PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSISTANT (LICENSED) - 01212025-64700

Job Information

State of Tennessee Job Information

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF DISABILITY AND AGING (DDA), MIDDLE TENNESSEE COMMUNITY HOMES DIVISION, DAVIDSON COUNTY

Background checks and fingerprints required prior to employment.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Licensure to practice as a physical therapy assistant as required by the Health Related Boards.

Substitution of Education for Experience: None.

Substitution of Experience for Education: None.

Necessary Special Qualifications: None.

Examination Method: Education and Experience, 100%, for Preferred Service positions.

Overview

Summary: Under general supervision, performs para-professional physical therapy work of average difficulty and performs other work as required.

Distinguishing Features: An employee in this class performs para-professional physical therapy work and is licensed to assist a physical therapist in implementing the plan of therapy for an individual, but whose activities cannot include the interpretation of referrals, the performance of evaluation procedures, and the determination or modification of physical therapy programs. This class differs from Physical Therapy Technician in that an incumbent of the latter is not required to be licensed by the Health-Related Boards.

Responsibilities

Assisting and Caring for Others:

1. Carries out physical therapy plans to improve the quality of life, functioning, health, and safety of persons served.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards:

1. Ensures that all work is carried out in accordance with state laws governing the practice of physical therapy.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates:

1. Communicates with physical therapists, other interdisciplinary team members, families, and persons served to discuss interventions.

Performing General Physical Activities:

1. Walks, lifts, bends, and uses balance to transfer and provide interventions to persons served.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems:

1. Monitors physical therapy plans for persons served to make sure that outcomes and goals are being met.
2. May assist Physical Therapist with choosing interventions that will best meet the outcomes developed for persons served.
3. Modifies interventions carried out during each session under the direction of the physical therapist.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events:

1. Recognizes health and safety issues and reports them to the appropriate persons for resolution.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials:

1. Reviews the functioning of equipment to determine whether it's in good working order and that it is appropriate and safe for the person served.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others:

1. Advocates for persons served to improve their health, safety, and quality of life.
2. Facilitates communication with internal and external parties to resolve differences.

Training and Teaching Others:

1. Conducts person-specific training for persons served and other staff.
2. Conducts general training on topics such as transfers, fall prevention, and the use of therapeutic equipment for staff.
3. Identifies staff or collaborates with others to assign staff that is best qualified to serve as trainers.
4. Uses a variety of training methods to effectively deliver training.

Controlling Machines and Processes:

1. Uses mechanical lifts, custom positioning equipment, assistive devices, medical equipment, and other mechanical devices to monitor status and to provide interventions.

Getting Information:

1. Obtains information from the person served, physical therapists, direct support staff, case managers, families, other clinical staff, and others through e-mails or through conversation or meetings.
2. Gathers pertinent information from evaluations and medical charts to assist in assessments and the development of plans.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work:

1. Prioritizes work based on the needs and schedules of persons served and other stakeholders.
2. Develops and modifies generalized trainings based on needs of stakeholders.

Analyzing Data or Information:

1. Analyzes information from clinical and support staff to share with physical therapists for decision-making purposes.
2. Conducts trend analysis using information from written records to share with management for risk management purposes.

Thinking Creatively:

1. Develops strategies to keep persons served engaged and interested in participating in interventions.
2. Creates a safe and stimulating environment for persons participating in interventions.

Documenting/Recording Information:

1. Writes follow-up notes for medical and other charts on persons served.
2. Writes summaries of appointments attended for inclusion in medical charts.
3. Writes service summaries related to observations, consultations, and follow-up.
4. Records information on trainings conducted.

Coaching and Developing Others:

1. Models appropriate intervention techniques for other staff to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others:

1. Provides technical assistance to others regarding state expectations for service delivery.

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment:

1. Performs minor repairs on therapeutic equipment and assistive devices.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information:

1. Determines the degree of progress the person served is making and the appropriateness of the equipment used.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships:

1. Develops relationships with persons served, co-workers, and managers by attending meetings, providing technical assistance, and responding to requests for information.

Scheduling Work and Activities:

1. Plans and modifies work schedule to meet the needs of persons served and the interdisciplinary team.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge:

1. Attends continuing education events to provide quality interventions and maintain licensure.

Communicating with Persons outside Organization:

1. Communicates with stakeholders and vendors to meet the needs of persons served.

Interacting with Computers:

1. Completes training courses in the computer system.
2. Enters time and leave and overtime requests and checks leave balances in the computer.
3. Uses computer e-mail system for scheduling, communication, and technical assistance.
4. Develops forms and grids and writes treatment documentation using computer software.

Processing Information:

1. Maintains records of activities, interventions, and trainings.
2. Calculates the number of physical therapy units required for specific interventions.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings:

1. Monitors the frequency of equipment usage to ensure that it's being used as prescribed.

Handling and Moving Objects:

1. Moves, sets up, and stores equipment so that it is ready to be used.

Competencies (KSA's)

Competencies:

1. Decision Quality
2. Functional/Technical Competency
3. Problem Solving
4. Time Management
5. Conflict Management
6. Perseverance
7. Presentation Skills
8. Written Communications
9. Approachability
10. Compassion

Knowledge:

1. Basic computer knowledge for communication and creating documentation

Skills:

1. Basic active learning skills to gather and interpret information
2. Basic active listening skills for communication and to gather information
3. Basic critical thinking skills for problem solving
4. Basic learning strategies skills for education and training purposes
5. Basic monitoring skills for self-assessments and quality assurance
6. Basic writing skills for documentation, communication, and educational purposes
7. Basic instruction skills for communication and educational purposes
8. Basic judgment and decision making skills to select appropriate interventions

Abilities:

1. Deductive Reasoning
2. Fluency of Ideas
3. Oral Comprehension
4. Oral Expression
5. Problem Sensitivity
6. Written Comprehension
7. Written Expression
8. Gross Body Coordination
9. Gross Body Equilibrium

Tools & Equipment

1. Gait belts, walkers, and other assistive devices
2. Goniometers
3. Blood pressure monitors
4. Pulse oximeters
5. Custom therapeutic/positioning devices
6. Inclinometers
7. Computer
8. Basic hand tools
9. Tape measures
10. Cameras
11. Exercise equipment
12. Mechanical and transfer lifts
13. Bed alarms