Physical Therapist Assistant - Home Health

For over 45 years Pathways has been a Bay Area pioneer, leader, and innovator in Hospice, Home Health and Palliative Care. We provide care at home or in settings such as assisted living, a nursing home, or the hospital. We have offices in Sunnyvale, South San Francisco, and Oakland. Patients and their families know us for our personalized, high-quality care, delivered with empathy, kindness, and respect.

TITLE: Home Health Physical Therapist Assistant
OFFICE LOCATION: South San Francisco
PATIENT TERRITORY: San Francisco County and a portion of San Mateo County
SCHEDULE: 32 Hours
SHIFT: Days

The posted compensation range of $36.10 - $51.47/Hour is a reasonable estimate that extends from the lowest to the highest pay Pathways Home Health & Hospice in good faith believes it might pay for this particular job, based on the circumstances at the time of posting. Pathways Home Health & Hospice may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range as permitted by law.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Physical therapy goals are to restore function, to prevent or minimize disability following disease or injury and to help the client reach his/her maximum function within the limits of his/her capabilities.  The Physical Therapist Assistant performs services planned, delegated, and supervised by the Physical Therapist.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY: 

• Administers treatment programs as communicated in writing by the supervising Physical Therapist and reports on treatment effectiveness and equipment in accordance with physician’s orders

  • Provides and documents skilled care/interventions on all visits (includes skilled observation of the patient's condition, skilled care, medical procedures performed and teaching of the patient and/or family).
    • Considers patient’s own needs and goals, conditions and environment and coordinates with ancillary services when implementing treatment goals.
    • Implements a treatment program to improve or restore function, to relieve pain, and to encourage maximum function and safety through environmental adaptation based on identification of needs and customary clinical practice standards.
    • Instructs patient and/or family/caregiver in home programs to be continued in the therapist’s absence.
  • Records and reports patient’s reaction to treatment and/or changes in the patient’s condition to the supervising Physical Therapist, the Clinical Team Manager, the patient’s physician and other disciplines involved in the case.
  • Confers on a regular schedule with other health team personnel to facilitate coordinated care.
  • Reports to supervising physical therapist if  any change in a patient’s treatment plan is indicated due to a change in medical condition, unexpected reactions to treatment, or any reason that the patient needs to be re-evaluated by the supervising Physical Therapist.  Documents this communication.
  • Participates in case conference with the supervising Physical Therapist or provides the supervising Physical Therapist with documentation on all patients every seven days, or more often if needed.
  • Under the direction of the supervising Physical Therapist, obtains and receives physician orders.
  • Participates in regularly scheduled review of all patient cases no less often than every 30 days.
  • Submits weekly visit schedule of assigned patients. Collaborates with the supervising Physical Therapist to address scheduling needs.
  • Follows established standards for point for service technology, documentation and synchronization.
  • Uses agency provided telecommunication devices (i.e. cell phone, voice mail and pager) according to established guidelines.
  • Submits all documentation according to agency requirements.
  • Meets established productivity standards.
  • Attends and actively participates in the clinical team multidisciplinary patient conference. When attendance is not possible, provides appropriate input on assigned patients.
  • Attends discipline specific staff meetings.
  • Demonstrates and consistently utilizes established clinical competencies.
  • Seeks out and maintains skills and knowledge relevant to rehabilitation in the home care setting.
  • Participates in agency sponsored in-service educational programs.
  • Participates in quality improvement activities.
  • Assists in development of agency protocols, procedures and policies as requested.
  • Assesses, develops, organizes and delivers teaching materials for assigned home care patients as appropriate.
  • Performs other duties as assigned consistent with skills and training to support the  mission and goals of Pathways.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Graduate from a physical therapy assistant curriculum approved by the Council on Medical Education of the American Medical Association in collaboration with the American Physical Therapy Association.
• Current California Physical Therapy Assistant license. 
• Minimum 2 years experience as a Physical Therapist Assistant.  Prefer experience and interest in gerontology and home care.
• Current California driver’s license and automobile insurance.
• Current CPR Certificate.
• Demonstrates willingness and ability to work with electronic input and telecommunication devices.