Therapy Aide I

Job description

• JOB SUMMARY
• Assists in patient care and related activities as instructed by the physical therapist, physical therapist assistant, occupational therapist, certified occupational therapist assistant or speech language pathologist.
• Monitors inventory, clinical areas, patient waiting area as assigned to ensure optimal delivery of services.
• Performs clerical functions including but not limited to the following: taking inventory, ordering supplies, photocopying, answering telephone, faxing, scheduling, word processing, database input, voice mail operations, generation of computer reports and filing.
• Clean and organize work area and disinfect equipment after treatment
• Instruct, motivate, safeguard and assist patients practicing exercises and functional activities, under direction of medical staff.
• Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
• Transport patients to and from treatment areas, using wheelchairs or providing standing support.
• Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, and coordinating treatment.
• Maintain equipment and furniture to keep it in good working condition, including performing the assembly and disassembly of equipment and accessories.
• Change linens, such as bed sheets and pillow cases.
• Arrange treatment supplies to keep them in order.
• Assist patients to dress, undress, and put on and remove supportive devices, such as braces, splints, and slings.
• Demonstrates the ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Demonstrates the ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem and alerts the appropriate person.
• ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
• PATIENT / CUSTOMER
• Essential Accountabilities
• Ensures communication and collaboration with supervisors and fellow co-workers to serve patients and other customers to the best of his/her ability.
• Is professional in all actions and appearance
• Ensure compliance with regulatory parameters
• Uses resources wisely – as if they were one’s own.
• Demonstrates understanding and ownership of how his/her role contributes to achieving the success of the Department and the Health System.
• Demonstrates a personal commitment to ensuring a clean and safe working environment.
• Anticipates patients’/customers’ needs and acts accordingly.
• Works to enhance patient satisfaction
• Assist patients and families
• Analyzes problems from the customers’ point of view.
• Honors patient/customer/employee confidentiality.
• Seeks feedback on how to improve performance and offers constructive feedback, as well.
• Applies learning for improved performance.
• Presents self professionally & demonstrates professional behavior during interactions with others
• Strives to understand and value differences in others’ race, nationality, gender, age, background, experience, and style.
• PATIENT/ EMPLOYEE SAFETY ACCOUNTABILITIES
• Patient Care Providers
• Participates in Entity and Department wide initiatives for Patient /Employee safety
• Demonstrates an awareness of patient/ employee safety when carrying out daily responsibilities of their position.
• Validation of annual competencies required for the position
• OPERATIONS
• Essential Accountabilities
• Area Preparation and Maintenance
• Assists therapist with patient care
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensures treatment area is compliant with federal, state and local regulatory standards and requirements, including JCAHO, Department of Health, funding agencies, FDA, HIPAA, HCFA, DPW and others.
• Office Procedures
• QUALIFICATIONS
• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Education
• High School Diploma required
• Associate's Degree preferred
• Work Experience
• 1 year of experience working in similar clinical setting preferred
• Licenses / Certifications
• BLS / CPR for a healthcare provider, per the American Heart Association required