Physical Therapist Assistant

Where You’ll Work

Mercy Hospital is an 82 bed, acute care hospital located in the scenic southwestern Colorado town of Durango. It is the only hospital in Colorado to be rated by Medicare with five stars for overall hospital quality. It is recognized for excellence in orthopedic and spine surgery and for outstanding patient experience and patient safety. Mercy has also received ten consecutive 'A' grades for patient safety from The Leapfrog Group. Our providers use state-of-the-art technology in an environment designed to promote wellbeing and healing of body, mind, and spirit. Among the many specialty services available at Mercy are emergency care (Level III trauma designation), surgical care, cardiac care (including interventional), Orthopedic and Spine Centers of Excellence, a Family Birthing Center, home care, hospice care and more. Durango offers an exceptional quality of life with small town charm, excellent schools, and year-round, world-class outdoor recreation opportunities including snow sports, river sports, hiking, biking, camping and more.

Job Summary and Responsibilities

As our inpatient acute Physical Therapist Assistant, you will provide a continuum of treatment for patients with neuromuscular, orthopedic, and other physically-related disorders, working under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist. Every day, you will deliver care requiring strengthening exercises, modalities, manual therapy, neuromuscular re-education, and training in activities of daily living. You will utilize the rehabilitation process to promote and restore the optimal health and well-being of each patient. Additionally, you will participate in professional responsibilities including documentation, program development, teaching, and continuous enhancement of your clinical skills. To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate a strong commitment to patient care and meticulous adherence to the physical therapist's plan of care. Your ability to effectively implement various therapeutic interventions, document progress, and continuously develop professionally will be crucial in helping patients achieve their rehabilitation goals.

• Carries out program of corrective treatments for assigned patients, as determined by evaluating physical therapist and under the indirect supervision of a physical therapist.
• Implements therapy activities using measurable goals and time frames under the direction of a physical therapist.
• Performs a variety of therapeutic interventions including, but not limited to, ADL retraining; patient education in home safety; adaptive equipment and compensation techniques; coordination, strengthening and therapeutic exercise programs, manual therapy, therapeutic activities, aquatic therapy and neuromuscular reeducation per patient needs.
• Initiates and follows through on communication with supervising physical therapist regarding patient status, need for reevaluation and/or modification of treatment plan, goals, and patient training/education.
• Documents per department and Health Information Management guidelines/policy using correct grammar, spelling, abbreviations, and medical terminology.
• Communicates effectively to all patients, families, superiors, staff, physicians, and other customers concerning physical medicine and rehabilitation services by direct verbal and/or written communication respecting confidentiality at all times.

Job Requirements

Required

• Associate's Degree in Physical Therapy
• Physical Therapy Assistant licensure
• Basic Life Support from the American Heart Association
• Valid Driver's License for positions within home health only

Preferred

• Previous work experience providing direct patient care in outpatient, inpatient or inpatient rehab unit
• Ability to perform basic treatments of orthopedic, neurological and medical patients
• Prior use of electronic medical records (EMR)