Physical Therapy Assistant - Home Care Services

Located in the heart of Washington, we enjoy open skies, snow-capped mountains, and the lakes and rivers of the high desert. We are the proud home of orchards, farms, and small communities. Confluence Health actively supports the communities we serve and their quality of life through our community support program and through our individual efforts as involved community members.

Full Time Employees of Confluence Health receive a wide range of benefits in addition to compensation.

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts & Health Saving Accounts
• Paid Time Off
• Generous Retirement Plans
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability
• Gym Membership Discount
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program
• Adoption Assistance
• Shift Differential

For more information on our Benefits & Perks, click here!

The physical therapy assistant provides home care services in community based and facility settings. The position is responsible for providing therapy services to patients enrolled in home health and hospice programs following the plan of care established by a physical therapist and under the direction of the patient’s physician with treatment of a patient's condition as it relates to the patient's disabilities, injuries and/or disease process. Quality of care is provided in accordance with state and federal regulations and the mission of Home Care Services.

Position Reports To: Home Care Services Rehab Manager

1. Provides physical therapy services under the supervision of a physical therapist and as prescribed by the physician to include but not limited to: therapeutic exercises/activities, modalities, recommendation of adaptive equipment/orthotics and assistive devices, instructing the patient/family in preventative and rehabilitative home programs, when indicated.
   
   • Implements the plan of care (POC) as established by the physical therapist.
   • Maintains frequency of visits as established on physician’s order or POC.
   • Documents patient status and progression towards achievement of outcomes on each visit in measurable parameters.
   • Asks appropriate questions of patient/caregiver and collects data necessary to monitor patient’s status.
   • Modifies interventions in accordance with patient changes, within the scope of the POC.
   • Reports changes in patient’s status and updates on progression of POC to the supervising physical therapist, case manager or home health/hospice supervisor.
   • Collaborates with physical therapist and patient in ordering equipment necessary for patient safety and optimum function.
2. Coordinates the delivery of physical therapy services with nursing, social work, aide, therapy, and other outside services as needed, which results in effective utilization of resources and timely attainment of achievable rehabilitation and/or palliative care goals. Makes recommendations to and participates in the revision to the plan of care.
   
   • Utilizes appropriate community resources.
   • Recommends and participates in case conferences.
   • Updates other team members of changes in patient status that will impact the plan of care.
   • Identifies the need for and makes recommendations for referrals to other disciplines.
   • Participates in weekly interdisciplinary team meetings and agency meetings as assigned.
3. Records and reports to supervising physical therapist and/or physician, the patient's reaction to treatment, any changes in the patient's condition, suggested changes in the patient's orders and implementation of discharge planning procedures.
4. Maintains documentation of subsequent visits, coordination of care, discharge or transfer planning and other clinical record documentation in the electronic medical record.
5. Instructs other health team members in physical therapy procedures and techniques performed as an adjunct to the regular physical therapy plan of care.
6. Required to maintain current BLS certification.
7. Other Duties as assigned.

Demonstrate Standards of Behavior and adhere to the Code of Conduct in all aspects of job performance at all times.

Required:

• Graduate of an accredited associate degree program as a physical therapy assistant.
• Current WA state license.
• Communication: Functionally able to listen, read, speak and write using English language. Functional hearing and visual acuity sufficient to detect changes in patient conditions and perform assessments. Effective interpersonal skills. Demonstrates ability to work in collaboration with health team members.
• Must possess basic computer/electronic device skills related to Windows and app navigation, mouse and screen usage, keyboarding, email communication and password management.
• Current, valid driver's license and access to an insured vehicle with the minimum coverage by law.

Desired:

• Two (2) years of recent physical therapy assistant experience.
• Previous home care, acute care or skilled nursing experience.

• Walking – C
• Sitting/Standing - F
• Reaching: Shoulder Height - F
• Reaching: Above shoulder height - F
• Reaching: Below shoulder height - F
• Climbing - Not Specified - O
• Pulling/Pushing: 25 pounds or less - F
• Pulling/Pushing: 25 pounds to 50 pounds - F
• Pulling/Pushing: Over 50 pounds - F
• Lifting: 25 pounds or less - F
• Lifting: 25 pounds to 50 pounds - F
• Lifting: Over 50 pounds - O
• Carrying: 25 pounds or less - F
• Carrying: 25 pounds to 50 pounds - F
• Carrying: Over 50 pounds - O
• Crawling/Kneeling - O
• Bending/Stooping/Crouching - F
• Twisting/Turning - F
• Repetitive Movement - F

• Work is performed primarily in the patient's home environment or a facility. May also work from the office as needed. Involves continuous contact with patients. Interaction is constant with frequent interruptions. Contact involves dealing with ill people. Driving in all seasons of weather.

• FLSA: Non-Exempt
• Hourly/Salary: Hourly

• Unprotected Heights –No
• Heat – Yes
• Cold – Yes
• Mechanical Hazards – Yes
• Hazardous Substances – Yes
• Blood Borne Pathogens Exposure Potential – Yes
• Lighting – Yes
• Noise – No
• Ionizing/Non-Ionizing Radiation – No
• Infectious Diseases – Yes