Physical Therapist

Purpose of Your Job Position

The primary purpose of your position is to plan, organize, develop, and direct the Facility's Physical Therapy Services in accordance with current applicable federal, state, and local standards, guidelines and regulations, and as may be directed by the Administrator, to assure that the highest degree of quality resident care can be maintained at all time.

Delegation of Authority

As Physical Therapist you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

Job Function

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or is an essential function of the position.

Duties and Responsibilities

Administrative and Surveillance Functions

• Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, and direct our Facility's physical therapy, as well as its programs and activities, in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern nursing care facilities.
• Meet with administration, medical and nursing staff, as well as other related departments in planning therapy services.
• Represent the Facility at and participate in meetings, as directed.
• Maintain physical therapy standards of practice.
• Assist in standardizing the methods in which physical therapy will be accomplished.
• Assist in developing, implementing and coordinating policies and procedures, resident care plans, physical therapy procedure manuals, job descriptions, etc.
• Review physical therapy policies, procedures, manuals, job descriptions, etc., at least annually, and participate in making recommended changes.
• Interpret physical therapy policies and procedures to personnel, residents, family members, etc., as necessary.
• Participate in discharge planning, development and implementation of resident care plans, resident assessments, etc., as necessary.
• Assist the Quality Assessment and Assurance Coordinator in developing, implementing, and maintaining an ongoing quality assurance program for physical therapy services.
• Assist the Quality Assessment & Assurance Committee in developing and implementing appropriate plans of action to correct identified deficiencies.
• Assume the authority, responsibility, and accountability of directing the physical therapy department in conjunction with the Rehabilitation Director.
• Maintain treatment records, resident files, and progress notes, as required.
• Work with the Facility's consultants, as necessary and implement recommended changes, as required.
• Assist in arranging transportation when necessary.
• Ensure business office receives charges for physical therapy rendered to residents and that all treatments are coded accurately for billing in accordance with current standards.
• Make written and oral reports or recommendations to the Administrator, and/or Rehabilitation Director concerning the operation of the physical therapy department.
• Maintain an adequate liaison with families and residents.
• Interview residents, or family members, as necessary.
• Perform administrative requirements such as completing necessary forms, reports, etc., and submitting to the Administrator, as required.

Committee Functions

• Serve on, participate in, and/or attend various committees of the Facility, as required.
• Provide written and/or oral reports of the physical therapy programs and activities, as required.
• Evaluate and implement recommendations from established committees as they may pertain to physical therapy services.

Personnel Functions

• Determine the staffing needs of the physical therapy department necessary to meet the needs of the residents in conjunction with the Rehabilitation Director.
• Recommend the number and level of physical therapy personnel to employ in conjunction with the Rehabilitation Director.
• Assist the Administrator and/or the HR Delegate in the recruitment and selection of competent physical therapy personnel.
• Provide guidance and training for new and/or less experienced personnel.
• Develop work assignments and schedule duty hours in conjunction with the Rehabilitation Director.
• Develop, maintain, and periodically update the written procedure for ensuring that professional physical personnel have valid and current licenses as required by this state in conjunction with the Rehabilitation Director.
• Review complaints and grievances made or filed by department personnel in conjunction with the Home Office Rehab Director.
• Make written and oral reports and recommendations to the Administrator concerning the operation of the physical therapy department in conjunction with the Rehabilitation Director.
• Maintain an excellent working relationship with the medical profession and other health related facilities and organizations.
• Develop and maintain a good working rapport with inter-department personnel, as well as other departments within the Facility to assure that services and activities can be properly maintained to meet the needs of the residents.
• Meet with and solicit advice from other department supervisors concerning physical therapy; assist in identifying and correcting problem areas and/or the improvement of services.
• Coordinate physical therapy with other departments.
• Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals in accordance with the Facility's policies and procedures governing accidents and incidents.
• Conduct departmental performance evaluations in accordance with established policies and procedures in conjunction with the Rehabilitation Director.

Therapy and Consultation Functions

• Review request for physical therapy services and physicians' orders.
• Interview resident to determine type of treatments needed and schedule therapy, as ordered.
• Evaluate type of therapy most desirable after consulting with physician.
• Participate in the development and implementation or resident assessments (MDS) and care plans.
• Brief resident of procedures involved in physical therapy and prepare necessary equipment.
• Assist in transporting resident to and from physical therapy room or area.
• Demonstrate to residents and staff personnel, as necessary, the use of medical appliances involved in physical therapy (e.g., wheelchairs, crutches, canes, braces, and prosthetic appliances and devices).
• Perform physical therapy in resident's room, as necessary.
• Reassure resident before and during therapy treatment.
• Prepare resident for treatment by dress or position and administer physical therapy in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Determine proper equipment usage, application and body position, and make adjustments in the administration of physical therapy treatments (e.g., gait training, traction, whirlpool, etc.).
• Apply agents such as diathermy, ultrasound, infrared, massage, therapeutic exercise, etc., as required.
• Recommend modifications or changes in the resident's therapy program based on own evaluation of progress.
• Ensure that all therapist notes are informative, follow guidelines, and are descriptive of the care provided and of the resident's response to the care.
• Make rounds with attending physician and/or medical director, etc., as necessary.
• Encourage attending physician(s) to record and sign progress notes, as well as review treatment plans, etc. Review and sign plan of care (verbal order).

