Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant, PRN

It's more than a career, it's a calling

MO-SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital 1201 Grand

Worker Type:

Regular

Job Highlights:

We have an exciting opportunity for a Physical Therapy Assistant to join our team. In this role, you will work under the supervision of a physical therapist, providing therapy services to inpatients and outpatients with various diagnoses. Your responsibilities will include utilizing specialized modalities and techniques following the Professional Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics established by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and following the policies and procedures of our Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR) Department.

Saint Louis University Hospital, where SSM Health is located, is a renowned non-profit, research, academic, and teaching hospital. We take pride in being one of our region's few Level 1 Trauma centers and specialize in advanced and experimental healthcare. Our team at SSM Health truly embraces the concept of collaboration and excellence in healthcare.

SSM Health offers exceptional pay, benefits, tuition reimbursement, pet insurance, matching retirement funds, and more! We believe in recognizing and rewarding our employees' dedication and hard work.

If you are passionate about making a difference in patients' lives and providing high-quality care, we would love to hear from you. Your skills and expertise would be a valuable addition to our team at SSM Health.

Job Summary:

Under the supervision of a physical therapist (PT), provides therapy services to inpatients and outpatients with a wide variety of diagnoses utilizing specialized modalities and techniques in accordance with the Professional Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics as established by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), SSM Health, and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR) Department Policies and Procedures. Collaborates with inter-disciplinary and inter-departmental team to achieve goals and objectives for the provision of optimal patient care services. These services include structured treatment, program implementation, related documentation, and communication.

Job Responsibilities and Requirements:

POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES AND PERFORMANCE CRITERIA (Percent of Time)

Essential Functions: The following are essential job accountabilities and performance criteria:

Position Accountabilities

1. Provides quality patient care through effective and complete evaluations, appropriate treatment plans, and goals as assessed by Performance Improvement (PI) monitoring, peer/supervisor observation, documentation, and verbal reports. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8) 55%

a. Carries out appropriate treatment plans based on goals set and progresses patient appropriately regarding frequency and duration, diagnosis, expected length of stay, and patient needs.

b. Delegates responsibility appropriately and supervises rehabilitation technicians, student's aides, and volunteers in relation to patient care.

c. Requests therapist intervention as problems arise or conditions change recognizing own limitations. Routinely informs (at least weekly) therapist of patient status.

d. Assess patient for presence of pain on assessment, reassessments and treatment incorporating patient's cultural/spiritual beliefs regarding pain into pain management plan. Implements pain management techniques. Include patient and/or family members in developing a pain management plan. Considers other methods of pain control when developing plan of care: massage, repositioning and immobilization.

e. Applies restraints consistent with the approved procedure. Monitors and assesses patient's response to restraints.

f. Is aware of abuse recognition criteria and incorporates it into assessments. Reports signs of possible abuse/neglect to the physician & Risk Management, and recommends appropriate consultations (psychiatric, Social Work) for evaluation.

g. Demonstrates competence for identified areas related to physical therapy.

h. Maintains proprietary information and patient confidentiality.

i. Attends and/or provides feedback regarding rounds and meetings related to patient care.

j. Collaborates with other members of the healthcare team by initiating appropriate referrals, coordinating schedules and treatment plans, and communicating openly with caring and respect.

1. Documents in complete, accurate, and timely fashion with content following department policy and/or format as assessed by PI monitoring, peer/supervisor observation, and chart auditing. (1, 2, 4, 5, 6) 15%

a. Documentation is done per protocols: Inpatient progress notes are hand-written on the interdisciplinary sheet each day the patient is seen. Outpatient progress notes are written for each visit. Documentation includes thorough treatment plan and goals. Progress notes should reflect patient's achievements toward goals and discharge planning. Function, as well as the patient's perception of treatment, must be documented as an integral component of all treatment and reflected in the notes. Discharge summaries are completed within 3 days of discharge and reviewed by therapist overseeing treatment.

b. Documentation meets regulatory and insurance requirements per SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital and regulatory and insurance agencies i.e. 30-day treatment plans, times on notes, insurance authorization, etc.

c. Write-ups for substitutions, switches, days off and Saturdays/Sundays/Holidays are done promptly and completely.

d. Daily schedules are turned in to the front desk daily with charges accurately and completely documented, including charges for equipment.

e. Rounds sheets and unit sheets are filled out accurately, completely, and timely.

f. Informs supervisor if difficulties arise concerning timeliness of documentation.

g. Familiar with and able to utilize Meditech functions including Office Automation, Departmental Option, Patient Care Inquiry, and Scheduling. Familiar with PC operation including clickit and email.

