Job Summary:  The physical therapy assistant is responsible for providing safe and effective delivery of patient care through assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient and family needs within the parameters of the Illinois Physical Therapy Practice Act in order to deliver care promoting optimal recovery and rehabilitation.  The physical therapy assistant promotes safe and effective care to all age groups from infants to geriatrics, coordinating care with the physician and any others involved in the patient’s care.  The physical therapy assistant will provide care throughout the continuum and rotate through the various therapy sites as needed.

Job Responsibilities:

1. Supports patient’s rights and responsibilities, including respect of cultural and religious diversity.
2. Demonstrates flexibility to meet staffing needs of department/organization and appearance.
3. Meets productivity standards, accepting low census time and/or extra time as needed.
4. Demonstrates leadership abilities while appropriately following the chain of command.
5. Provides age-appropriate and population specific care in a safe, skillful, accurate and efficient manner to infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers, school age children, adolescents, adults and geriatrics as appropriate to treatment area(s)
6. Assesses patient and family learning needs and provides ongoing education and evaluation.   
7. Documents readiness to learn, teaching, barriers and outcomes.
8. Identifies patient care to formulate and/or contribute to the discharge plan.
9. Completes documentation accurately and in a timely manner, according to hospital policies and procedures.

Service and Quality Standards:

Service

Is Customer focused

                                Anticipates customer needs

                Adheres to customer service standards Is Competent, caring and compassionate

                Treats coworkers and customers with dignity and respect  Demonstrates competent, caring and compassionate behavior                     to customers and coworkers

People

Is conversation conscious

                                Assures confidentiality of patient and employee information

Is positive in interactions with others Is courteous and respectful

                                Promotes a harassment free environment

                                Inspires the trust of others

Acts in accordance with hospital policies, meets the requirement s of the Code of Excellence/Code of Conduct, and identifies any conflicts of interest

Quality

Is excellent in patient care and service

                                Demonstrates multidisciplinary cooperation

                                Assists in obtaining excellent satisfaction scores of feedback

Is safety conscious

                                Demonstrates safety consciousness and supports safety initiatives

Is involved with improvement efforts

                                Supports performance improvement

                                Seeks ways to improve systems and services

                                Shows commitment to improvement efforts

                                Meets mandatory educational requirements

Growth

Is a loyal ambassador

                                Demonstrates commitment to hospital mission and vision

Is active and involved

                                Supports hospital initiatives

                                Champions innovation and supports change

Is a positive role model

                                Fosters team cooperation

Finance

Is a good steward of hospital resources

                                Develops/uses efficient work methods

Education Requirements and Other Requirements:

Education Level:  Graduate of a physical therapy assistant curriculum approved by the American Physical Therapy Association

                Certification/Licensure:  Licensed in the State of Illinois

Experience Requirements:  One year of experience in a health care setting is required to provide home health services.  

Other Requirements:  Must be able to complete computer work.  Driving and reliable transportation is a necessity for Home Health Care and Early Intervention visits.

Working Conditions: Exposure Category I:  Tasks that involve exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues.  All procedures or other job-related tasks that involve an inherent potential for mucous membrane or skin contact with blood, body fluids, or tissues, or a potential for spills or splashes of them, are Category I tasks.  Use of appropriate protective measures is required for every employee engaged in Category I tasks.