Physical Therapist

Department:
Rehabilitation Services

Reports To:

Director of Rehabilitation Services

SUMMARY Examines, evaluates, diagnoses, develops treatment plans, and provides prognosis and discharge planning for each patient on an individual basis. Plans and administers medically prescribed physical therapy treatment for patients suffering from injury or disease, disabilities, impairments, limitations, or pathological processes to restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent disability, with the goal of re-establishing a patient’s prior functional level.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned

• Reviews patient's condition and medical records to determine appropriate course of treatment.
• Tests and measures patient's strength, motor development, sensory perception, functional capacity, and respiratory and circulatory efficiency, and records findings to develop or revise treatment programs.
• Integrates all necessary and appropriate aspects of examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis and intervention to maximize patient outcomes.
• Administers direct interventions that may include:
  • Therapeutic exercise.
  • Neuromuscular Re-education
  • Functional training in self cares, ADLs, home management, community and work.
  • Work conditioning
  • Manual therapy techniques.
  • Prescribes, applies, adjusts, and fabricates devices and equipment.
  • Wound management.
  • Electrotherapeutic modalities, physical agents.
  • Mechanical modalities.
• Establishes a plan of care which includes patient and family involvement in determining realistic, specific, functional and measurable goals.
• Evaluates effects of treatment at various stages and adjusts treatments to achieve maximum benefit.
• Records treatment, response, and progress in patient's medical record according to departmental guidelines.
• Instructs, motivates and assists patient and family members in treatment plan and home program including electronic or written direction.
• Performs reassessments and updated plan of care orders in a timely manner.
• Establishes an early discharge plan involving patient, family and other appropriate services and implements discharge in a timely manner.
• Recognizes when patient's treatment plan requires modification, discontinuation or patient referral based on goals established and documentation of progress.
• May provide physical therapy outside of Welia Health facilities under specific circumstances.
• Assists the Director of Rehabilitation Services in efficient operation of the department, such as updating policies/procedures and forms.
• Maintains competency on all department equipment and procedures.
• Confers with other members of the health care team to obtain additional patient information and to integrate physical therapy treatment with other aspects of patient's health care.
• Appropriately delegates, orients, instructs, and directs work activities of assistants, aides, support staff and students.
• Plans, conducts and participates in education and training programs on physical therapy and related topics for co-workers, medical staff, students, and community groups.
• Treats within scope of practice and abides by State Practice Act guidelines.
• Follows ethical/legal standards of practice per APTA guidelines.
• Participates in QA/PI activities to ensure improved quality of patient care.
• Responsible for continued professional growth by completing at least 2 courses per year in the web-based educational program in addition to all other assigned courses.
• Follows and supports the policies and procedures of the hospital and the standards of JCAHO as required for full accreditation.
• Exhibits respect and professionalism in all forms of communication.
• Considers age-related factors in care, treatment, education, and evaluation of patients ranging from neonates, pediatrics, adolescents, adults, and geriatrics. Applies knowledge of age-related factors appropriately in accordance with professional standards and departmental policies and procedures.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES Physical Therapist Assistants, Rehabilitation Services Aides.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Preferred:
Doctorate in Physical Therapy from an accredited school of physical therapy.

Required…