Physical Therapist - SHARE Military Initiative

Since 2007, Shepherd Center’s SHARE Military Initiative has provided evidence-based rehabilitation for military veterans, service members, and first responders who are ready to accept help and healing for their daily struggle with traumatic brain injuries and mental health concerns.
The Physical Therapist is responsible for treating patients (adolescent, adult, and geriatric) assigned, determining short-term and long-term goals in conjunction with the patient, family/caregiver and other Shepherd Center team members, and developing and implementing a comprehensive plan of care. In this active and hands-on position, the Physical Therapist greatly improves the patient experience through rehabilitation services. This role collaborates and engages with others in order to facilitate patient recovery.

Job Responsibilities:

• Evaluates patient’s physical and functional status including muscular strength, motor functions, reflexes, ambulation skills and ability to perform activities of daily living. 

• Observes and interviews patient, reviews medical history, and administers sensory tests, muscle tests, range-of-motion exams, and other evaluation techniques. 

• Develops and implements treatment program to further patient functional skills, which is then periodically reassessed and adapted. 

• Plans and delivers effective patient and family training to ensure proper patient care.

• Utilizes and orders in-house trial equipment according to need and correctly fits equipment to the patient.

• Schedules patients for specialty clinics and programs where appropriate.

• Determines and orders/recommends appropriate durable medical equipment in consultation with patient, caregivers, payer source and team members.

• Discusses evaluation, goals, and treatment with patient and family and instructs them on the exercise program and in use of equipment. 

• Uses evaluation findings to determine appropriate discharge planning needs.

• Effectively participates in intra-departmental staff meetings, and intra-departmental discipline/program committee assignments.

• May participate in education programs by teaching and supervising students. 

• Participates in research projects as needed.

• Prepares and maintains a record of observations and care given. Documentsinformation clearly and completely utilizing correct forms/systems and in a timely manner according to Center policy. 

• Performs consistent with Shepherd Center standards, clinical policies, and procedures.

• Practices proper safety techniques in accordance with Center and departmental policies and procedures. Responsible for the reporting of employee/patient/visitor injuries or accidents, or other safety issues to the supervisor and in the occurrence notification system. 

• Actively participates in center-wide efforts that affect physical therapy practice. 

• Establishes relationships with other physical therapists. 

• May provide supervision and education to therapy support personnel during and outside of PT treatment sessions.

• May float to inpatient or post-acute programs to provide patient evaluation or treatment sessions as needed.

• Practices proper safety techniques in accordance with Center and departmental policies and procedures. Responsible for the reporting of employee/patient/visitor injuries or accidents, or other safety issues to the supervisor and in the occurrence notification system.  

• Monitors and ensures compliance with all regulatory requirements, organizational standards, and policies and procedures related to area of responsibility. Identifies potential risk areas within area of responsibility and supports problem resolution process.

• Performs other duties as required/requested/assigned.

Required Minimum Education

• A degree from an accredited program in physical therapy.

Required Minimum Certification

• BLS required.

• Licensed to practice in the state of Georgia.

Required Minimum Experience

• Two (2) years recent clinical experience preferred.

Required Minimum Skills

• Basic computer skills.

• Working knowledge of all treatment and therapeutic patient care devices used by physical therapy staff.

• Must display knowledge of growth, development and the ability to obtain, interpret and disseminate information in terms of age specific patient needs (adolescent, adult and geriatric.

• Demonstrates competency in time management, organization, prioritization and critical thinking by planning and organizing work assignments and prioritizing the specific needs of the patient.

• Takes responsibility for growing professionally and seek opportunities for improving skills.

• Communicates effectively using timely verbal, non-verbal and written communication.

• Willingly adapts to changing work demands and work environment.

• Demonstrates critical thinking skills and makes sound judgments to monitor and respond to patient needs or changes in condition.

• Completes orientation and initial assessment of competency successfully by determined due date.

• Completes mandatory education and annual competency assessment requirements by determined due date.

Preferred Qualifications

Previous experience with patients with Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury Stroke, Concussion and Vestibular Disorders.

Physical Demands

• Uses body, tools, or special devices to safely, effectively, and efficiently to move, guide, or place patients. Involves some latitude for judgement with regard to precision attained and the selection of what adaptive device(s) to utilize.

• Ability to transfer and position patients, consistent with lifting up to 50 lbs.

• Repetitive lifting, moving, squatting, kneeling, and crawling physical requirements.

Working Conditions

• Normal patient care environment.

• Some potential for exposure to blood and body fluids.

• Some potential exposure to infectious viruses.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified.