Kara Erwin
Barre
Summary
Dedicated and caring Physical Therapist Assistant with 30 years of experience providing quality patient care in rehabilitative settings such as inpatient, Outpatient, Aquatic PT, SNF's and home care. Exhibits a calm, reassuring and very knowledgeable personality that is very reassuring to patients. An effective communicator who listens and engages with other clinicians and disciplines, patients and families/caregivers.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Outpatient Aquatic Physical Therapist Assistant
UVM Medical Center
Barre
01.2023 - Current
- Assisted physical therapists in implementing treatment plans for diverse patient populations.
- Taught and carried out BIG exercises
- Educated patients on exercises to improve mobility and reduce pain.
- Monitored patient progress during therapy sessions and updated treatment records.
Physical Therapist Assistant
Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice
Barre
07.2016 - 06.2022
- Tracked and documented progress towards established treatment plan goals.
- Collaborated with rehabilitation teams to implement programs consistent with patient needs and capabilities.
- Recommended treatment modifications to improve patient progress, safety and comfort.
- Demonstrated correct equipment and exercise routines as part of detailed patient instruction.
- Provided data for physical therapist review through special tests and referral to other specialists as necessary.
- Provided wound care and staple removal for small abrasions to large surgical incisions.
- Educated patients and caregivers on safety to prevent falls, wound management, HEP and gait/ stair training.
Physical Therapist Assistant
Berlin Health and Rehab/Genesis/Premier Therapy
Barre
06.2001 - 07.2016
- Collaborated with rehabilitation teams to implement programs consistent with patient needs and capabilities.
- Trained patients, caregivers and family members in details of plans of care.
- Provided 1/1 aquatic therapy sessions through therapeutic exercises.
- Used diverse exercises to improve joint mobility and stabilize weak areas for orthopedic, neurological and geriatric patients.
- Assisted patients with assistive devices such as wheelchairs, canes, walkers, braces, splints, slings and prosthetic/orthotic devices.
- Supported patients during their exercises and functional activities while working on balance, providing instruction, motivation and safety assistance.
- Skilled nursing Facility
Physical Therapist Assistant
Central Vermont Medical Center
Barre
06.2001 - 07.2004
- Provided modalities such as ultrasound, E-stim, Massage techniques, hot/cold packs and Iontophoresis to patients under supervising PT.
- Tracked and documented progress towards established treatment plan goals.
- Demonstrated and instructed patients on use of equipment such as treadmills, stationary bicycles, UBE, total gym and primus programs.
- Recommended treatment modifications to improve patient progress, safety and comfort.
- Inpatient PT with instructions for bed mobility, transfers, therapeutic exercise and gait training with and without devices.
- Set up pt with appropriate devices for home such as CPM's, oxygen, walkers, wheelchairs, crutches, canes ect..
- Oupatient/ Inpatient and Aquatic physical Therapy
Physical Therapist Assistant
Associates in Physical and Occupational Therapy
Williston
06.1996 - 07.2001
- Tracked and documented progress towards established treatment plan goals.
- Provided direct treatment under specific instruction from therapists supporting patient progress throughout recovery.
- Mentored and trained new employees providing encouragement and targeted support in job duty performance.
- Worked as a back up clinician for the research department at UVMMC to instruct ALS patients in pulmonary function and manual muscle testing.
- Recommended treatment modifications to improve patient progress, safety and comfort.
Education
Associate of Science - Physical Therapy
Becker College
Worcester, MASkills
- Outpatient PT
- Inpatient PT
- Aquatic therapy
- Physical therapy in SNF
- Home care PT
- Caregiver trainingBIG Parkinson’s certification
- Therapeutic exercises
- Pain management techniques
- Treatment implementation
- Communication
Certification
- Big certified
- BSL certified
Timeline
Outpatient Aquatic Physical Therapist Assistant
UVM Medical Center
01.2023 - Current
Physical Therapist Assistant
Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice
07.2016 - 06.2022
Physical Therapist Assistant
Berlin Health and Rehab/Genesis/Premier Therapy
06.2001 - 07.2016
Physical Therapist Assistant
Central Vermont Medical Center
06.2001 - 07.2004
Physical Therapist Assistant
Associates in Physical and Occupational Therapy
06.1996 - 07.2001
Associate of Science - Physical Therapy
Becker College