Physical Therapist Assistant

Summary of Position:

Plan, organize, and assist with a resident’s functional maintenance exercise program in accordance with established policies and procedures, and standards of practice as delineated by Hale Ho Aloha. Performs the delivery of direct physical therapy services to patients, under the supervision of a Physical Therapist.

Essential Duties:

Under the general supervision of the Administrator, and a Physical Therapist as required, in accordance with established departmental and policies and procedures and standards such as, but not limited to the following:

Develops a resident’s functional maintenance exercise program with the intention of maintaining the resident’s current functional abilities as it relates to physical function and completion of activities of daily living (ADLs).

Assists residents in completing functional maintenance exercise program. May modify a resident’s program in accordance with changes in patient status within the scope of the overall functional maintenance program goals.

Complete documentation of daily program participation and progress, per company guidelines

Assists the company Physical Therapists in the provision of direct patient care per physician orders and within the scope and limitations set forth by the statues and/or rules of the profession.

Provides clinical direction, including instruction and delegation of tasks to restorative nurse aides as it relates to a resident’s functional maintenance exercise program.

Instructs residents in activities of daily living, physical and function restoration and improvement, adaptive devices and equipment, injury prevention, environmental modification and body mechanics, as needed.

Actively participates with planned resident care plan meetings as a member of the interdisciplinary team and completes required documentation.

Maintains confidentiality and respect of all resident information and ensures that the resident’s rights including equitable treatment, self-determination, individuality, property, privacy, and civil rights are always followed.

Maintains a clean, orderly, and safe environment for the residents; assists in maintaining equipment in good working order.

Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care based on physical, psychosocial, educational, safety and related criteria appropriate to adult and geriatric patient populations. Conforms to applicable Hale Ho Aloha regulations regarding standard precautions and infection control.

Participates in performance improvement and activities, utilization and appropriateness of care review, department programs and projects.

Maintains and updates professional knowledge and skills necessary to perform job duties and responsibilities; Develops and maintains technical and other job-related competencies. Acquires and retains job-related credentials and licenses, as applicable.

Attends meetings and completes all mandatory in-services as directed.

Upholds the values of Hale Ho Aloha, ensuring that the mission and vision of the company are understood and accomplished with consistency.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited Physical Therapist Assistant program with an Associate of Science Degree as a Physical Therapist Assistant required. Current Physical Therapist Assistant licensure in the State of Hawaii required. Current CPR Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, required with retraining every two years. One year of experience as licensed Physical Therapist Assistant required. Experience in skilled nursing or long-term care preferred.

Requires dealing with multiple and varying types of activities and people to effect efficient and timely delivery of services; planning, directing, and controlling activities related to patient treatment and delivery of services. Requires attention to detail for implementation of procedures, protocols, and/or problem identification; concentration despite distractions from others in the work area; alertness to anticipate any dangers or unsafe situations; accurately taking direction; effective problem solving; initiating activities and working independently.

Requires understanding of the concepts of rehabilitation and restorative exercise and being able to incorporate them into residents’ activities of daily living; demonstrated capability of functioning in an interdisciplinary setting; able to perform in situations requiring direction, control or planning of an activity in order to initiate and perform resident care.

Requires knowledge of group dynamics and effective team functioning to participate effectively within an interdisciplinary team, and to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others, using tact and diplomacy. Must be able to express self-care concepts in a manner that is easily understood by residents and their family members/care givers. Requires maintaining confidentiality of patient and Hale Ho Aloha information.