Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA)

About Alliance Home Care

Alliance Home Care is a Minnesota-licensed home care agency providing skilled and non-skilled services to individuals in their homes and communities. Our team is dedicated to dignity, safety, and enabling clients to live independently with the support they need.

Position Summary

The Physical Therapist Assistant provides skilled physical therapy services to clients in their homes under the supervision and direction of a licensed Physical Therapist, in accordance with the Minnesota Physical Therapy Practice Act (Minn. Stat. ch. 148A), Minnesota Board of Physical Therapy rules, and Medicare Conditions of Participation (42 CFR 484). The PTA implements the PT-established plan of care, carries out delegated interventions, monitors client progress, and communicates observations to the supervising PT. Evaluation, plan-of-care establishment, OASIS completion, functional reassessment, and discharge determination are PT functions and are never performed by the PTA.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Skilled PT Interventions

• Implements the physical therapy plan of care and provides skilled interventions delegated by the supervising PT, including therapeutic exercise, gait training, transfer training, balance and fall-risk intervention, strengthening programs, and range-of-motion activities.
• Applies physical therapy modalities and techniques within the PTA scope of practice as directed by the supervising PT.
• Provides adaptive equipment training, home safety instruction, and assistive device training as directed by the supervising PT.
• Delivers client and caregiver education consistent with the PT-established plan; reinforces home exercise programs and functional strategies developed by the supervising PT.
• Monitors client response to treatment, functional progress toward established goals, and any changes in condition; communicates findings to the supervising PT promptly.
• Participates in discharge planning activities as directed by the supervising PT; documents progress toward goals and functional status at discharge.

Supervision and Collaboration

• Practices only under the supervision of a licensed PT as required by Minn. Stat. 148.706; maintains communication with the supervising PT regarding client status, progress, and clinical concerns.
• Participates in scheduled supervisory contacts and any in-person PT oversight visits; escalates changes in condition or unexpected clinical findings immediately.
• Participates in case conferences, team meetings, and interdisciplinary communications as scheduled.
• Does NOT perform physical therapy evaluations, initial assessments, OASIS data collection, plan-of-care establishment or revision, qualified-therapist functional reassessments, or discharge determinations — these are PT-only functions.

Documentation and Compliance

• Documents all visits, interventions, client responses, and progress toward goals accurately and on time in the electronic health record (KanTime EMR) per agency and regulatory requirements.
• Ensures documentation supports medical necessity, skilled need, and the services billed for each visit (42 CFR 484.110).
• Completes visit documentation within 24–48 hours per agency standard; falsification of records is grounds for termination and may constitute fraud.
• Maintains compliance with CMS Conditions of Participation, the Minnesota Physical Therapy Practice Act, agency policies, and HIPAA.
• Serves as a mandated reporter of suspected maltreatment of vulnerable adults (Minn. Stat. 626.557) and minors (Minn. Stat. ch. 260E).
• Honors client rights under 42 CFR 484.50 and the Minnesota Home Care Bill of Rights (Minn. Stat. 144A.44).

Required Qualifications

• Current, unencumbered license as a Physical Therapist Assistant issued by the Minnesota Board of Physical Therapy.
• Graduate of a CAPTE-accredited physical therapist assistant program.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) / CPR certification.
• Valid driver’s license, acceptable driving record, current auto insurance, and reliable transportation.
• Cleared Minnesota DHS background study (Minn. Stat. ch. 245C) prior to direct contact with clients.
• Tuberculosis screening consistent with MDH/CDC requirements prior to client contact.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills; ability to document accurately in an electronic health record.

Preferred Qualifications

• 1+ years of PTA experience in home health, skilled nursing, assisted living, or a rehabilitation setting.
• Experience with gait training, fall prevention, post-surgical rehabilitation, and neurological conditions in a home or community setting.
• Familiarity with KanTime EMR or comparable home health documentation system.
• Experience working with elderly or medically complex clients.

Required Training (Provided or Verified by Alliance Home Care)

• Agency orientation, including the Minnesota Home Care Bill of Rights, client rights, and agency policies prior to providing client care.
• Vulnerable Adults Act and maltreatment mandated reporter training.
• Infection control, standard precautions, and HIPAA training.
• KanTime EMR documentation training prior to independent visits.
• Annual competency updates as required by agency policy and Minnesota home care regulations.
• Ongoing continuing education to maintain active PTA licensure.

Physical Requirements

• Frequent travel between client homes; ability to operate a motor vehicle safely.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds occasionally and up to 25 pounds frequently, consistent with safe client handling and agency equipment policies.
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, and reaching; guiding and assisting clients with mobility, transfers, and therapeutic exercises.
• Sufficient visual, hearing, and communication ability to observe clients, respond to calls for help, and communicate verbally and in writing.
• Manual dexterity sufficient to perform therapeutic techniques, apply modalities, and complete EHR documentation.
• Potential exposure to communicable disease, bloodborne pathogens, household pets, variable home environments, and adverse weather during travel. PPE provided per agency policy.

What We Offer

A fulfilling clinical role where you work directly with clients in their own homes, helping them rebuild strength, mobility, and confidence after illness, injury, or surgery. Alliance Home Care offers flexible scheduling, a collaborative therapy team, paid training, mileage reimbursement, continuing education support, and clear opportunities for professional growth.

Schedule

Alliance Home Care offers full-time, part-time, and PRN opportunities. Visit schedules and shift expectations vary by case assignment and will be reviewed during the interview process.

Benefits

Alliance Home Care is proud to invest in our team. Eligible employees receive:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Employer-paid life and disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid training and continuing education
• Mileage reimbursement
• Employee referral bonuses
• Career growth and advancement opportunities within Alliance Home Care

Benefit eligibility varies based on employment status (full-time, part-time, or PRN) and length of service.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Alliance Home Care is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and the clients we serve. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.