Physical Therapist Assistant

St. Luke's Health - Memorial Hospital in Lufkin, TX, paves the way for quality innovative health care in East Texas. With hospitals in Lufkin, Livingston, and San Augustine, St. Luke’s Health provides more than a quarter of a million patient services each year. Our facility is a collaboration between St. Luke’s Health and a team of specialized physicians focused on General and Interventional Cardiology, Sports Medicine, and Orthopedics, including Total Joint Replacement and Spine Care.

CommonSpirit Health was formed by the alignment of Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) and Dignity Health. With more than 700 care sites across the U.S. & from clinics and hospitals to home-based care and virtual care services CommonSpirit is accessible to nearly one out of every four U.S. residents. Our world needs compassion like never before. Our communities need caring and our families need protection. With our combined resources CommonSpirit is committed to building healthy communities advocating for those who are poor and vulnerable and innovating how and where healing can happen both inside our hospitals and out in the community.

We offer the following benefits to support you and your family:

• Health/Dental/Vision Insurance
• Flexible spending accounts
• Paid Time Off (PTO) 
• Tuition Assistance for career growth and development
• Matching Retirement Programs 
• Wellness Programs

Under the direction of Director of Rehabilitation Services and Physical Therapist, the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) assists in providing physical therapy services including but not limited to screening, educating, and providing therapeutic intervention for patients identified with disabilities that interfere with their ability to perform daily life activities. Assist PT in development of individualized programs and exercises judgment and decision making within the limitations and scope of practice. Displays professional, safe conduct in all interactions. Maintains positive working relationships with staff, other departments, physicians and peers. Displays conduct in support of CHI St. Luke’s Health Memorial Mission & Vision.

Position Responsibilities:

1. Plans and implements physical therapy treatment programs according to physician referral, and/or plan of care. Designs programs to meet the patient’s physical, psychological, and age specific needs. Performs tests, and measurements of functional status, neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, cognitive/perceptual, and sensory /psychological functions.
2. Works collaboratively with all members of the interdisciplinary team, other departments and disciplines to assure patients and customer’s needs are met in a timely manner; encourages the active participation of the patient and/or family in goal setting and patient/family training/education.
3. Completes all necessary documentation as outlined by departmental policy and documentation review. This includes, but is not limited to, patient care charting, charge entry, completing peer chart and peer reviews, and documenting on daily schedule.
4. Coordinates care of patients with other departmental and hospital activities in a manner that fosters a positive professional image consistent with the departmental and hospital goals and mission statement. This includes, but is not limited to, discharge planning, participation in care conferences, interdisciplinary rounds, collaborative practice groups, the student program and community endeavors.
5. Assigns, supervises and reviews the care of patients and duties of the therapy technician.
6. Promotes and supports positive and professional customer service, while interacting with clients, guests and hospital personnel. Works collaboratively with all members of the interdisciplinary team, other departments and disciplines to assure patients and customer’s needs are met in a timely manner. Encourages the active participation of the patient and/or family in goal setting and patient/family training/education.
7. Provides positive and constructive feedback to enhance departmental operations. 
8. Utilizes available information management systems to support departmental and hospital goals. This includes utilization of hospital wide e-mail, information announcements, policies, education, charge entry, and accessing patient care related information. Access and use of information will meet hospital and information management guidelines.
9. Demonstrates tact and professionalism in working and communicating with patients/families, physicians, other members of the rehabilitation team, and other employees of the healthcare system.
10. As a member of the Rehabilitation Services Team, ensures that the patient/family is satisfied with the rehabilitation services provided any that any issue that arises is addressed and resolved promptly. 

Education Required

Associate's degree - Physical Therapy

Licensure/Certification Required

Current Texas State Licensure (PTA) (PTOT)- issued by Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners – PTA (ECPTOTE)

BLS certification (through an approved AHA program).

Preferred

Member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and the Texas Physical Therapy Association (TPTA)

Work Experience Required

None

Preferred

2-3 years of professional experience as PTA