Therapy Aide - PT/OT DUH Inpatient Services

Duke University Hospital

Duke University Hospital is consistently rated as one of the best in the United States and is known around the world for its outstanding care and groundbreaking research. Duke University Hospital has 1,048 licensed inpatient beds and offers comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center; a major surgery suite containing 65 operating rooms; an endo-surgery center; a separate hospital outpatient surgical department with nine operating rooms and an extensive diagnostic and interventional radiology area. For 2021-2022, U.S. News and World Report ranked Duke University Hospital nationally in 11 adult specialties: cancer, cardiology & heart surgery, diabetes & endocrinology, ear, nose & throat, gastroenterology & GI surgery, gynecology, neurology & neurosurgery, ophthalmology, orthopedics, pulmonology & lung surgery, and urology. Duke University Hospital is also ranked first in North Carolina and first in the Raleigh-Durham area.

In addition to its hospitals, Duke Health has an extensive, geographically dispersed network of outpatient facilities that include primary care offices, urgent care centers, multi-specialty clinics and outpatient surgery centers.

General Description of the Job Class

Perform moderately skilled work aiding physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech language pathologists (if applicable) with departmental operating procedures and patient treatment.

 

Duties and Responsibilities of this Level

Level I

Perform patient related tasks and instruction, in which employee has attained competence, as specifically designated by the therapist. Prepare patient and treatment area for care, aid therapist with patient care under direct and/or indirect supervision.

Meet all competency skills for Therapy Aide Level I.

Utilize correct sterile technique when assisting with wound care and dressing changes.

Transport patients to proper location according to the daily time schedule utilizing all necessary safety precautions in all areas of the hospital as requested.

Transport, transfer, and/or assist patient in and out of wheelchair, bed, tilt table, or stretcher safely and without undue discomfort to patient.

Assist in scheduling inpatients and outpatients as needed.

Arrange schedule so patients will arrive in the department for their scheduled visit: delays will be reported to the therapists no later than the scheduled time of expected arrival.

Assist patients as necessary for transfers, dressing and toileting.

Assist in the maintenance, care, and cleaning of equipment and supplies.

Demonstrate knowledge of and utilizes good body mechanics.

Understand oxygen procedures in transport of patients.

Transport/deliver equipment, records, mail/messages in a timely manner as requested or according to daily schedule.

Manage or assist with control of linen and supply inventory as requested to include Organize and stock inventory systematically and efficiently; check inventory levels on a daily basis or according to area standard and place as needed, and check orders received for accuracy and damage. Consistently meet patient care productivity standards for job classification. Work cooperatively with peers to contribute to the overall productivity of the team. Actively support and participate in cross coverage efforts in the department/division.

Report patient responses/reactions to treatment.

Complete activity logs, safety logs, stamped patient attendance information, and other projects as assigned.

Post charges and assist with phone and front office coverage as needed.

Communicate with patient and staff in courteous, respectful, and supportive manner.

Respond promptly to requests for assistance in a cooperative and enthusiastic manner.

Assist with orientation and training of volunteers assigned to PT, OT, or SLP.

Participate in review of activities and processes for area of work; assist in implementing changes to effect continual improvement in services provided; and comply with regulatory and legal requirements. Level II

In addition to duties described in Level I, performs the following:

Aid with and co-treat on more complex therapy procedures appropriate for non-licensed staff, including independent performance of some treatment techniques with on-site supervision.

Manage custom supply orders, including: delivery tracking, sending packing slips to procurement, and processing returns in appropriate and timely manner. Check equipment routinely to ensure proper operation and follows procedures for notification, repair, replacement.

Consistently meet patient care productivity standards for job classification.

Display flexibility in scheduling.

Report patient responses/re