Physical Therapy Assistant - Acute Care
Charleston, West Virginia
Charleston Area Medical Center Memorial Hospital

Physical Therapy Assistant (Acute Care Hospital) - Travel/Contract

Location: Charleston, West Virginia
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: Day shift, Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (40 hours/week)
Manager may offer alternate schedules (Wed-Sun or Tue-Sat) with same hours

Job Summary

• Provide physical therapy assistance in an acute care hospital setting with adult and geriatric patients.
• Follow Physical Therapist's plan of care.
• Treat up to 16 patients per day.
• Work in a 390-bed acute care hospital with specialties including heart surgery, orthopedics, and medical patients.

Required Qualifications

• Valid Physical Therapy Assistant license in West Virginia.
• Minimum 1 year of Physical Therapy Assistant experience within the last year.
• Completion of at least one travel assignment as a Physical Therapy Assistant.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification (AHA only), current before start.

Clinical & Technical Skills

• Experience with home exercise programs, lifting and transfer techniques, patient family education, safety and injury prevention, and billing.
• Equipment/device experience: bed alarms, call lights, crutches, gait belt, hospital bed, rolling walker, sit-to-stand lift. Preferred: Hoyer lift, lower extremity prosthetics, sliding boards, soft/hard collars, specialty beds, supplemental oxygen.
• Assessment skills: AROM/AAROM/PROM, arousal and attention, assistive devices, body mechanics, identifying environmental barriers, pain assessments, sensory response, strength testing, vital signs.

Work Environment & Requirements

• No float or on-call requirements.
• Weekend work depends on chosen schedule (M-F schedule has no weekends).
• 100-mile radius rule for travel; exceptions require facility approval.
• Orientation occurs every other Monday, initially in the department unit.
• Scrub color allowed: anything except royal blue, maroon, or forest green.
• Charting system: Cerner.
• Free parking in parking garage for travelers.

Health & Safety Requirements

• Physical exam within 1 year of start, signed by a licensed provider, confirming good health and no physical limitations.
• Annual fit mask testing required (3M N95 1860 Small or Regular and Aura 9205 accepted).
• Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 3 months of start.
• Required vaccinations or proof of immunity:

  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (declinations not accepted; medical/religious exemptions require approval)
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella (2 vaccines or positive titers; boosters required if negative/equivocal)
  • Hepatitis B (completion of series or documented immunity required)
  • Varicella (2 vaccines or positive titers; boosters if negative/equivocal)
  • Seasonal Flu vaccination or approved exemption required during flu season (Oct 1 - Mar 31)
• COVID-19 vaccination is not mandatory; proof of vaccination or signed declination accepted.
• Drug screen within 30 days of start, including a panel for multiple substances; no placeholders or pending results accepted.

Documentation & Compliance

• Must submit a single PDF containing:

  • Candidate profile/work history
  • Specialty-specific skills checklist
  • Minimum 2 manager/charge references within past 2 years
  • License verification (clean license required)
  • Driver’s license
  • Social Security card
• Background check: 7-year criminal history within 30 days of start, including SSN trace, county, sex offender, national, and international searches if applicable.
• Annual renewal of background checks and certain federal exclusions (SAM, OIG) required.
• Completion of facility-specific orientation and inservice training modules prior to start (approx. 4 hours).
• Compliance with facility dress code and blood administration policies.
• Must complete annual TB questionnaire if positive TB history.
• No return to this facility as a traveler within 2 years of last permanent employment.

Additional Notes

• Acute care experience is a strict requirement.
• No on-call or float duties.
• Orientation is two days (Thursday and Friday) including Cerner Infusion Management training.
• Stroke education CEUs may be required depending on unit assignment.
• Candidates with latex allergy must notify manager to avoid exposure.
• PAPR accommodations available if unable to pass fit testing due to facial hair or face shape.

This position offers a structured acute care environment with a focus on adult and geriatric patient populations, requiring solid acute care experience and strong clinical skills in physical therapy assistance.