Role Overview:
Implements patient care plans as directed by the physical therapist, treating individuals of all ages. Acts as a professional role model and clinical resource for staff and students, ensuring adherence to treatment protocols and documentation standards.
Qualifications & Skills:
Requires an Associate’s Degree in Physical Therapy Assistance and an active Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) license. Must have Basic Life Support (BLS) certification within 30 days. Board eligibility or certification is necessary, with ongoing completion of continuing education focused on acute stroke care.
Key Responsibilities:
- Educates patients, families, caregivers, and healthcare teams using effective teaching methods.
- Follows and adjusts the therapist’s plan of care based on patient response, communicating with the evaluating therapist and documenting accordingly.
- Provides treatment interventions such as therapeutic exercises, gait and balance training, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and aquatic therapy.
- Completes daily documentation and billing in the electronic medical record.
- Coordinates with physical therapists and communicates patient progress and treatment recommendations with referring providers.
- Maintains compliance with documentation policies and ongoing education requirements.