Physical Therapy Assistant - Bilingual (English/Spanish) Preferred
Kern Medical
Summary
The Physical Therapy Assistant provides direct patient care and corrective exercise programs under the supervision of a Registered Physical Therapist. They are responsible for administering treatments, monitoring patient progress, and maintaining accurate clinical documentation.
Job description
Essential Functions
- Performs a program of corrective exercise and treatment for assigned patients under the direction of a Physical Therapist who has assessed and evaluated the patient. Monitors patients performing therapeutic exercise.
- Administers treatments such as exercise, gait training, massage, whirlpool, hot packs, diathermy, ultrasound, paraffin, ice packs and traction under supervision of the Physical Therapist.
- Observes patients undergoing treatment and reports unusual occurrences and physical condition of the patients to the Physical Therapist.
- Maintains appropriate communication with supervisor, physical therapy staff, patients and other hospital personnel.
- Follows appropriate documentation procedures and established guidelines to record information and maintain records of services provided.
- Participates in professional development through continuing education and in service training; monitors quality management issues.
- Maintains treatment areas and equipment in proper working order.
- Dependent upon area of practice or department assignments, demonstrates clinical knowledge and skill in the care of the newborn, infant, toddler, child, adolescent, adult and geriatric patient ranging up to 100+ years of age.
Additional Duties
- Assists in scheduling physical therapy services and coordinating physical therapy with other types of services provided.
- Assists in the performing tests and evaluations to establish treatment goals and chart patient progress.
- Assists in explaining orthopedic recommendations and their benefits; provides instructions to patients and the relatives.
- Performs other job related duties as required.
Knowledge of
- Principles and methods of physical therapy and the roles of the Physical Therapist and the Physical Therapy Assistant.
- Objectives of physical therapy treatment.
- Human anatomy and physiology.
- Various types of physical therapy treatments and procedures.
- Operation and care of various types of physical therapy equipment.
Ability to
- Use and care for orthopedic appliances and special equipment.
- Explain, teach and administer physical therapy treatments and procedures.
- Keep records of case histories and prepare reports.
- Communicate effectively with patients and staff.
Requirements
- Graduation from an accredited Physical Therapy Assistant program and/or approved by the Physical Therapy Examining Committee of the state Board of Medical Quality Assurance
- Current licensure to practice as a Physical Therapy Assistant in California
- Applicants who have successfully completed an accredited program and/or who have applied but have not yet taken the exam for licensure shall be identified as 'license applicant' and must pass the Physical Therapy Assistant examination during their probationary period
- Appointees not possessing the American Heart Association Responder or Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) card at time of hire must successfully complete appropriate training and qualify for the RQI Responder certification within 30 days of employment
- Employees must maintain all health requirements designated by Kern Medical
- Other unit specific certification may be required
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred
Benefits
- New Hire Premium
- Deferred Compensation Plan
- Holidays
- Paid Time Off
- Retirement
- Medical Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
Company overview
Kern Medical is a leading Central Valley healthcare organization that has been serving Kern County, California since 1867. As a 222-bed acute care teaching hospital and comprehensive healthcare system, it operates as a public hospital authority providing essential medical services to the community. Kern Medical serves as the region's only Level II Trauma Center and academic teaching institution, offering specialized tertiary referral services unavailable elsewhere in the area. The organization maintains affiliations with UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine and trains over 200 residents, fellows, and medical students annually across multiple specialties including internal medicine, surgery, family practice, emergency medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, and psychiatry. With more than 1,700 employees, Kern Medical delivers a comprehensive range of inpatient and outpatient services through its hospital and multiple clinic locations, including primary care, specialty clinics, high-risk pregnancy services, inpatient psychiatric care, and advanced surgical procedures utilizing robotic and minimally invasive technologies. As a safety net hospital, Kern Medical remains committed to providing compassionate, high-quality care to all community members regardless of their circumstances.