Physical Therapy Aide

Responsibilities:

• Performs duties in support of Inpatient and/or Outpatient Physical Therapy and Orthopedic teams, including checking and maintaining par levels of supplies, ordering supplies and maintaining inventory levels, and storing supplies as received.
• Contacts vendors to facilitate orders for prosthetics/orthotics and ensures appropriate charging is completed.
• Ensures billing/charging is completed in a timely and accurate manner.
• Assists with patient flow and with moving, ambulating and transporting patients as directed.
• For Outpatient assignments, checks temperatures of hydroculator, aquaciser and paraffin and log, notifying engineering if adjustment is necessary and documenting; cleans equipment (mats/weights/balls; hydroculator, aquaciser, paraffin, freezer); prepares treatment areas and modalities (hot/cold packs, paraffin); and assists office coordinator with filing, phones, preparing patient charts and photocopying.
• For Inpatient assignments, performs orthopedic duties as per physician order; setting up traction, trapezes, CPM machines;, applying, removing and modifying casts; setting up footboards, soft orthopedic goods and other related equipment.
• Ensures a safe environment of care through rounding; maintains the equipment room; ensures equipment is placed in soiled utility room for cleaning.
• Performs orthopedic technician procedures.
• Checks orders frequently throughout the day in all areas to ensure timely provision of services.
• Documents verification of order in medical record; applies orthopedic appliances, soft goods and/or casts as ordered.
• Assists with the maintenance and cleanliness of supportive areas and equipment (i.e. equipment room; soiled utility room; medication/supply rooms).
• Checks orthopedic equipment monthly; cleans and maintains equipment without prompting.
• Assists others within the department with their responsibilities and adjusts work schedule to meet organizational needs.
• Provides patient education on cast care, and how to remove and apply splints.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education:

• High School Degree.

Certifications:

• None required.

Complexity of Work:

• All employees are expected to meet the standards of performance outlined in the Organizational-Wide Competencies listed below as applied to the position:
• World Class Service Orientation: Includes attitude, behavior, interpersonal skill, and problem solving that enable an employee to respond to internal and external customer needs and expectations in a positive manner.
• Adaptability: Includes teamwork and flexibility needed to fulfill job responsibilities including adapting to changes in work environment and accepting supervisory feedback.
• Efficiency and Effectiveness: Includes quantity and quality of desired work, as well as organization skills necessary to perform successfully.
• Essential Job Requirements: Includes adherence to all relevant policies, procedures, and guidelines affecting the work environment, including maintenance of required competencies and communication skills.
• Supervisory Responsibilities (if applicable): Includes overall accountability for assigned work group relative to operational goals, personnel requirements, and budgetary constraints.
• Note: The above stated duties are intended to outline those functions typically performed by individuals assigned to this classification. This description of duties is not intended to be all inclusive nor to limit the discretionary authority of supervisors to assign other tasks of similar nature or level of responsibility.

Work Experience:

• On-the-job training either at this facility or approved similar setting.
• This position requires reasoning, mathematical and English language skills.
• Ability to work at a fast pace and to prioritize multiple assignments/projects and respond to numerous requests.
• Ability to resolve conflicts among staff and to work collaboratively.
• Needs minimal sustained direction in assessing needs and carrying out departmental and professional responsibilities.

Physical Requirements:

• Work is medium/frequent, lifting and carrying equipment, supplies and materials up to 50 pounds without help of mechanical devices or other personnel.
• Stooping, pushing, reaching and pulling when moving patients or equipment into position for treatment.
• Working Environment and Demands of Position: The occupant of this position spends 98% his/her time in air-conditioned areas, the remainder in outside areas. The potential for exposure to blood and blood-borne pathogens is present while completing clinical duties.

Personal Protective Equipment:

• Follows Standard Precautions using personal protective equipment as required for procedures.