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Physical Therapy Assistant - Home Health (PRN)

Mercyhealth · Rockford, IL · $25.10–$42.40 an hour · Per diem

Posted Jul 9, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

How do you report patient progress to the supervising PT?

What they are checking: Whether they communicate clearly and on time with the PT.

How do you keep notes timely when driving between homes?

What they are checking: Whether they have good documentation habits in home health.

Tell me about a time you helped a patient regain independence at home.

What they are checking: Whether they can describe their role in a patient's progress.

What would you do

A patient's condition has changed since the last visit. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they report changes to the PT promptly instead of continuing the old plan.

A patient refuses to do their exercises today. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they respect the patient while trying to motivate them.

This is a PRN role in Rockford. How would you handle short-notice visits?

What they are checking: Whether they are flexible and reliable.

About the work

How do you follow a physical therapist's plan of care in the home, and what decisions can you make on your own?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the PTA scope of practice and when to check with the PT.

Walk me through how you teach a patient to use a walker safely at home.

What they are checking: Whether they can train patients clearly and check safety.

Which modalities have you used, like ultrasound or electrical stimulation, and what precautions do you follow?

What they are checking: Whether they use modalities safely and correctly.

How do you fit and adjust a brace or crutches for a patient?

What they are checking: Whether they can fit devices properly, a duty in the posting.

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The full job description

As published by Mercyhealth.

The Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) assists the licensed physical therapist in administering physical therapy treatment in the home setting for patients suffering from injuries, neurological conditions, developmental delays, or muscle, nerve, joint and bone disease, to restore function and prevent disability. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Administers active and passive manual therapeutic exercises, balance and proprioceptive training, therapeutic massage, mobilization of tissue and joints, traction, and heat, light, sound, water, and electrical modality treatments such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, ultraviolet, infrared, and hot and cold packs. • Instructs, motivates, and assists patients to learn and improve functional activities such as perambulation, transfer, ambulation, and daily living activities. • Observes patients during treatments and compiles and evaluates data on patients' responses to treatments and progress and reports orally or in writing to Physical Therapist. • Fits patients for, adjusts, and trains patients in use and care of orthopedic braces, prostheses, and supportive devices such as crutches, canes, walkers, and wheelchairs. • Confers with members of physical therapy staff and other health team members, individually and in conference, to exchange, discuss, and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying , and coordinating treatment programs. • Measures patient's range-of-joint motion, length and girth of body parts, and vital signs to determine effects of specific treatments or to assist Physical Therapist to compile data for patient evaluations. • Completes thorough and timely electronic documentation • May assist with orientation and training of new partners as needed EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE • Graduate of an accredited Physical Therapy Assistant program CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE • License d to practice as a Physical Therapy Assistant in the state of Wisconsin and/or Illinois as required • Approved CPR or BLS certification required within 90 days of hire SPECIAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS The Special Physical Demands are considered Essential Job Functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit, stoop, walk, and stand. The employee is occasionally required to kneel, crouch, crawl, climb or balance. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision and ability to adjust focus PAY RANGE: $25.10 - $42.40 Mercyhealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer . All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. Mercyhealth offers competitive pay and benefits, including retirement, time off, on-demand pay, access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and more. Click here for more details. At Mercyhealth, we don’t simply hire people, we empower employee-partners who are passionate about making lives better. As an integrated health system, we deliver exceptional, coordinated across seven hospitals, 85 primary and specialty clinics, and a team of over 7,500 professionals serving northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Mercyhealth has been nationally recognized for our commitment to our people and culture, including: • #1 in the nation on AARP's Best Employers for Workers Over 50 • One of Working Mother magazine's 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers • A Top 50 Company and Top 10 Nonprofit for Executive Women

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