Senior Physical Therapy Assistant (Full-Time) - Inpatient Rehab - Palisades Medical Center - North Bergen, NJ

As a Senior Physical Therapy Assistant at Hackensack Meridian Health, your main responsibilities will include executing physical therapy treatments under supervision, providing patient re-assessment feedback, coordinating with other departments for smooth patient discharge, and ensuring excellent customer service. You will also be involved in staff training and quality assurance plans, making this position vital for maintaining high standards of care.

To qualify for the Senior Physical Therapy Assistant position at Hackensack Meridian Health, you need to have an Associate's degree in Physical Therapy from an accredited school, along with five years of experience in Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. A current New Jersey Physical Therapy Associate license is also required, along with strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Hackensack Meridian Health is committed to supporting the professional growth of its Senior Physical Therapy Assistants through ongoing training programs, collaboration opportunities, and an environment that encourages knowledge sharing. Working alongside experienced physical therapists and participating in in-service training sessions are excellent ways to enhance your skills and advance your career.

The work environment for a Senior Physical Therapy Assistant at Hackensack Meridian Health is typically indoors in a well-lit and ventilated area. While you will have substantial employee contact and occasionally face challenges related to patient care, proper safety precautions and teamwork help create a supportive atmosphere.

The Senior Physical Therapy Assistant role at Hackensack Meridian Health involves significant physical demands, including frequent lifting of objects weighing up to 150 lbs with assistance, standing, walking, and bending. The position also requires strong verbal communication skills due to regular interaction with patients and colleagues.

When responding to this question, be sure to highlight specific techniques you are familiar with, such as exercise, ultrasound, or gait training. Relate your experiences to how these techniques benefited patients in your previous roles.

To answer this question effectively, discuss your awareness of safety protocols and your commitment to following best practices. Mention past experiences where safety was a priority and how you handled any challenges.

Highlight your communication and collaborative skills. Discuss how you typically share updates and notes with nursing teams and how you ensure consistency in patient care through teamwork.

Prepare to share specific examples where you've successfully managed stress, such as prioritizing tasks, adhering to deadlines, or providing care during high-pressure scenarios. Emphasize flexibility and adaptability.

Talk about the importance of empathy, active listening, and clear communication with your patients. Share examples of how you have gone above and beyond to address patient needs and concerns.

Discuss your commitment to lifelong learning, mentioning any courses, certifications, or training sessions you have participated in. Highlight your willingness to stay updated with industry trends and techniques.

Share a specific instance where you dealt with a challenging patient case or coordination obstacle. Explain the methods you used to find a resolution and emphasize the outcome.

Discuss your assessment process for each patient and how you adapt therapy techniques based on their unique requirements. Highlight the importance of personalizing care for effectiveness.

Emphasize the collaborative nature of therapy work and how effective communication among team members leads to better patient outcomes. Provide examples from previous experiences where teamwork was crucial.

Express your alignment with Hackensack Meridian Health's mission, the value you place on community service and teamwork, and how you see yourself contributing to the organization's goals and patient care initiatives.