Staff Development

• Develop and participate in programs designed for in-service education, on the job training and orientation classes for newly assigned personnel. (Includes maintaining appropriate recordkeeping requirements of when classes were held, subject matter, attendance, etc.)
• Implement, and maintain an effective orientation program that orients the new employee to the department, its policies, and procedures, and to his/her job position and duties.
• Participate and assist in departmental studies and projects as assigned or that may become necessary.
• Attend and participate in workshops, seminars, etc., to keep abreast of current changes in the health care field, as well as to maintain a professional status as approved.
• Ensure that therapy personnel attend and participate in annual Facility in-service training programs as scheduled (e.g., OSHA, TB, HIPAA, Abuse Prevention, Safety, Infection Control, etc.).

Safety and Sanitation

• Assist in developing safety standards for the physical therapy department.
• Ensure that physical therapy personnel, residents, visitors, etc., follow established policies and procedures at all times, including appropriate dress codes.
• Be alert for resident safety during all therapy.
• Ensure that therapy personnel wear and/or use safety equipment and supplies when lifting or moving residents.
• Assist the Infection Control Coordinator in the development, implementation, and revision of written aseptic and isolation techniques.
• Assist in identifying and classifying departmental procedures that involve exposure to blood or body fluids. Update as necessary.
• Ensure that therapy personnel performing tasks that involve potential exposure to blood/body fluids participate in appropriate in-service training programs prior to performing such tasks.
• Ensure that adequate supplies of personal protective equipment are on hand and are readily available to personnel who perform procedures that involve exposure to blood or body fluids.
• Ensure that therapy personnel follow established infection control procedures when performing duties.
• Inspect physical therapy areas and practices for compliance with current applicable regulations at least monthly.
• Ensure that the therapy area is maintained in a clean and safe manner for resident comfort and convenience by assuring that necessary equipment and supplies are maintained to perform such duties and services.
• Follow reporting procedures when observing any hazardous conditions or equipment.
• Report missing and illegible labels or MSDSs to the safety officer or other designated person.
• Equipment and Supply Functions
• Recommend to the Rehabilitation Director the equipment and supply needs of the department.
• Provide necessary material and equipment for resident to perform required therapy.
• Develop and implement procedures that ensure physical therapy supplies are used in an efficient manner to avoid waste.
• Ensure that MSDSs are on file for hazardous chemicals used in the therapy department.
• Ensure that all personnel operate physical therapy equipment in a safe manner.
• Develop and implement procedures for the safe operation of all physical therapy equipment.

Care Plan and Assessment Functions

• Assist in developing physical therapy plans for individual residents in coordination and conjunction with the resident assessment (MDS).
• Review the physical therapy requirements of each resident admitted to the Facility and assist the attending physician in planning for the resident's care.
• Involve the resident and family in planning objectives and goals for the resident.
• Ensure that care plans indicate physical therapy when such therapy is ordered.
• Participate in the development and implementation of care plans.

Budget and Planning Functions

• Prepare and plan the occupational therapy budget with the Rehabilitation Director and submit to the Administrator for their review, recommendations, and/or approval.
• Keep abreast of economic conditions and situations, and recommend to the Rehabilitation Director and Administrator adjustments in physical therapy that ensure the continued ability to provide quality care.

Resident Rights

• Ensure that all physical therapy personnel are knowledgeable of the residents' responsibilities and rights including the right to refuse treatment.
• Ensure that therapy personnel honor the resident's refusal of treatment request. Report such requests to the Director of Nursing Services.
• Abide by the resident's participation in treatment decision.
• Inform the resident of consequences of not participating in prescribed therapy and document such action in the resident's clinical record.
• Review complaints and grievances made by the resident, families, and/or visitors and make oral or written reports to the Administrator Rehabilitation Director indicating what action(s) were taken to resolve the complaint or grievance.
• Maintain a written record of the resident's complaints and/or grievances that indicates the action taken to resolve the complaint and the current status of the complaint.
• Allow the resident to participate in the planning and scheduling of his or her treatment.
• Must adhere to all HIPAA requirements.

Working Conditions

• Works in office areas, therapy rooms, resident rooms, etc.
• Is involved with physicians, residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.
• Communicates with the medical staff, nursing personnel, and other department directors.
• Is subject to exercising and massaging residents.
• Must be constantly alert for resident safety.
• Attends and participates in continuing educational programs as may be required by current regulations.
• Is subject to lifting, carrying, and supporting residents.
• Maintains a liaison with the residents, their families, other departments, etc., to adequately plan for the resident's physical therapy needs.

Education

Must possess, as a minimum, a Bachelor's Degree in Physical Therapy from an accredited college or university.

Experience

• Must have, experience in a therapist capacity in a hospital, nursing care facility, or other related medical facility.
• Must have training in rehabilitative and restorative therapy practices.
• Must have a current valid state license.

Specific Requirements

• Must possess a current, unencumbered license to practice as a Physical Therapist in this state.
• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action in a timely fashion.
• Must be knowledgeable of physical therapy procedures.
• Must possess leadership and supervisory ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with and supervise other personnel.
• Must possess the ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies, procedures, etc., of the physical therapy service.
• Must maintain the care and use of supplies, equipment, etc., and maintain the appearance of therapy areas.
• Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing therapy services.
• Must be able to relate information concerning a resident's condition.

Physical and Sensory Requirements

(With or Without a Reasonable Accommodation)

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to assure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.
• Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of the Facility, which may include a medical and physical examination.
• Based on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Guidelines for Nursing Homes Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders and the American Conference Governmental Industrial Hygienists' Threshold Limit Values for Lifting the Facility has identified that this job may require the lifting of residents, equipment, or other objects. Accordingly, this job may require a minimum of 5 pounds and a maximum of 45 pounds lifting, periodically and or as needed.

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