Covenant Health

Senior Physical Therapist Assistant

PRN/OCC, Variable Hours and Shifts

Parkwest Overview: 

Parkwest Medical Center, Covenant Health’s flagship facility in West Knoxville, combines world-class cardiac expertise with the warmth of home in serving a vibrant East Tennessee community. Since 1973, Parkwest has grown into the region’s largest hospital in the area, offering advanced services like an all-digital catheterization lab, comprehensive breast health, emergency, and critical care. It’s consistently ranked among Tennessee's top 10 hospitals by U.S. News & World Report and earns national recognition as a Top 100 Heart Hospital, as well as an “A” safety grade from Leapfrog. As part of Covenant Health, the region’s largest employer, Parkwest Medical Center, marries cutting-edge technology with compassionate, community-centered care, earning accolades for cardiology, stroke, surgical excellence, and patient safety. 

To learn more about Parkwest Medical Center and our units, visit Covenant Health Parkwest Medical Center Opportunities.  

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.

• 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’ experience with at least one (1) year experience in the specialty area. Professional organization membership preferred

Licensure Requirements:     

Current Tennessee Physical Therapist Assistant license.