administration of physical therapy treatment under the supervision of the Physical Therapist, in accordance with physician referral, state and national organizational standards, regulatory agencies, and established departmental policies and procedures. This position demonstrates the clinical competence and knowledge necessary to provide treatment appropriate to the age of the patients served. Service Excellence is demonstrated by consistently exhibiting the BHS Service Standards in the performance of this job.

Responsibilities :

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
1. Administers Physical Therapy treatment according to the plan of care established by the Physical Therapist. Implements individualized treatment plan with consideration to the patient's physical, social, spiritual, cultural, educational and age specific needs. Provides skilled treatment in a safe manner.
A. Monitors ongoing effectiveness of treatment and collaborates with Physical Therapist in modifying the plan of care when indicated.
B. Identifies and prioritizes key limiting factors.
C. Participates in discharge planning.
D. Involves patient and family/caregiver in the treatment and decision making process.
E. Provides ongoing education to physician, nurse, patient, family/caregiver, and interdisciplinary team.
2. Demonstrates understanding of scope of practice.
A. Documents communication with supervising Physical Therapist.
B. Communicates any significant change in the patient's physical function, behavior, and /or tolerance to treatment to the supervising Physical Therapist.
C. Makes recommendations to Physical Therapist on additions to or modification of referring orders.
D. Provides input to Physical Therapist to modify/update treatment goals so they are functional, measurable, patient related and reflect key limiting factors.
E. Refers patient when treatment requires skills of the Physical Therapist.
3. Documents according to standards set by the department and regulatory agencies.
A. Documents legibly.
B. Completes documentation within the established time frames of the department.
C. Documents innovative and individualized treatment techniques/plan.
D. Documentation reflects comprehensive assessment of patient's progress or lack of progress.
4. Communicates treatment results and patient progress to physicians, nurses, patient, family/caregiver, and interdisciplinary team.
A. Communicates pertinent patient information to other co-workers to ensure the best possible follow through of care.
B. Communicates in a clear and timely manner.
C. Accepts responsibility to contact physicians for routine or difficult problem solving to
ensure optimal patient outcome.
D. Defends treatment rationale with standard practices and/or current literature.
5. Meets productivity standards set by the department.
6. Exhibits adaptability in assignments as it relates to caseload, scheduling, staffing shifts,
and other operational activities in the department.
A. Takes initiative to assist in other patient care areas.
B. Accepts responsibility for all patient care needs.
7. Demonstrates appropriate supervision and delegation of personnel to achieve safe delivery of quality cost effective patient care.
A. Supervision and delegation of the Therapy Technician and PTA student complies with department policies and regulatory agencies.
B. Participates in the training and orientation of new personnel.
C. Assures competency of personnel, prior to delegation of task.
Follows safety standards in all aspects of performance of the above functions, reports/removes unsafe equipment and attends safety education sessions.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS/ ENVIRONMENT:
1&2,5-7 Requires visual and auditory ability to assess patient condition and to administer effective patient care. Must have the manual dexterity, eye-hand coordination, fine and gross motor skills and tactile abilities to perform such functions as necessary to scope of practice. Must be able to use critical thinking and problem solving skills. The environment is a patient care area and associated treatment rooms may require maneuvering equipment in tight spaces. May be required to work in highly stressful situations requiring quick thinking and coordination of a variety of activities at once. Have physical agility to respond in a quick and appropriate manner to unexpected patient and family safety needs. Be able to perform proper body mechanics and have the physical ability to assist patients in ambulating, positioning in bed, and transferring from the bed/mat, wheelchair, or car. Must be able to lift objects in excess of 100 lbs. with assistance and tolerate frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing 50 lbs. or more. Must be able to tolerate prolonged standing, stooping, squatting, bending, pushing and pulling. Requires the treatment to be done in a variety of patient settings.
1-7. Requires the ability to read, write, speak and understand English. Must demonstrate effective verbal and non-verbal communication with internal and external customers. Requires good teaching skills. Ability to organize patient data and document the treatment accurately and completely within the time constraints of a daily patient schedule. Must be able to problem solve effectively with patients, families, staff and physicians.

EQUIPMENT USED:
1&2,5-7. Patient care equipment, assessment tools, and therapeutic modalities.
3-5,7. Copier, multi-line/multi-feature telephone, fax machine, computer, pager, and miscellaneous office equipment.

MARGINAL/ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:
1. Recognizes own learning needs and seeks opportunities to improve knowledge, skills and processes.
a. Maintains clinical competency by attending department in-services and other educational programs.
b. Attends department meetings on a regular basis.
3. Participates in department and hospital process improvement teams.
4. May be required to assume leadership responsibilities.
5. Performs other duties as required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Directly Reporting:
Provides direct/indirect supervision to:
1. Therapy Technician
2. Student
3. Volunteer
4. May provide direction to licensed and non-licensed personnel in the activities necessary to provide quality care and services.
Indirectly Reporting:
See Above
Scope of Supervisory Responsibilities:
N/A

Banner Health Leadership will strive to uphold the mission, vision, and values of the organization. They will serve as role models for staff and act in a people-centered, service excellence-focused, and results-oriented manner.

SCOPE AND COMPLEXITY:
This position has responsibility for interacting with all levels of BHS staff in a variety of departments, physicians, patients, families, and external contacts such as employees of other health care institutions, community providers and agencies concerning the health care of the patient. Also interacts with physician offices in order to report, request or clarify information.

Qualifications :

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Must have graduated from a Physical Therapist Assistant program accredited by the APTA. Must possess a current Physical Therapist Assistant license from the State of Arizona. Relates throughout the interview process their clinical competency, experience, training and education they have received that is required to perform the job.
Banner Health employees are expected to adhere to Banner's service standards, code of conduct and organizational values in all their interactions with Banner patients, other customers, and fellow employees