Job Description:

• 1) Administers physical therapy treatments to patients, working under direction of and as assistant to PHYSICAL THERAPIST : Administers active and passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, and heat, light, sound, water, and electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, ultraviolet, infrared, and hot and cold packs.

• 2) Administers traction to relieve neck and back pain, using intermittent and static traction equipment.

• 3) Instructs, motivates, and assists patients to learn and improve functional activities, such as preambulation, transfer, ambulation, and daily-living activities.

• 4) Observes patients during treatments and compiles and evaluates data on patients' responses to treatments and progress and reports orally or in writing to PHYSICAL THERAPIST.

• 5) Fits patients for, adjusts, and trains patients in use and care of orthopedic braces, prostheses, and supportive devices, such as crutches, canes, walkers, and wheelchairs.

• 6) Confers with members of physical therapy staff and other health team members, individually and in conference, to exchange, discuss, and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, and coordinating treatment programs.

• 7) Gives orientation to new PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANTS and directs and gives instructions to PHYSICAL THERAPY AIDES.

• 8) Performs clerical duties, such as taking inventory, ordering supplies, answering telephone, taking messages, and filling out forms.

• 9) May measure patient's range-of-joint motion, length and girth of body parts, and vital signs to determine effects of specific treatments or to assist PHYSICAL THERAPIST to compile data for patient evaluations.

• 10) May monitor treatments administered by PHYSICAL THERAPY AIDES.