Job Description

Kern Medical has been a community cornerstone since its founding in 1867. Today, we are an acute care teaching center with 222 beds, offering the only advanced trauma care between Fresno and Los Angeles. Kern Medical offers a range of primary, specialty, and multi-specialty services including high-risk pregnancy care, inpatient psychiatric services integrated with county mental health programs, and a growing network of outpatient clinics providing personalized patient-centered wellness care. Kern Medical cares for 15,500 inpatients and 125,000 clinic patients a year.

Career Opportunities within Kern Medical include many benefits such as:

• New Hire Premium: +6% of base rate of pay, matched up to 6% if contributed to Deferred Compensation Plan.
• A Comprehensive Benefits Package: includes Holidays, Paid Time Off, Retirement, Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance.

Position: Physical Therapy Assistant

Compensation

The estimated pay for this position is $39.1227 to $52.5777 per hour. The rates shown include a 6% premium pay (base= $-$ plus 6%). This reflects only a portion of the total compensation package for this position. Additional compensation may be available for this role through differentials, incentives, and bonuses. In addition, this position may be eligible for participation and company contributions into the Kern County Employees’ Retirement Plan.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

The classification of Physical Therapy Assistant is licensed by the State of California and provides direct patient care activities under the direction and supervision of a Registered Physical Therapist. Physical Therapy Assistant is distinguished from the classification of Physical Therapist by the latter's responsibility to independently evaluate, plan and implement physical rehabilitation treatment programs requested by a physician and from the Physical Therapy Aide by the latter's limitations regarding the provision of direct patient care activities.

Essential Functions:

• Performs a program of corrective exercise and treatment for assigned patients under the direction of a Physical Therapist who has assessed and evaluated the patient. Monitors patients performing therapeutic exercise;
• Administers treatments such as exercise, gait training, massage, whirlpool, hot packs, diathermy, ultrasound, paraffin, ice packs and traction under supervision of the Physical Therapist;
• Observes patients undergoing treatment and reports unusual occurrences and physical condition of the patients to the Physical Therapist;
• Maintains appropriate communication with supervisor, physical therapy staff, patients and other hospital personnel;
• Follows appropriate documentation procedures and established guidelines to record information and maintain records of services provided;
• Participates in professional development through continuing education and in service training; monitors quality management issues;
• Maintains treatment areas and equipment in proper working order;
• Dependent upon area of practice or department assignments, demonstrates clinical knowledge and skill in the care of the newborn, infant, toddler, child, adolescent, adult and geriatric patient ranging up to 100+ years of age.

Additional Duties:

• Assists in scheduling physical therapy services and coordinating physical therapy with other types of services provided;
• Assists in the performing tests and evaluations to establish treatment goals and chart patient progress;
• Assists in explaining orthopedic recommendations and their benefits; provides instructions to patients and the relatives;
• Performs other job related duties as required.

Employment Standards:

• Graduation from an accredited program and/or approved by the Physical Therapy Examining Committee of the state Board of Medical Quality Assurance;
• Current licensure to practice as a Physical Therapy Assistant in California;
• Applicants who have successfully completed an accredited program and/or who have applied but have not yet taken the exam for licensure shall be identified as “license applicant” and must pass the Physical Therapy Assistant examination during their probationary period in order to comply with state guidelines. Failure to pass this examination within the probationary period will result in termination;

Appointees not possessing the American Heart Association Responder or Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) card at time of hire must successfully complete appropriate training and qualify for the RQI Responder certification within 30 days of employment. As a continued condition of employment, employee must maintain RQI Responder certification and competency.

• Employees must maintain all health requirements designated by Kern Medical;
• Other unit specific certification may be required.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and methods of physical therapy and the roles of the Physical Therapist and the Physical Therapy Assistant;
• Objectives of physical therapy treatment;
• Human anatomy and physiology;
• Various types of physical therapy treatments and procedures;
• Operation and care of various types of physical therapy equipment.

Ability to:

• Use and care for orthopedic appliances and special equipment;
• Explain, teach and administer physical therapy treatments and procedures;
• Keep records of case histories and prepare reports;
• Communicate effectively with patients and staff.

Supplemental:

Dependent upon assignment, applicants may be required to pass an extensive background investigation, and be fingerprinted. Disqualification for felony, misdemeanor, and traffic offenses will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

All Kern Medical employees are designated “Disaster Service Workers” through state and local laws (CA Government Code Sec. 3100-3109 and Ordinance Code Title 2 - Administration, Ch. 2.66 Emergency Services.) As Disaster Service Workers, all county employees are expected to remain at work, or to report for work as soon as practicable following a significant emergency or disaster.

If position responsibilities require driving a personal vehicle, then possession of a current valid California Driver’s License and adherence to the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119) is required.

If position responsibilities require driving a vehicle owned, leased or rented by Kern Medical, then possession of a current valid California Driver’s license, a signed authorization for Release of Drivers Record Information and adherence to the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119) is required.