Physical Therapy Assistant
Alturas, California
Modoc Medical Center

Physical Therapy Assistant (Contract)

Location: Alturas, California
Employment Type: Contract (13 weeks)
Shift: Monday through Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM
Hours per Week: 36

Position Summary

• Provide physical therapy services under the direction of a licensed Physical Therapist.
• Manage a patient load of 8-9 patients per day with scheduled evaluation and follow-up appointment times (1 hour for evaluations, 45 minutes for follow-ups).
• No weekend work required.

Required Qualifications

• Valid Physical Therapy Assistant license in California.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience as a Physical Therapy Assistant, with experience within the last year.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

Responsibilities

General Competencies

• Demonstrate professionalism on and off duty.
• Maintain positive working relationships with patients, visitors, and staff.
• Manage time effectively and produce timely, accurate work with minimal supervision.
• Organize and maintain patient and departmental records accurately and promptly.
• Communicate respectfully and clearly within the chain of command.
• Assist with front office duties such as answering phones, registering, and scheduling patients as needed.

Specific Competencies

• Provide treatments as directed by the supervising Physical Therapist and communicate any necessary changes promptly.
• Observe, evaluate, and document treatment effects clearly and efficiently.
• Maintain legible, timely, and objective patient records.
• Ensure patient safety and reduce healthcare-related errors in the treatment environment.
• Maintain cleanliness and hygiene standards, including hand hygiene before and after patient contact.
• Use physical therapy modalities safely and effectively, including spinal traction, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, diathermy, and infrared light.
• Perform physical therapy procedures such as therapeutic exercise, soft tissue mobilization, gait training, neuromuscular re-education, orthotic/prosthetic training, and taping.
• Work cooperatively with staff to foster a team approach to patient care.
• Manage patient scheduling and complete charting according to clinic policies.
• Assist with ordering supplies and maintaining adequate inventory levels.
• Educate patients and families to support effective treatment strategies tailored to their learning needs.
• Adhere to the California State Practice Act for Physical Therapy Assistants.

Professional Requirements

• Maintain an active PTA license and BCLS certification without lapses.
• Stay current with physical therapy practices through continuing education and staff development.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives.
• Adhere to professional dress code and wear identification while on duty.
• Attend required meetings, annual evaluations, and complete annual education requirements.
• Demonstrate punctuality and complete assigned work within designated timeframes.
• Uphold the mission, ethics, and goals of the healthcare organization in all job duties.

Experience

• No explicit minimum years of experience stated; however, experience in acute care, skilled nursing, and outpatient settings is desired.

Note: Prior travel experience is not specified or required for this position.