Physical Therapy Assistant

Where You’ll Work

CHI St. Alexius Health Turtle Lake is a 25 bed critical access hospital with a Level V Emergency Department that is available 24 hours a day. Our hospital has been committed to providing patients quality medical treatment in the Turtle Lake area and surrounding communities since 1952. Through the years, the hospital has sought to continually upgrade the quality and numbers of services it provides. The hospital's affiliation with major medical centers and health care agencies has allowed it to expand its health care services through a network that begins at the local level. CHI St. Alexius Health Turtle Lake is equipped with 2 emergency rooms, on-site lab, radiology, CT and physical therapy services. Our patients have access to 24/7 emergency care, swing-bed programs, and acute care services.

Job Summary and Responsibilities

 The Physical Therapy Assistant provides medically appropriate physical therapy services under the supervision of the Staff Physical Therapist to help patients reach their maximum functional performance. 

•  Demonstrates good skill and accuracy in and progressing rehabilitation programs and designing/ communicating home programs under the supervision and direction of a physical therapist.
•   Is good at welcoming customers warmly and demonstrates genuine concern for them.  Demonstrates compassion for and an understanding of clients and their families. Gives good verbal and non-verbal feedback and encouragement to clients.  Works well with customers who have difficult personalities, behaviors and/ or diagnoses (“the problem patient”).  Absence of complaints from patients or families.
•  Uses time effectively and efficiently.  Uses support personnel to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.  During periods of heavy workloads, demonstrates the ability and willingness to handle increased caseloads by improving personal efficiency.  Organizes and plans work activities and personal schedule at the earliest reasonable time.  Completes projects and team duties on time and is prepared for and attends meetings on time.
•  Demonstrates willingness and ability to come in early, stay late and/or work outside of regularly scheduled hours as caseloads demands, and takes the initiative to do so.  Willingly teaches in-service classes when asked to do so.  Offers and assists coworkers with their work when requested to assist or when there is down time.
•   Patient progress notes, discharge planning forms and treatment instruction to therapist are timely, complete, accurate and easy to follow.  Documentation on patients contains all key elements of care including assessment, treatment instruction and education provided.  Patient charges are done on time and accurately reflect the time spent and services provided to the patients.  Charges effectively for supplies and equipment provided, as evidenced by absence of or few lost charges.
•  Develops and maintains good relationships with colleagues, support staff, other departments and medical providers as evidenced by observed behaviors and absence of complaints.  Demonstrates positivity in the workplace with little focus on complaining and greater focus on solving problems.  Effectively handles conflicts with others if and when they occur.  Consistently demonstrates a positive attitude and positive behaviors in the workplace.

Job Requirements

Education:  Graduate of an approved or credentialed Physical Therapy Assistant Program.

Licensure:   Licensed or license eligible in the State of North Dakota if applicable to degree and field.

Skills:  Ability to complete all duties required of a PTA including charting and documentation.