Physiotherapist Assistant

KEY FUNCTION:

Provide organizational support and patient care services to patients under the direction of Physiotherapists. Provide additional service coverage as required to assist Physiotherapists working with patients in other programs.

REPORTING: 

Under the general direction of the Clinical Manager, Orthopaedics/Neurosurgery, and under the supervision of a registered Physiotherapist.

DUTIES: 

1. Assist the Physiotherapist in individual and group treatment programs.
2. Supervise and proceed with patient treatments as directed by the Physiotherapist; provide instruction and assistance to patients.
3. Document patient interventions in the health record as per unit requirements.
4. Prepare equipment for specific and general patient use (e.g. mobility aides, wheelchairs, exercise sheets, and activity of daily living devices) and maintain a working knowledge of the use and availability of such equipment.
5. Assist with patient referrals and/or patient scheduling in accordance with unit practices and under the direction of the Physiotherapist.
6. Maintain a safe environment by caring for equipment and facilities, and by taking remedial action as required (e.g. identify potential hazards and equipment breakdowns, remove hazards, complete maintenance requisition, and notify therapists).
7. Follow service-specific and Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) practices, including monthly workplace inspections.
8. Perform various support services activities, (e.g. ensure cleanliness and tidiness of equipment, environment, supply and storage areas, linen, and maintain inventory of equipment and treatment supplies).
9. Maintain service recipient and non-service recipient statistics in accordance with Management Information Systems (MIS) guidelines and current hospital practice.
10. Assist with the orientation and teaching of new Physiotherapist Assistant (PTA) staff and students.
11. Perform administrative duties, including contacting vendors, answering telephone and taking messages, photocopying, faxing, typing, scheduling, greeting/receiving patients, billing patients/families, and monitoring and ordering office supplies, treatment supplies, and equipment.
12. Educate and promote health, safety and wellness in the work place.
13. Determine and align improvement projects with HSN’s Strategic Plan; monitor and adjust to achieve goal outcomes.
14. Evaluate patient care and satisfaction on an ongoing basis and formulate solutions for improvement.
15. Participate in education and training specific to current, relevant federal and provincial health and safety legislation, standards and guidelines.
16. Represent the department or program on various committees and in meetings as required.
17. Perform other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND TRAINING: 

1. Minimum of a two (2) year Diploma as an Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA) or PTA, from an accredited college.
2. Certification in First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is required.
3. Ministry of Labour “Worker Health and Safety Awareness in 4 Steps” training certificate is required.

EXPERIENCE:

1. Minimum of six (6) months’ experience working as a PTA.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES: 

1. Demonstrated good judgment and problem-solving skills.
2. Demonstrated knowledge of available mobility equipment and its use.
3. Demonstrated ability to instruct and guide patients through recommended treatment programs and use modalities.
4. Demonstrated ability to safely handle and maintain equipment.
5. Demonstrated ability to assess patient’s ability to endure the Physiotherapist treatment.
6. Demonstrated knowledge of patient monitoring alarms.
7. Demonstrated knowledge of incentive spirometry teaching.
8. Demonstrated training, experience or utilization of quality improvement methodology for process improvement.
9. Demonstrated ability to independently identify issues, plan improvements, measure success and continue improvement.
10. Demonstrated excellent computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office software, (e.g. Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook) and patient information systems.
11. Demonstrated superior interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
12. Demonstrated ability to manage routine correspondence, multiple tasks/projects, diversified workload and rapidly changing priorities and challenging deadlines.
13. Demonstrated discretion and maturity when handling confidential information.
14. Demonstrated commitment to the safety of co-workers and patients.

PERSONAL SUITABILITY: 

1. Demonstrated ability to take direction, show initiative, and be self-directed as required.
2. Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development.
3. Demonstrated professionalism in dealing with confidential and sensitive issues.
4. Demonstrated positive work record and excellent attendance record.
5. Ability to meet the physical and sensory demands of the job.
6. Ability to travel between local sites.

Selection Process:  Candidates will be selected for this position on the basis of their skill, ability, experience and qualifications as identified in the resume and completed Application Form submitted. The Hospital reserves the right to conduct a formal interview where required.
 

Health Sciences North is committed to providing accommodations to applicants with disabilities to enable their participation in the recruitment, assessment, selection and hiring stages of employment.

HSN THANKS ALL APPLICANTS.
ONLY THOSE SELECTED FOR INTERVIEWS WILL BE CONTACTED.
WE WILL NOT ACCEPT APPLICATIONS AFTER THE CLOSING DATE AND TIME.