Physical Therapist Assistant

Job Description Summary

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) will support physical therapists in the planning and implementation of therapy programs for patients across various settings. Responsibilities include administering therapeutic exercises, activities, and other interventions, modalities, and strategies to improve patients' functional abilities and quality of life. The role requires maintaining accurate documentation, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team, ensuring patient safety and comfort, and demonstrating consistent attendance and reliability. The PTA will also stay current with evidence-based practices and adhere to institutional policies, guidelines, and protocols to provide the highest standard of care.

Entity

Medical University Hospital Authority (MUHA)

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type​

Regular

Cost Center

CC004804 ORBG - Physical Therapy

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

Pay Grade

Health-26

Scheduled Weekly Hours

36

Work Shift

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Patient-Centered Care

• Implement treatment plans as directed by the supervising physical therapist, administering therapeutic exercises, activities, and interventions. Adapt and progress within scope of practice limitations and communicate findings to supervising physical therapists (or other team members) as applicable based on best practices.
• Focus on functional mobility, gait, balance, and gross motor skills.
• Monitor and document patients' progress, communicating status changes to the supervising physical therapist.
• Adjust treatments based on patients' responses and feedback from the physical therapist.

Collaboration and Communication

• Collaborate with physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and other healthcare professionals to ensure holistic patient care.
• Participate in care conferences to discuss patient progress and adjust treatment plans as necessary.
• Effectively communicate with patients, their families, team members, and other partners and stakeholders to foster a collaborative and patient-centered approach to care.

Documentation

• Perform point-of-service documentation where possible. Ultimately, ensure accurate and timely recording of patient progress, treatment interventions, and charges (or comparable information as applicable).
• Maintain patient records in compliance with legal and institutional requirements.

Professional Development and Adherence to Standards

• Engage in continuous learning and professional development to maintain licensure and provide high-quality care.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest research and best practices in physical therapy.
• Follow all institutional policies, guidelines, and protocols related to patient care and safety.
• Maintain compliance with ethical and professional standards in physical therapy.

Customer Experience

• Actively promote an excellent experience for all patients, families, team members, and other partners and stakeholders.

Productivity Standards

• Maintain productivity standards as delineated in departmental key performance indicators (KPIs).

Safety

• Ensure patient safety during therapy sessions, adhering to infection control protocols, and maintaining or supporting a safe environment of care.

Equipment and Assistive Devices

• Instruct patients in the proper use of adaptive equipment and assistive devices to promote independence.

Patient Education

• Educate patients and their families on techniques, exercises, and strategies to support treatment goals outside therapy sessions.

Attendance and Reliability

• Demonstrate consistent attendance and reliability to ensure continuous patient care and departmental efficiency.

Additional Duties

• Perform additional duties as outlined by the manager or director.

Essential Functions

• Implement treatment plans and administer therapeutic exercises, activities, and interventions.
• Monitor and document patients' progress, communicating status changes to the supervising physical therapist.
• Adjust treatments based on patients' responses and feedback from the physical therapist.
• Instruct patients in the proper use of adaptive equipment and assistive devices.
• Educate patients and their families on techniques, exercises, and strategies to support treatment goals.
• Maintain physical therapy equipment and inventory of departmental supplies.
• Provide appropriate and timely documentation and updates for all parties involved (including but not limited to physicians, APPs, therapy team members, patient access team members, fitness team members, sports medicine team members, other care team members, patients, families, supervisors, etc.) and support a safe and secure environment of care.

Qualifications

• Valid licensure as a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) in South Carolina.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and independently.
• Compassion, patience, and empathy when working with patients.
• Knowledge of physical therapy principles and techniques.
• Understanding of relevant laws and regulations governing physical therapy.

Work Environment

• PTAs can work in various settings within the hospital, including inpatient rehab, outpatient, and acute care. The role may involve assisting patients with physical tasks, such as lifting and transferring, as well as activities related to functional mobility, gait, balance, and gross motor skills.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, use hands, reach, stoop, kneel, talk, and hear.
• Must be able to lift or exert energy up to 10 pounds 25% of the time, 25 pounds 50% of the time, and up to 50 pounds 25% of the time.
• Requires close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Age Competencies

• This position interacts with all age groups and provides direct patient care. All staff must demonstrate the knowledge and skill necessary to meet the physical, psycho/social, educational, safety, and related needs of the patients in the assigned work area.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• May supervise PTA students and other students and assist with the orientation of new staff.

Financial Responsibilities

• Bills for services as appropriate.
• May provide feedback or requests as needed for equipment, supplies, etc.

Mental Requirements

• Ability to read and interpret business or safety manuals, clinical or technical procedures, or regulations.
• Ability to write reports, correspondence, and manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups, patients, families, other employees, and medical staff.
• Basic math skills (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division).
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to deal with problems involving concrete variables and standardized situations.

Additional Job Description

Education: Graduation from an accredited Physical Therapist Assistant program, greater than one year experience as a physical therapy assistant is preferred, and licensure as a Physical Therapy Assistant by the South Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners. Current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or American Red Cross BLS for Healthcare Providers certification is required.

If you like working with energetic enthusiastic individuals, you will enjoy your career with us!

The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need.

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