Summary:

As a member of the health care team, assists the physical therapist with patient care by implementing treatment plans. Maintains patient records and directs support staff as needed. 

Responsibilities:

Care of the Patient:

• Able to independently deliver a treatment plan that addresses identified problem(s), deficits and discharge needs and assists with decreasing LOS.
• Actively seeks out a diagnosis mix to facilitate ability to independently treat throughout the facility.
• Demonstrates skilled expertise when monitoring patients during treatment.   
• Able to apply reasoning and judgment to skilled observations and reports adverse reactions to physician, supervising PT and/or nursing.
• Reports findings to supervising PT and solicits their involvement when needed.   
• Demonstrates a working knowledge of the use of modalities and their contraindications.
• Actively seeks research based treatments and applies to daily treatment.
• Knowledgeable of available wound care supplies, current protocols and techniques.

Communication and Education of Patients:

• Able to explain the role of physical therapy; provides information on what to expect and works to build rapport.
• Determines the education needs of the patient and family. Actively engages caregivers to ensure education needs are met.
• Provides written home exercise program to ensure maximum benefit. Solicits demonstration of exercises contained in home exercise program to ensure   maximum benefit.
  

Conferences and Collaboration:

• Prepares for team/supervision conferences in advance. Reports patient status objectively.
• Understands role in discharge planning during conferences. Provides pertinent information that aids timely discharge.
• Recognizes when physician needs to be informed of patient status or d/c needs. Consistently contacts appropriate care giver.
• Works effectively with other team members to foster mutual respect, trust   and positively affect the continuum of care.
• Demonstrates ability to work in multiple departments; able to communicate with supervisors when this need arises; able to transition from one setting to another easily; seeks out opportunities for new learning in different settings.

Time Management:

• Anticipates patients'/department's needs during planned absences. Provides endorsements for patients as needed.
• Coordinates with peers so that support personnel are maximized with minimal down time. Meets supervision requirements of APTA and the state licensing board.
• Notifies PT promptly when reevaluation is needed.
• Meets productivity standard 90% of the time.
• Reviews schedule in advance when requesting PTO; ensures that requested time does not place patient care in jeopardy.
• Is able to demonstrate flexibility in a staffing crisis; willing to adjust schedule to ensure patients' needs are met.
  

 Documentation:

• May be requested to assist with training of new associates on floor or with documentation.
• Documentation reflects need for skilled therapy services provided; allows another therapist to treat patient with minimum explanation.
• Consistently documents education including topic, method, effectiveness and potential need for further education.
  

Department Business:

• Attends 85% of all department meetings.
• Readily identifies clinical development needs and participates in clinical development.
• Actively participates in problem solving with issues that arise and   demonstrates good judgment. Looks for timely resolution and remains calm and effective.
• Ensures that all base and annual competencies are completed prior to due date. Completes self-assessment annually.
• Takes opportunities to educate physician and other health care workers on role of PT and appropriate use of services.
• Remains aware of department goals and requirements - productivity, patient safety and regulatory requirements.
  

Professional Growth:

• Adheres to professional code of ethics, as well as organizations core values.
• Maintains state licensure. Provides manager with renewal information 15 days prior to expiration date.   
• Maintains AHA CPR certification.
• Participates with clinical student affiliation through direct or adjunct supervision.
• Applies knowledge of growth and development from infant through geriatrics and is able to modify interventions for care based on each stage. 

Hospital Procedures:

• Accrues no more than 3 unscheduled absences annually. Reports to assigned work station at designated time.
• Follows established call in procedures.
• Consistently follows hospital and/or departmental procedures for dress, hygiene and ID badges.
• Follows all safety precautions.
• Has no avoidable accidents or injuries during the annual review period.
• Attends and/or completes all mandated infection control and safety programs on or before scheduled performance review date.
• Adheres to hospital policies and department rules consistently.
• Consistently exhibits a professional demeanor that supports the CHRISTUS mission, creating an atmosphere of security and comfort for patients and   families and that influences others to strive for professionalism.
• Follows the CHRISTUS Health guidelines related to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) designed to prevent or detect unauthorized disclosure of Protected Health Information (PHI). 

Requirements:

Education/Skills

• Graduate with an Associate Degree from an accredited Physical Therapy Assistant program, approved by the American Physical Therapy Association

Experience

• New graduate or experienced Physical Therapy Assistant

Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications

• Must have and maintain current license in the State of Texas as a Physical Therapy Assistant
• American Heart Association BLS ? within two (2) weeks of employment

Work Schedule:

5 Days - 8 Hours

Work Type:

Full Time

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About CHRISTUS Health

CHRISTUS Health is an international faith-based, not-for-profit health care system based in Irving, Texas, with more than 60 hospitals in Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Chile, Colombia and Mexico. CHRISTUS Health is made up of 50,000 Associates providing compassionate and individualized care at more than 600 centers, including community hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities and health ministries. Sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word of Houston, Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word of San Antonio and the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, our mission is to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to every individual we serve.

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