Certified Physical Therapy Assistant

Job Description

Title: Certified Physical Therapy Assistant

Location: 2520 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Hours: Full-Time M-F, 40 Hours/Week - Shifts vary from 7AM-6PM

Work Environment: On Site

About Us

Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan (OAM) is proud to be West Michigan’s most established orthopaedic practice. Our physicians and team members provide exceptional, individualized care for patients of all ages. As the most comprehensive independent provider of musculoskeletal care in the region, we provide total care from diagnosis, to treatment, to rehabilitation.

As a patient at OAM, you will have access to our Specialized Surgeons, Physical and Occupational Therapists, Pool Therapy, onsite and cost effective MRI and X-ray services, and orthopaedic bracing, as well as our Bone Health Clinic, OAM Now Urgent Orthopaedic Care Clinic, and Surgery Center at MidTowne – all of which are committed to optimizing your outcome. 

Our teams work together to maximize and adjust your treatment quickly and easily, resulting in a smoother, faster recovery for you. From your neck to your toes, and from traumatic injuries to chronic conditions, you’ll receive compassionate care that will get you back to living. Your goal is our goal – we will restore your health so you are functioning as fully as possible in the activities you love at home, work, and play.

Position Summary

As a Certified Physical Therapy Assistant at Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan, you will provide preventative, preoperative, and postoperative care to patients of all ages who are experiencing varying degrees of pain and injury to the musculoskeletal system. You will aide in their rehabilitation by following their individualized plans of care created by the Physical Therapists. This includes educating the patients on their treatments, ensuring they are following through with their plan, and acting as a liaison between them and the Physical Therapists. The Physical Therapy Assistant will help ensure that every patient at OAM is provided with empathetic and outstanding care, centering on the ultimate goal of rehabilitating them so that they are able to lead active lives and go about their day to day tasks without pain.

Essential Responsibilities

• Assist in providing physical therapy services to patients based on the Physical Therapists’ treatment plans. 
  1. Collaborate with the Physical Therapists, patients, family members, and other team members to ensure the treatment plan is successful.
  2. Participate in patient, family, and staff education regarding the treatment plans.
  3. Identify equipment needs and instruct patients, families, and appropriate team members regarding safe use and care of equipment.
  4. Conduct screening of patients at regular intervals to determine if there is a need for additional treatment, intervention, and/or modifications.
  5. Monitor patient responses to modifications and report any concerns to the Physical Therapists.
  6. Interpret and communicate findings to patients, families, and other team members.
  7. Develop appropriate home or community programming to maintain and enhance the performance of patients in their own environments.
• Demonstrate behaviors which foster effective professional and therapeutic relationships with patients, families, and team members.
• Document results of patient assessments, treatments, follow-ups, and terminations of services. 
• Complete daily/weekly progress notes and patient reassessments. Note any changes in functional and physical statuses, goals, successes, etc. as they relate to treatment plans. 
• Record billable treatment times in accordance with clinical procedures.
• Practice in accordance with Physical Therapy and OAM guidelines.
• Maintain patient confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA rules and regulations.
• Maintain updated methodology, tools, and manuals as necessary.
• Comply with all Infection Control, Universal Precautions, and OSHA standards. 
• Manage clinical care in order to achieve the Quality Index Minimal Productivity Standards (QIMPS).

Required & Preferred Qualifications

Education, Training, and Experience:

• Required:
  1. Associate’s Degree in Physical Therapy.
  2. Up-to-date State of Michigan Physical Therapy Assistant license.
• Preferred:
  1. 1+ years of experience in an Orthopaedic Physical Therapy setting.

Specific Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

• Patient focused mindset and compassionate approach.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Understanding of CMS and other regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge of current literature and education related to Physical Therapy.
• Strong prioritization and time management skills.
• Knowledge of applicable technology and computer software.

Motor, Sensory, and Physical Requirements:

• Ability to assist patients of all ages with standing and movement.
• Ability to stand and/or sit for long periods of time.
• Manual dexterity required to operate modern exercise and office equipment.
• Normal or correctible range of hearing and eyesight.
• Frequent bending, stooping, lifting and reaching required.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.