Physical Therapist

Overview

Job Summary

The Staff Physical Therapist provides Physical Therapy evaluations to patients under the referral of a physician.  Plans and implements specific treatment programs for individual patients according to the principles and practices of physical therapy. Collaborates with interdisciplinary treatment team.  Provides supervision and direction for the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) and Rehab Aide.

The Staff Physical Therapist reports to the Senior Physical Therapist and/or Physical Therapy Manager and/or Director of Rehabilitation.  The Staff Physical Therapist supervises Physical Therapist Assistants, and Rehab Aides.

Responsibilities

Completes chart review prior to patient evaluation. Documents all significant findings.  Always interprets and documents any precautions/contraindications. 

Evaluates patients.  Able to complete most evaluations within one hour to 1 ½ hr.   Evaluation is appropriate in detail, to the patient's diagnosis/problems, and history.  Evaluations are complete including objective data, goals, patient goals, treatment plans, precautions, prognosis, frequency and duration.

Treatments are consistent with treatment plans and compatible with diagnostic and evaluative findings.

Observes and recognizes patient’s response to treatment, abnormal signs and symptoms; and responds appropriately, eg. Adjusts program, documents change(s), notifies nurse, physician and primary therapist.

Able to problem solve by collaborating and collecting all important information, and then selecting the best approach to solve the problem.

Plans patient treatments appropriate to diagnosis, problems, and patient's wants, needs, and preferences. Treatment plan includes approaches to achieve all significant goals.

Completes all required documentation  associated with a new PT order: Evaluation; Clarification of Orders; Plan of Care; Education form; Progress Note; initial PAI/ FIM (Rehab).; G codes

Completes patient treatment programs, (appropriate to service area), creatively utilizing a variety of techniques to achieve goals, maximize patient interest and participation. Alters treatment program as necessary.

Accurately records procedures provided to patient in the medical record.  Entry is timely (same day), and follows standard guidelines.

Records progress notes in narrative, SOAP, or conference format to document patient progress, problems, changes, patient/family education, etc. Completes entries at least 2x/week for inpatients and weekly for outpatients

Progresses patient treatment appropriately.  Plans ahead for patient needs prior to discharge, eg. Plans home assessment, community outing, etc. Recommends and completes orthotic assessments, etc.,on a timely basis.

Completes all necessary discharge planning in advance of scheduled discharges: patient/ family education, home program development, out-patient/ home health referrals, equipment ordering, etc.

Completes Discharge Summary, & Discharge FIMs (Rehab)  in a timely manner. Indicates patient's progress from admission to discharge, and any follow-up recommendations, continued treatment or referral information.  

Completes Interdisciplinary Plan of Care regarding the patient's physical therapy problems, goals and plan.  Participates in Patient Care Rounds (Acute), or Team Conference (Rehab), and problem solves interdisciplinary issues to assure the patient is achieving the best outcome.

Establishes treatment priorities and deals with the most important areas first.

Communicates as appropriate, to physicians, nurses, other ancillary providers, and patients/families, to promote efficient and effective patient care and discharge planning.

Prioritizes decisions concerning patient care to ensure safety

( e.g delegation of tasks to support personnel) and to meet both the needs of both individual patient . 

Maintains currency in CPR training, and demonstrates ability to respond appropriately to emergency medical situations.  Knows and follows   hospital policy for Code Blue and Rapid response

Takes initiative to address and solve area discipline needs in a timely manner.  

Provides in-service education or instruction to peers, support staff, and/or nursing staff based on identified needs Develops and meets instructional objectives.  Instructs in style appropriate to learning style of participants.  Checks for understanding.

Accurately performs routine evaluation techniques:  

     A. MMT   / ROM

     B. Goniometry

     C. Sensory Evaluation

     D. Functional Evaluation

     E. Postural Evaluation

     F. Gait Evaluation

Demonstrates competence in the effective use of therapeutic equipment for exercise:  ergometers, treadmills, stair climbers, weights, Total Gym, etc.

Demonstrates competence in providing performing routine wound care.

Demonstrates competence in the effective use of therapeutic equipment as required in service area: 

    A. ultrasound

    B. electrical stimulation (TENS, FES, ES)

    C. mechanical traction (cervical, pelvic) 

    D. hot/cold pack

    E. CPM machine

Demonstrates competence in performing functional mobility training with patients, as required in service area. Ensures patient safety.  Uses verbal and handling skills to promote optimum performance by patient in:

     A. transfer training:  bed, wheelchair, standing, sit  pivot, stand pivot, sliding board, dependent)    

     B. bed mobility training

     C. wheelchair mobility training (indoors/outdoors)

     D. fall recovery / floor transfers

     E. car transfer  training

Demonstrates competence in monitoring and assessing patient’s vital signs and response to    treatment:  BP, HR, RR.

Performs training with orthotics:  AFO. KAFO, cervical collars, lumbar/thoracic supports, etc

Demonstrates competence in total care of the amputee 

patient: provides wound care, limb shaping, exercise, functional training, prosthetic management and training as required.

Demonstrates competence in the care of the patient with total hip replacement:  knows and follows total hip precautions, instructs patient and family, provides functional training, provides gait training.

Demonstrates competence in assessing patients:  home environment and making recommendations for modifications, equipment needs, etc.    

Provides supervision to clinical interns as the clinical instructor.  Promotes a positive learning environment while maintaining expectations for entry level competency achievement.  Completes associated documentation and paperwork as needed.  Coaches interns to achieve optimal performance.    

Performs duties in an independent manner with little need for direct supervision. Aware of own strengths and limitations and requests assistance appropriately.

Demonstrates competence in physically handling patients in a safe and effective manner, while promoting the patient's independence.  Always utilizes good body mechanics.

Consistently develops a therapeutic relationship with the patients and maintains a proper perspective between personal and professional affairs.  Always behaves in a professional manner, even in stressful situations.

Accurately records billing for services rendered: matches documentation, legible, timely (same day).

Regularly provide billed services 75% of productive time.  

Completes 100% PAI/FIM data by the due dates:

* Admissions – by 3rd day

* Discharge- by  day

Consistently coordinates schedule to achieve maximum productivity and efficiency during the assigned shift.  

Routinely completes assignments within agreed upon time frames.  Able to plan daily work so as to avoid unnecessary overtime.

Volunteers to assist in emergency situation, e. weekend illness of therapist, extreme staffing urgency, etc.

Volunteers to assist in emergency situation, e. weekend illness of therapist, extreme staffing urgency, etc.

Uses good judgment when responding to requests of others for occupational therapy services, e.g.: physicians orders, nursing requests,etc.  Does not provide or hold treaments without MD orders.

Demonstrates competence in physically handling patients in a safe and effective manner while promoting patient’s independence.  Always utilizes good body mechanics.  Uses patient handling equipment (e.g. Golvo, Sabine, Viking XL) as needed.

Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, TRAINING

Bachelor of Science: Graduate of a School/Program in Physical Therapy approved by the APTA.  California licensure as a Physical Therapist by the Physical Therapy Board of California.BLS (AHA) certification requiredCan work for both acute and rehab settings preferredWilling to work weekends and Holidays

Compensation: 35.41 to 40.27 (USD)