Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant

Description JOB SUMMARY

The Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant is responsible for the provision of direct and indirect physical therapy services to the children and young adults residing at St. Mary’s Home and the Albero House. The LPTA shall work under the direction and supervision of a Physical Therapist as per professional guidelines. Must work assigned evenings, weekends, and holidays. Non-therapeutic duties will be assigned.

Definitions

• PT:
• Physical
• Therapy/Therapist
• DSP:
• Direct
• Service
• Professional
• LPTA:
• Licensed
• Physical
• Therapy
• Assistant
• APTA: American Physical Therapy Association

Responsibilities

Direct Care: Assists the Physical Therapist to implement therapy and positioning programs and provides appropriate care for each child on the LPTA’s caseload. Communicates with physical therapist on regular basis regarding status and progress of residents on LPTA’s caseload. The LPTA will function as an active member of the trans-disciplinary team in implementing a comprehensive therapeutic program through direct care and consult with staff regarding residents PT goals and positioning program. Attends and participates in annual and quarterly ISP meetings, IDT meetings, unit meetings, and additional meetings as required. Collects data on residents such as ROM and results of outcome measures. Participates in building wide positioning program for any/all residents as needed. Indirect Care: Participates in orthopedic rounds, physiatry rounds, Botox injection clinics, and wheelchair clinics and provides information for medical personnel as necessary, in communication with PT, and is able to run the various clinics. Completes paperwork and appointment scheduling for clinics as need arises. Is able to run all aspects of PT portion of general orientation and other assigned trainings. Creates presentations for orientation, creates presentations to give to PT department and other staff, and creates various flyers, handouts and other materials for educational and informational purposes. Communicates (in person, by email, and over the phone) with parents and guardians of residents on a regular basis. Maintains and updates therapy equipment and distributes as necessary. Provides staff in-servicing, i.e., lifting, positioning, active treatment, etc. on 1-on-1/or group basis. Supports DSPs with active treatment for residents. Documents therapy services per St. Mary’s guidelines (per APTA and Medicaid). Participates in maintaining a clean, orderly, and safe PT department space. Uses universal precautions and participates in infection control building wide. Supervises PT Technicians and volunteers according to APTA guidelines. Participates in student affiliations for PTA and PT students. Supervises students as recommended by APTA and affiliating schools’ guidelines. Performs other related duties as assigned. These may include, but are not limited to, clerical and housekeeping duties.