Job Description

Northern Montana Hospital

Physical Therapy Assistant - Physical Therapy

The PTA will carry out Physical Therapist developed programs to guide individuals in improving their quality of life following injury, disease or loss of a body part with consideration to patient’s gender, age, cultural differences, and educational needs.

(Education, License / Registration, Experience, Knowledge and Abilities)

1. Completed a professional course of education which is accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association.
2. Current licensure to practice Physical Therapy in the state of  Montana.
3. Amiable personality, ability to make sound judgments, and the ability to maintain an empathetic and understanding attitude towards patients.

1. Continually assess patient utilizing tests of joint range of motion and mobility, skeletal muscle strength, posture and gait, limb length and circumference, activities of daily living, cardiopulmonary function, sensory and motor nerve conduction velocity, orthotic and prosthetic function, sensation and sensory perception, reflexes and muscle tone, sensorimotor and other skilled performance.
2. Carry out established program for each patient involving physical means such as exercise, massage, heat, water, light, and electricity.
3. Records the progress reports as per departmental policy.
4. Cooperate and coordinate efforts with the medical staff to provide efficient and effective care for all patients.
5. Coordinate with other health professionals the medical treatment of the patient in order to provide quality patient care.

 ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS CONTINUED…

1. Conducts or participates in the training of medical personnel in physical therapy techniques and objectives.
2. Adapts conventional physical therapy techniques to meet the needs of patients unable to comprehend verbal commands or voluntarily carry out a regime of therapeutic exercises.
3. Assists in the preparation of requisitions for supplies and equipment.
4. Ensure that equipment and supplies are properly maintained and replaced as needed.
5. Supervises subordinate personnel in the carrying out of treatment regimes.
6.  Reports all unusual occurrences to the Rehab Service Manager or designee immediately.
7. Maintains an awareness of the variances between individuals due to gender, age, cultural needs, and educational background.
8. Screens patients for appropriate referrals to P.T..

Sitting: Approximately 30% of time while applying modalities, supervising exercises, and attending meetings.

Standing: Approximately 50% of time applying modalities, supervising exercise programs, charting, cleaning, and demonstrating exercises.

Walking: Approximately 20% of time while gait training, transporting patients, running errands within the hospital, moving from patient to patient.

Lifting: a.)  25-40 lbs. Floor to waist occasionally while moving turbine cleaning bucket, or demonstrating to    

                    patients.

               b.) 50-100 lbs. Waist to shoulder occasionally when transferring patients or demonstrating to patients.

               c.) 1-5 lbs. Over shoulder occasionally to retrieve clipboards, TENS Unit, and change exercise bars.

Carrying:  a.)  Occasionally carry 5 lbs. (cervical hot packs) 15-200 ft.

                    b.) Occasionally carry 14 lbs. (lumbar hot packs) 15-200 ft.

                    c.) Occasionally carry 33 lbs. (passive motion device or pediatric patients) 20-30 ft.

                    d.) Occasionally carry 100 lbs. while transferring patients 3 ft.

                    e.) Occasionally carry 125 lbs. while transferring patients 3 ft.

Push/Pull:  a.) Frequently move utility carts with 3 lbs. of force on carpet.

                    b.) Occasionally 15 lbs. of force moving traction unit & 150-200 lbs. patient in wheelchair.

                    c.) Occasionally moves gurney with 200 lb. Patient on carpet with 20 lbs. of force.

Bending:  Occasionally while cleaning hydro tanks, frequently when using modalities.

Squatting: Occasionally while working with mat patients or demonstrating to patients.

Kneeling: Occasionally while working with pediatrics.

Crawling: Occasionally while working with pediatrics.

Stairs: Occasionally two-stories to administrative offices.

Reaching:a.)  Shoulder level frequently to answer phone, occasionally while demonstrating to patients.

1. Below shoulder level occasionally to move stretcher, change treatment tables, writing. 

Applying modalities and manual resistive exercises.

1. Above shoulder level while changing exercise bars, retrieving TENS Units, clipboards, and demonstrating to patients.

Repetitive actions: (hands)

                  a.)  Simple grasp-Ultrasound, pins, telephone, occasionally.

1. Firm grasp-Occasionally massages and mobilization techniques.

1. Sensory Skills:  Sight, touch, and hearing are needed to apply modalities.  Smell is needed when changing dressings.
2. Mental Skills:  Need to be able to schedule, progress exercise programs, and monitor safety factors, supervising techs and monitoring programs recognizing the variations in patients based on gender, age, cultural differences, and educational needs.
3. Social Skills: Communicate with others, answer phone, take accurate information, and interact with patients and staff appropriately based on gender, age, cultural differences, and educational background.
4. Equipment Operation:  (devices, machines, etc.) Computers, electrical stimulator, ultrasound units, various types of exercise equipment.

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