Physical Therapist Assistant I FT Days

This is a position in one of our Health Club Sites and is supported by a large organization
This is an Orthopedic Based Clinic seeing all types of orthopedic injuries

DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan is one of the nation’s largest hospitals specializing in rehabilitation medicine and research. RIM is known for its clinical expertise in spinal cord injury, brain injury, stroke, amputee, orthopedics and catastrophic injury care. The Institute houses the Center for Spinal Cord Injury Recovery and the Southeastern Michigan Traumatic Brain Injury System (SEMTBIS), one of only 16 federally designated model systems of care for brain injury care and research. RIM also operates 31 outpatient sites throughout southeast Michigan specializing in sports medicine and orthopedics.

Job Description:

Under general supervision of a Physical Therapist, provides direct patient care using standard physical therapy procedures.

• Instructs patients and family, oversees students, and volunteers, and participates in program development and education activities.
• Assists Physical Therapist in patient evaluation, and assesses functional skills of patients.
• Provides individual patient treatment including therapeutic exercise, gait training, mat mobility, transfers.
• Performs prosthetic training, administers modality treatments, and measures and recommends equipment such as wheelchairs, orthoses, assistive devises and wheelchair cushions.
• Instructs patients and family members, transfers, gait training, and home exercise programs. Participates in chart rounds, admission and discharge conferences, family conferences and team development conferences.
• Maintains records such as initial, interim and discharge documentation, home care program, and equipment orders and prescriptions.
• Prepares special reports, as requested. Receives formal supervision from a Physical Therapist to ensure all patient documentation is reviews and co-signed.
• Attends and contributes to organizational and program development team and departmental meetings.
• Supervises, instructs and evaluates students, and volunteers.
• Maintains current knowledge of physical therapy theory and techniques through reading, attendance at meetings and seminars, and involvement in professional organizations.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Associate’s degree in Physical Therapy with coursework in anatomy, biology, physiology and psychology to gain knowledge of physical therapy treatments and techniques.
2. One year of experience in a clinical setting preferred.
3. Current license to practice as a PTA in the state of Michigan.

Skills Required

1. Oral and written communication skills adequate for therapeutic and professional interaction.
2. Basic knowledge and skill in common Physical Therapy practices and procedures.
3. Visual acuity to observe patient response to treatment (i.e.) sweat, express, dilation of pupils); ability to determine fine discriminate detail to read equipment gauges and on-line computer; manual dexterity to operate equipment.
4. Sensory ability to distinguish hot and cold during patient treatments.