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Entry Level Work HE-08 6.314 Full Performance Work HE-10 6.315 Function and Location This position works in the physical therapy department of a hospital, clinic or long term care facility and is responsible for implementing physical therapy care plans developed by a licensed Physical Therapist. The position may be required to work on shifts, including evenings, and weekends and holidays. Key Duties and Responsibilities 1. Administer physical therapy treatment procedures and use therapy techniques
within a designed treatment plan to meet the special needs of the patient. a. Administer active (patient assists you in movements) and passive (all
movements done for patient) manual therapeutic exercises and gross motor activities including range of motion and positioning exercises to patients with relatively stable or unstable conditions.
b. Administer physical therapy procedures, which may include therapeutic
ambulation, exercises, therapeutic massage and modalities. c. Adjust, train in use of, and care for braces, prostheses, ambulation aids,
wheelchairs, and other supportive devices. Apply diverse types of orthotic and prosthetic devices to patients.
d. Instruct, motivate and assist patients, family members and/or caregivers in
learning and improving patients functional activities such as preambulation, transfer, ambulation and activities of daily living.
- Select and modify treatment techniques based on educated judgment and a good
knowledge of the established treatment plan. Implement revisions to the treatment plan with the approval of the Physical Therapist.
- Observe patients during treatments; compile and evaluate data, treatment
response, and progress of patient, and record effectiveness of treatment. 4. Participate with the Physical Therapist in developing treatment goals and
objectives for individual patients.
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- Protect the safety and welfare of the patient under treatment. 6. Make oral and written reports of activities to the supervising therapist. Other Duties In addition to the key duties and responsibilities, this position may be assigned to: Act as an assistant to the Physical Therapist when the Physical Therapist is
performing tests, evaluations, and difficult treatment procedures; instruct, on an informal basis, other patient care staff working with the patient in correct positioning, range of motion exercises, body alignment and posture, ambulation, proper body mechanics in lifting and in other physical therapy practices; assist in the maintenance of physical therapy equipment; maintain a clean and safe physical environment; answer the telephone and take messages; keep accurate tally and tabulate all statistical data of physical therapy treatments; document and note progress in appropriate record; transport patients; take inventory; order supplies; assist the Physical Therapist in estimating equipment needs and equipment acquisitions; perform other clerical tasks; and perform other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge and Abilities used in Performing Key Duties at the Full Performance Level Demonstrated proficiency in the application of all of the knowledge and abilities, specified below for the Full Performance level, in providing the full range of services to the clientele of the work site, independently. Knowledge of the policies, procedures and work rules of the work site. Controls Exercised over the Work A Physical Therapist provides supervision to the position. Instructions Provided: Entry level employees are provided specific and detailed
instructions; full performance employees are provided general instructions, and specific instructions in new and unusual situations.
Assistance Provided: Entry level employees are provided close guidance in
performing tasks; full performance employees perform work independently, receiving specific guidance only in new and unusual situations.
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Review of Work: Entry level employees receive close and frequent review of work performed; the work of full performance employees is reviewed periodically.
Prerequisite Qualifications Required for the Entry Level Education and Essential Knowledge and Abilities: Graduation from an
accredited physical therapist assistant program or an accredited physical therapy program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, its predecessor organization, or its successor organization, which demonstrated knowledge of human anatomy; physiology; kinesiology; thermal agents; therapeutic exercise; traction; therapeutic massage; aquatic physical therapy; uses of various modalities; neuropathology; electrotherapy; universal handwashing procedures; and the ability to read, write, speak, understand and communicate effectively with others in English; safely manage patients in treatment activities, and stimulate, motivate, guide and teach patients to perform required movements and recognize their individual limitations; apply various modalities and thermal agents, traction, therapeutic massage, therapeutic exercise, aquatic physical therapy and electrotherapy; lift and transfer paralyzed and partially paralyzed patients to and from wheelchairs, exercise tables, beds, etc.; deal with a variety of patients and others and adjust to continuously changing situations; keep records and tabulate statistics; maintain equipment, supplies and the physical environment in an acceptable manner; and learn various specialized procedures and use of equipment peculiar to given patients or a particular program of service or facility.
License Required: License to practice as a Physical Therapist Assistant in the State of Hawaii. Certification Required: Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Workers must be obtained within six (6) months of employment. Physical Requirements All employees must be physically able to perform the essential duties of the position. The general types of physical abilities involved, and examples of the tasks requiring these abilities, follows:
Sensory: Read patient's charts; observe patient; hear the conversational voice.
Coordination and Dexterity: Take patient's vital signs; manipulative skills.
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Strength and Stamina: Push and pull, lift and transfer patients.
Mobility: Transport patients; demonstrate exercises to patient which include rolling, kneeling, twisting and bending.
Other: Work with a variety of cleaning chemicals.
(These requirements are supplemented by the Physical Requirements Specifications, for Nurse Aide classes.)
Prerequisite Qualifications Required for the Full Performance Level In addition to the qualifications required at the entry level: Experience and Essential Knowledge and Abilities: One (1) year of work
experience as a physical therapy assistant which involved the performance of physical therapy work and related duties under the direction of a Physical Therapist. Such work experience must have demonstrated the implementation of physical therapy care plans developed by a Physical Therapist, care and use of equipment, providing instruction in physical therapy procedures to patients and others; demonstrated knowledge of applicable hospital/facility/program policies and procedures; and the ability to assist in evaluative tests, use specialized physical therapy procedures, select and modify treatment techniques upon approval of the Physical Therapist, and participate with the Physical Therapist in developing the patient's treatment goals and objectives.
Substitutions Allowed: Completion of all requirements for a baccalaureate degree in physical therapy from a school of physical therapy approved at the time of their graduation, by an agency recognized by either the United States Department of Education or the Council on Post-Secondary Accreditation; or in the case of a foreign- trained person, a credentials evaluation agency recognized by the appropriate licensing agency of the State of Hawaii, indicating completion of an education program that has been determined to be equivalent to entry level Physical Therapist education in the United States, may be substituted for all of the education and work experience required for the entry and full performance level. Desirable Qualifications: Patience; neatness; reliability; resourcefulness; and punctuality.
