Covenant Health

Senior Physical Therapy Assistant

Full Time, 72 Hours per pay period, Day Shift 

Parkwest Overview:

Headquartered in Knoxville, Covenant Health is a community-owned integrated healthcare delivery system and the area’s largest employer.

Parkwest is Covenant Health’s and West Knoxville’s premier medical facility and a top-performing heart hospital, offering our patients world-class treatment with all the convenience and warmth of home.

In addition to providing the area’s leading cardiac services, Parkwest has been nationally recognized for award-winning care throughout our facility. For 2020-21, Parkwest received recognition from U.S. News & World Report as one of the “Top 10” hospitals in Tennessee.

Knoxville located in East Tennessee is the third largest in the state, well-known for its proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and is the home of the University of Tennessee. Go Vols!  Living in Knoxville means experiencing all four seasons.  Best of all, each of them is pretty mild!

Combine all that with the abundant natural beauty of the surrounding mountains, and you have a city that truly offers something for everyone. Knoxville has a vibrant arts culture, seasonal festivals, top-notch foodie and incredible outdoor recreation. It’s a perfect blend of big-city amenities and Southern charm.

Position Summary:

Under supervision of a licensed physical therapist, implements treatments; monitors patient progress; modifies or progresses treatment plans as per goals set by the therapist as defined by State Practice Act.  Responsible for additional job responsibilities which may include program development and staff orientation/ training.

Recruiter: Kathleen Rice || Apply@covhlth.com

Clinical practice – Administers treatment programs, including specialized treatment

• Adheres to the "Definition and Utilization of the Physical Therapist Assistant" as stated in the current American Physical Therapy Association policy.
• Monitors patient progress and makes recommendations to the physical therapist in accordance with patient needs and evidence based practice.
• Documents patient progress in medical records for assigned patients.
• Provides input for patient care and discharge planning with other health professionals.
• Meets established targets for passive/active treatment ratios
• Involves patient and family in treatment, education and goal setting. Coordinates with other medical personnel regarding patient’s progress, needs and discharge planning.
• Demonstrates knowledge and competency including providing for age-specific needs of the population served.

Serves as a resource person for staff on an ongoing basis

• Provides 4 hours education/mentorship time per year. This includes:
  • Peer counseling/Mentorship
  • Community lectures/Volunteer
  • In-services/Case studies
• Participates in development, implementation and evaluation of standards of care and evidence based practice. This includes:
  • Evidence based practice protocols
  • Clinical outcomes analysis and communication to team
  • Participates in the development of new policies
  • QI/QA
• Maintains and updates patient documentation in accordance with professional, departmental, organizational, and payer guidelines and timeframes.  Maintains established targets for compliance with chart audits.
• Meets established target for:
  • Quality/outcome measures
  • Service/patient satisfaction measures
  • Financial/productivity measures
  • Growth/patients-per-day measures
• Demonstrates leadership including, but not limited to:
  • Participates in development and implementation of new and current programs
  • Participates in training, orientation and supervision of support staff
  • Participates in orientation of new licensed staff
  • Acts as Clinical Instructor for ate least one student per year as available
  • Participates in peer evaluations for competency assessment
  • Assists with continuing education courses hosted by Covenant Health
  • Participates in professional organization/meetings (TPTA, APTA)
• Complete partnering activities per established targets per month. 
  • Physician office visits
  • Community lectures/volunteer
  • Case Manager visits/marketing
  • Provide in-services
• Follows policies, procedures, and safety standards.  Completes required education assignments annually.  Works toward achieving goals and objectives, and participates in quality improvement initiatives as requested.
• Perform other related duties as assigned or requested.

Minimum Education:           

None specified; however, must be sufficient to meet the standards for achievement of the below indicated license and/or certification as required by the issuing authority.

Minimum Experience:         

Two (2) years of experience with at least one (1) year of experience in the specialty area

Licensure Requirements:     

Current Tennessee Physical Therapist Assistant license. CPR required. Employee must have a valid Tennessee driver’s license Class D and state mandated minimum insurance coverage. Driving record must meet Covenant Health minimum standards at the date of hire and throughout employment tenure.