1. Demonstrates acceptable professional characteristics. (2, 4, 5, 6) 10%

a. Works within professional role according to standards set by the APTA, Missouri Physical Therapy Practice Act, department service standards, and department policies and procedures.

b. Maintains harmonious relationships with co-workers, both inter- and intra-

departmentally, providing support and assistance to foster team building. Appropriately addresses problems/concerns with peers and/or supervisors as needed.

c. Communicates effectively with patients and other health care team members to ensure

quality patient care. This includes keeping other professionals informed of patient status and addressing any problems/concerns with peers and/or supervisors as needed.

1. Actively participates in department activities. (5, 6) 5%

a. Attends, actively participates, and interacts in all department meetings pertinent to area. Is accountable for information discussed at meetings.

b. Attends all department in services unless not pertinent or prevented by patient care.

c. Provides one in service inside or outside of the department.

d. Assists with observation students, volunteers, and student aides as needed.

e. Assists with competency checks as needed.

f. Assists in clinical instruction providing up to 80 hours of clinical experience and guidance including completion of appropriate paperwork and evaluations.

1. Provides safe, effective, physical therapy treatments in a time efficient manner. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8) 5%

a. Consistently maintains a well-balanced average patient load equal to the department unit average +_ 0.1. This is based on the average for the year.

b. Notifies supervisor of changes in workload, to adjust assignments as necessary to achieve optimal productivity and efficiency including substituting at inpatient and at the Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Center (ORC) as requested.

c. Sees unscheduled, walk-in patients or STAT patients as needed.

d. Demonstrates time management skills by accomplishing required tasks within the appropriate time frame. Avoids overtime and notifies supervisor in the event it does occur. Flexes time as needed. Delegates appropriate tasks as needed.

1. Safety/Infection Control: Practices according to safety and infection control policies. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) 5%

a. Practices standard precautions and disposes of hazardous wastes per established guidelines.

b. Maintains a safe, clean, comfortable and therapeutic environment for patients/families/employees in accordance with hospital standards.

1. Maintains clutter free environment.

2. Keeps conversations and background noise to a minimum

3. Adheres to dress code.

c. Reports risk management concerns.

d. Assumes responsibility for completing all annual mandatory requirements:

1. Safety/Fire

2. Blood Borne Pathogen

3. Hazardous Communication

4. TB

5. Department Specific

6. Age Appropriate Care (if appropriate)

e. Works in a constant state of alertness and safe manner.

1. Quality Improvement (QI): Incorporates Quality Assessment into one's daily work. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) 5%

a. Documents all components of patient care.

b. Complete appropriate paperwork related to patient care.

DISCLAIMER: Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

Rationale for Essential Functions

1) The performance of this function is the reason the job exists.

2) There are limited employees among whom the performance of this function can be distributed.

3) This function occupies a great deal of the employee's time.

4) This function is highly specialized. Employees are hired for the skill/ability to perform this function.

5) Failure to perform this function may have serious consequences.

6) The function was performed by past employees and is performed by current employees.

7) Exposure to blood borne pathogens that require the use of protective equipment

8) Exposure to tuberculosis that requires the use of protective equipment

Job Specifications

MINIMUM EDUCATION: Associate degree from an accredited Physical Therapy Assistant program.

MINIMUM: Experience preferred but not required

REQUIRED LICENSE/CERTIFICATION: Current Missouri license required or license eligible. Membership in APTA and Missouri Physical Therapy Association (MPTA) preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Must be able to travel to and treat patients in patient rooms, clinics, and gym areas in hospital care and ORC.

• Must be able to work with electrical equipment such as Biodex and modalities.

• May be exposed to hot/cold material and chemical agents (see Material Safety Data Sheets) and sharp tools.

• May be required to wear protective clothing such as masks, gowns, and gloves in addition to adhering to the dress code.

• Regularly exposed to risk of blood borne diseases.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Clinical Staff: Prolonged, extensive or considerable standing/lifting. Lifts, positions, push and/or transfers patients. Considerable reaching stooping bending, kneeling, crouching, lifting, pushing, pulling 100+ pounds

• Clerical: Moderate physical exertion. Long periods of sitting, typing, and/or data entry. May require lifting to 50 pounds

Employee___________________________________________Date____________

Supervisor__________________________________________Date_____________

Department Director__________________________________Date_____________

Administration________________________________________Date_____________

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not to be construed, as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified. An individual working in their job classification must also perform specific tasks upon request by supervisor personnel. Furthermore, the duties and responsibilities for this job classification are subject to change at the discretion of the medical center.

REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

State of Work Location: Missouri

• Physical Therapy Assistant - Missouri Division of Professional Registration

State of Work Location: Illinois, Oklahoma, Wisconsin

• N/A

Work Shift:

Day Shift (United States of America)

Job Type:

Employee

Department:

~~~ Physical Therapy

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

0

SSM Health is an equal opportunity employer. SSM Health does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, veteran status , or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Click here to learn more. (~~~)