Job Summary: The Physical Therapy Assistant performs services planned, delegated and is supervised by the Physical Therapist.  Assists patients to prevent disability and aims toward the promotion of maximal patient and caregiver participation and responsibility for recovery program following disease, injury, surgery or loss of a body part.  Provides care according to Physical Therapy Department policies and procedures and the application of treatment techniques in accordance with discipline specific designated practice act.  Is responsible for providing services to patients under physician's orders.  Fosters a constructive and supportive approach to department operations.  Promotes professional and cordial relationships.  Understands economic constraints and practices are designed to conserve resources.  Performs other duties as needed. 

Education and Experience: Associate's Degree in Physical Therapy Assistant from an accredited education program and passed the Physical Therapy Exam approved by the Physical Therapy Board of California.  Minimum one year of recent experience in an acute care or rehabilitation facility preferred.

Knowledge and Skills: Knowledgeable in documentation required by regulatory agencies such as Joint Commission, Medicare/Medi-Cal and Primary Insurance regulations.  Knowledgeable of all available resources. Fluent in written and verbal English.  Ability to speak clearly to gather information, hear on phone and in person.  Ability to independently operate required equipment, assessment tools, copy machine, fax machine, answer telephone, basic computer skills, familiarity with Windows Operating Systems preferred.  Good communication skills with team members, patients and caregivers, physicians and general public.  Cooperates with management and other associates in achieving organizational and department goals.  Consistently demonstrates constructive interpersonal skills with staff, colleagues, patients and other customers (i.e.  Explores differing viewpoints and discusses solutions).   Demonstrates empathy, warmth, responsibility, initiative, tact, objectivity, flexibility and creativity.  Interact professionally and appropriately with others.  Flexible with daily patient schedule, able to do several tasks simultaneously, attention to detail, ability to make favorable impressions, able to problem solve, reason and concentrate.  Follows verbal and/or written instructions with minimum supervision.  Quick thinking.  Accepts and integrates clinical and administrative feedback and guidance.  Ability to calculate, manipulate, interpret and analyze numbers.  Assesses, evaluates, synthesizes accumulated facts and figures to determine the correct action/intervention.  Ability to hear sufficiently for general conversation in person and on the telephone, and identify and distinguish various sounds associated with workplace/patient care; see adequately to read computer screens, medical records, and written documents necessary to the position; discern temperature variances through touch. 

Licensures and Certifications: Current License from the Physical Therapy Board of California. Depending on department hired for, Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association and valid driver’s license will be required.