Assistant Physiotherapist

Provides physiotherapy services with direct supervision of the Senior Physical Therapists and limited to the Physiotherapy Assistant scope of practice to patients according to an established treatment care plan which is prescribed by the Consultant or the Physician and agreed upon by the patient or the patient's relative following the clinical policy and procedures of the department. Assists with a clinical procedure performed by the Physician, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Nurses, and other medical staff whenever required.

Position Qualification:

• Diploma in Physiotherapy/Physical Therapy or
• Bachelor's Degree of Science in Physiotherapy and/or Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy
• Current license of practice in country of origin or country point of hire and/or Dubai Health Authority (DHA), United Arab Emirates.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of two (2) years experience post-certification as a Junior Physiotherapist/Physical Therapist.
• Excellent English verbal and written communication skills.

Quality and Accuracy:

• Understands the hospital's mission, vision and excellent customer service following the correct patient care processes, clinical standards and practices of physiotherapy services.
• Communicates process and the chain of command structure in reporting patient-related incidents, complaints and/or other related issues of concerns.
• Demonstrates full compliance and competence to the American Hospital Dubai and Physical Therapy Department's clinical policy and procedure including patient and equipment safety and the prevention and control of infection required to provide patient care.  
• Performs independently the assigned clinical and technical tasks with confidence, the ability to prioritize tasks and perform critical thinking following the hospital and the department's clinical policy and procedures.
• Performs initial and comprehensive patient care assessments and follow-up assessments and re-assessments following the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) clinical standards and guidelines.  
• Performs the initial and comprehensive patient care assessment and follow-up assessment and re-assessments that include, Cognitive Score Assessment (GCS), cardio-respiratory assessment of patient's vital signs (HR, BP, RR, SPO2), muscular-skeletal assessment (ROM/MMT), pain score assessment (VAS/FLACC), integumentary assessment (swelling, bruising), the risk for fall, patient care goals, patient care plans, patient care outcome and patient education.  
• Provides the appropriate physiotherapy services and/or physiotherapy modalities as clinically indicated and/or based on the patient's clinical diagnosis and/or current presenting symptoms.    
• Applies the appropriate physiotherapy modalities based on the patient care plan following the correct treatment frequency, time duration and the device settings and/or intensity and/or frequency required during the patient's treatment.  
• Selects and executes the appropriate measurement procedures and/or tools to assess the patient's clinical status, such as joint ROM tests, manual muscle tests, and functional and coordination tests before, during and after each patient treatment. 
• Selects and executes the appropriate supportive and assistive devices and/or equipment preventing possible harm and/or injury to the patient and/or damage to the equipment.
• Provides the patient, the patient's relative and other medical staff with physiotherapy clinical and technical education whenever required.  
• Performs and monitors the department's Quality Measures requirements and participates in Quality Improvement activities and other department projects.
• Reports all patient care-related incidents and/or customer service complaints to improve patient care services.
• Assists the department in the initiation and reviews of the department's clinical policy and procedure whenever required.

Quantity and Organizational Skills:

Provides physiotherapy services equivalent to twenty-six (26) sessions and/or Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes and with each session limited to 15 minutes that may include any of the following modalities listed below:

• Patient Initial Assessment and Re-assessment
• Cryotherapy/Heat Therapy
• Manual Therapy
• Massage Therapy
• Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
• Therapeutic Exercises
• Ultrasound Therapy
• Interferential Therapy
• Mechanical Traction Therapy
• Electrical Current Therapy
• Gait Training Therapy
• Lymphatic Edema Therapy

Participates in the department staff meetings and unit projects, and implements/evaluates creative approaches to meeting goals.

Performs additional duties and/or tasks as specified and/or assigned by the Senior Physical Therapist, and/or Physical Therapist.

Assists as a clinical resource to the patient, patient's relatives and/or caregiver, Junior Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapists, Nursing, and other medical staff when required. 

Ensures full compliance with the safety requirements of physiotherapy medical equipment, performs functional and calibration checks and ensures that all medical equipment for repair is reported to the Biomedical Engineer and the follow-up repair required is processed and completed. 

Maintains the availability of physiotherapy medical equipment for patient utilization, performs daily and monthly inventory and ensures that this equipment is placed and/or stored in the designated areas.   

Maintains full compliance with the safety and availability of physiotherapy medical supplies, minimizes medical supplies losses and reports to the Materials Management Department all supply replacements, expiry and losses requirements.