Physical Therapy Technician

Job Description

Job DescriptionDescription:

The Physical Therapy Technician is a worker who performs physical therapy related duties under the supervision of a Physical Therapist or Physical Therapist Assistant. The Physical Therapist Technician is responsible for helping patients move to different areas in the facility via wheelchair and/or assisting with sitting, standing and transfers. They are also responsible for cleaning treatment areas and performing any set up/take down to relevant equipment for patient treatment for the Physical Therapist/Physical Therapist Assistant. They will also be responsible for obtaining and putting away linens, performing any office or clerical duties such as answering phones and filing that is needed.

Requirements:

Education/Credentials/ License: Must have a high school diploma or a GED. They will receive on-the-job training to prepare them for the role. All new employees will attend CPR training, and must be certified within months of hire.

Compliance: The employee will comply with the Corporate Compliance Policy and all laws, rules, regulations and standards of conduct relating to the position. The employee has a duty to report any suspected violations of the law or the standards of conduct to the Compliance Officer or the Chief Executive Officer.

Job Knowledge and Skills: The Physical Therapist Technician will obtain skills and knowledge during their on-the-job training.

Employment Variables: Work hours may include varied day shifts, weekends, and holidays. The Physical Therapy Technician will encounter patients of all ages and includes inpatient, outpatients, and long term care.

Job Relationships:

1) Supervised by: Physical Therapist Manager

Patient Care: Notify and communicate with the Physical Therapist or Physical Therapist Assistant of any concerns or changes noted with the patient during their encounter.

Maintains Workload: Demonstrates the ability to be flexible/problem solve as roadblocks occur, and the ability to organize a fast paced schedule in multiple areas (LTC, hospital etc.) of the facility. Demonstrates efficiency, organization with task, and uses downtime productively.

Other Departmental Responsibilities: Willingly accepts assignments from department manager in the best interest of the department. Takes an active role in department.

Physical/Mental Requirements

General Activity

In a regular workday, employee may:

Sit .5-1 hours at time, 2 hours during the day

Stand 1-2 hours at time, 2 hours during the day

Walk 1-2 hours at time, 5-6 hours during the day

Motion

Employee is required: In terms of a regular work day, “Never” equals 0%, “Occasionally” equals 1% - 33%, “Frequently” equals 34% - 66%, and “Continuously” equals greater than 67%.

Bend/Stoop - Frequently

Squat - Occasionally

Crawl, Distance - Occasionally

Climb, Height - Occasionally

Reach, Above Shoulder Level - Frequently

Kneel, Duration 30 sec. - Occasionally

Balance - Continuously

Twist - Never

Keyboarding/Mousing - Occasionally

Physical Demand

Employee’s job requires he/she carry and lift loads from the floor, from 12 inches from the floor to shoulder height and overhead. Employee’s job requires pushing/pulling force to move a load (not the weight of the load).

Physical Demand Classification

Carrying/Lifting Weight and Pushing/Pulling Force:

Medium

Occasionally

50 lbs.

Frequency

25 lbs.

Constantly

10 lbs.

Sensory Requirements:

Vision - yes, Must be able to physically and visually monitor patients, i.e. color changes, transfer, and safety equipment operation.

Speech - yes, Need to be able to verbally give instructions/input to patients, co-workers, various health professionals in person and/or via phone. Emergencies may arise that requires immediate verbalization/assistance.

Hearing - yes, Listening to patients/families/co-workers/various health professionals in person or via phone. Hearing emergency “calls” – codes via operator, call system, equipment alarms.

Smell - yes, Need for attention to patient/bowels. Ability to smell smoke/gas/chemicals – patient/employee safety.

Environmental Factors

Working on unprotected heights - yes, elevated mat table

Being around moving machinery - yes, CPM's, traction, carts, wheelchairs, tilt table, hydraulic lifts, exercise equipment

Exposure to marked changes in temperature and humidity - yes, Outings, outdoor therapy

Wearing personal protective equipment - yes, Gowns, gloves, masks, face shields, eye protection

Exposure to dust, flames and gases - yes, Helicopter fumes, dust, building projects

Exposure to extreme noise or vibration - no

Exposure to body fluids and waste - yes, Wounds, sputum, bowel/bladder, body secretions

Exposure to radiation - yes, Oncology implants, nuclear med

Exposure to other hazards - yes, Cleaning chemicals

Emotional/Psychological Factors

Stress - yes, Emergency situations may arise at any times – medically unstable individuals, CPR may need to be initiated. Certain situations arise that need to be handled tactfully, i.e. upset patients, personnel, doctors. A high patient caseload and/or decrease in staff to accommodate the workload. Scheduling difficulties.

Concentration - yes, Several patients/therapists working in area at same time – gym, treatment areas. Various machines/alarms/equipment in patient rooms or in department.

Self-Control - yes, Must be able to handle emergency situations. Must be able to exert self-control when dealing with patients, families, doctors, and staff. Must have professional attitude at all times.