Physical Therapist I

Job Description

Job Summary:

• Renders physical therapy services to an assigned caseload of children at the client.
• Contributes to the advancement of Physical Therapy practice through education of staff therapists, patients/families, students and other health care providers when appropriate.

Clinical:

Examination:

• Able to perform a complete history and systems reviews and determine appropriate tests and measures based on findings.
• May need assistance/supervision with performance of appropriate tests and measures that are unfamiliar.

Evaluation:

• Able to synthesize information independently obtained from the examination to determine clinical diagnosis for basic, uncomplicated cases.
• Seeks guidance for more complex issues.

Diagnosis/Prognosis:

• Ability to identify impairments and its impact on function and disability and develop a plan of care that integrates therapy into the lifestyle of the family.
• May require assistance for complex cases.

Intervention:

• Provides procedural interventions with mentorship as needed.
• Patient education is family centered by considering family lifestyle, environment, learning needs and collaborative goal setting.
• Documentation is thorough, complete, timely and reflects integration of all areas of patient care with assistance as needed.
• Identifies the needs for adaptive equipment and orthotic resources.

Outcomes:

• Results of patient/client interaction include high level of patient/caregiver satisfaction, reduced risk for impairment, promotion of wellness, identification of internal resources.
• May require assistance/mentorship for resources to do this.
• Identifies appropriate outcome measures to assess progress and determine appropriate plan of care or transitional service.
• Demonstrates entry-level skills in PT practice and delivers evidence-based clinical care with mentorship.

Education – Professional Development:

• Maintains current skills and knowledge by identifying own learning needs, both formally and informally, to practice a lifestyle of life-long learning.
• Seeks opportunity for clinical growth and development within the department through mentorship.
• Attends in-services within the department and hospital as appropriate.

Clinical Education:

• Assists with student program by having observational and lab experiences with affiliating students.
• May act as a backup supervisor to a student on affiliation.
• Products APTA credentialed CI status.
• May serve as a primary credentialed CI to affiliating student.
• Contributes to the continuing education endeavors within the department and hospital.
• Seeks opportunities to share knowledge via presentations, interdisciplinary rounds or participation in staff in-services.

Interdisciplinary Communication and Coordination of Care:

• Able to make judgments within their Product of practice and level of expertise and shall communicate with, collaborate with, or refer to peers or other health care professionals when necessary.
• Demonstrate professional judgment informed by professional standards, evidence (including current literature and established best practice), practitioner experience, and patient/client values.
• Communicates with physicians, other team members, third party participants and family regarding the patient’s goals and progress.
•  Participates in patient conferences as assigned as a member of the health care team.
• Understands roles and goals of other team members and able to makes appropriate contacts in patient care planning.
• Conveys appropriate patient coverage information when care is provided by other staff members.
• Able to identify appropriate delegation of activities to PTAs, aides, volunteers, support staff.

Research:

• Demonstrate professional judgment informed by professional standards, evidence (including current literature and established best practice), practitioner experience, and patient/client values.
• Accesses appropriate resources to find information regarding policies, guidelines and protocols to promote evidence based practice.
• Applies evidence to practice.
• Able to articulate evidence and rationale for treatment to patient/caregiver.
• Participate in journal club and other department research initiatives.

Administration:

• Contributes to department policy/procedures via program development, evaluation forms and clinical guidelines when appropriate.
• Maintains productivity and fiscal responsibility in the utilization/provision of services.
• Actively participates in department planning meetings, and/or appropriate department initiatives.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Physical Therapy required.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy will be accepted for individuals licensed previous to December 31, 2002.
• Candidates must have inpatient rehab experience and experience with neurologic/brain injury population or patients of higher medical acuity.
• Pediatric experience preferred but not required.
• Level 4 worker.
• Physical Therapy License in State of PA and/or NJ depending on work location.
• CPR Certification issued through an organization that requires a hands-on instructor lead psychomotor skills verification (ex. American Heart Association or Red Cross).

Languages:

• English (Speak, Read, Write).

Schedule Hours Per Week: 40.00
Schedule Hours Per Day: 8.00
Schedule Days Per Week: 5.00