Physical Therapist

Job Description

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for a continuum of services providing care to patients with neuromuscular, orthopedic and other physically-related disorders requiring mobility training, strengthening, modalities, specialized manual therapy and neuromuscular re-education.
• Utilizes rehabilitation process to promote and restore optimal health and well-being of the patient.
• Assumes personal accountability for organizational mission and core values.
• Evaluates patients, presenting or referred to physical therapy, by completing initial evaluation within time standards per department protocol.
• Applies appropriate diagnostic and prognostic testing for musculoskeletal, neurological and neuromuscular conditions.
• Standardized testing will include special tests to determine level of disability and track outcomes over the patient care experience.
• Performs a variety of best practice and evidence based therapeutic interventions to address the unique rehabilitation needs of each patient.
• Establishes appropriate treatment plan with measurable and attainable goals and time frames by collaborating with patient, family and other members of the health care team including discharge planning.
• Selects and implements therapy activities per plan of care to ensure that patient, family and therapy goals are met.
• Recognizes individual limitations and capabilities and utilizes available resources.
• Evaluates patient’s learning style and appropriately teaches patients skills and techniques required for participation in physical therapy.
• Consults with other members of rehabilitation team to select the most appropriate activity and/or program for individual patients, based on patient needs and capabilities.
• Evaluates assigned patients and develops treatment plans including specific goals and activities, reassessing and modifying plans as necessary based on patient’s current level of function and makes appropriate disposition recommendations.
• Communicates effectively to all patients, families, staff, physicians and other customers concerning physical medicine and rehabilitation services by direct verbal and/or written communication respecting confidentiality at all times.
• Documents all patient care activities including evaluations, progress notes and detailed treatment records per standards of practice and regulatory/third party payer requirements.
• Facilitates preparation of patient schedules, billing charges and other reports per medical records procedure through timely completion of documentation per policy.
• On all documentation, utilizes descriptive, behavioral terms using correct grammar, organizationally approved abbreviations and medical terminology.
• Documents ongoing status, interventions, patient response and outcomes to correctly capture billing charges.
• Participates in personal, professional and program development by attending department in-services, meetings and by sharing professional expertise to enhance quality of professional services and staff development.
• Assists in training physical therapy and physical therapist assistant students and other hospital personnel.
• Acts as a resource for new staff members and co-workers by sharing information and providing education.
• Adheres to professional code of ethics (APTA) and to all accreditation and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrates effective time management and is proactive in prioritizing workload and meeting productivity requirements.
• Adapts to rapidly changing technologies, policies, regulations, census and staffing through priority setting and flexibility.
• Consistently demonstrates flexibility as evidenced by floating to other areas or sites and is agreeable to work flexible schedule including weekends, holidays and evening hours necessary to meet the needs of the patient and the department.

Education, Experience and Certifications/ License:

• Bachelor Degree Required.
• Degree in Physical Therapy required.
• Previous work experience providing direct patient care in outpatient, inpatient or inpatient rehab unit preferred.
• Prior use of electronic medical records (EMR), preferred.
• Physical Therapist in State of Employment Required or Physical Therapist license from a participating state in the National Licensure Compact.
• Basic Life Support from American Heart Association Required.

Float Requirements:

• Floating may be required to any Client location within sixty (60) miles of the original assignment location or Client-identified “float zone”.
• Float assignments may include duties outside of original assignment job requirements (including skill set) in accordance with Client policy.