Empowering Home Health PTA — Elderly Mobility

Services of the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) will be furnished under the supervision of a physical therapist. The PTA performs services planned, assigned, delegated, and supervised by the physical therapist and functions as an active member of the home health team, providing services in accordance with the physician’s orders and shall not exceed any of the duties authorized by the license issued by the State for the practice of physical therapist assistant.

The PTA reports to the Director of Nursing/PT Supervisor and Administrator.

• Is licensed by the Florida Physical Therapist Licensing Board to practice as a Physical Therapy Assistant.
• Recommended minimum of one year of experience in an acute care facility.

• Must have a genuine interest and concern for all clients, with a special desire to work with the elderly.
• Must be sufficiently mature and emotionally stable to work well with others.
• Must possess good physical and mental health.
• Must have a clean and neat appearance.
• Must be courteous and kind in manner.
• Can work harmoniously and skillfully with other staff members, patients, and their families.
• Must be flexible and able to tolerate change or changing demands.
• Ability to promote the practice of physical therapy to physicians, community, patients, and their families, including the ability to verbally articulate and define physical therapy terminology.

The Physical Therapist Assistant travels to and from, and performs duties in each patient’s home. The climate is not routinely controlled. Occasionally, there may be exposure to blood, body tissues, and other potentially infectious fluids. There can be exposure to loud and unpleasant noises, unpleasant odors, unclean homes, and dust. The work environment is not controlled by the employee, and road and weather conditions are variable.

• Able to speak, read, and write English.
• Able to read assignments and follow directions.
• Able to communicate and respond clearly on the telephone and respond to patients’ spoken needs.
• The ability to physically transfer, lift, or assist patients whose average weight is 160 pounds, with or without the aid of mechanical devices.
• Able to spend 80% of the work shift standing and/or moving about.
• Able to walk, climb stairs, stoop, twist, bend, and squat to perform essential job functions.

This job classification has a potential risk for occupational exposure to blood and other potential infections and body fluids. Protective equipment will be provided by our agency to limit the exposure and will promote self-protection practices in the delivery of home health care, to provide appropriate treatment to home health care workers in the event of an exposure incident, and to promote compliance with universal precautions.

• Able to concentrate on detail with frequent interruptions.
• Able to follow, complete, and remember daily routines and requirements.
• Able to comprehend and utilize professional education materials.
• Able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.