Physical Therapist, Outpatient, South Bay (per diem)

Outpatient Physical Therapist, South Bay

Location: Dorchester, MA

Schedule: Per Diem

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Rehabilitation Therapies Supervisor/Manager, the Staff Physical Therapist conducts comprehensive assessments of in and outpatients with physical and functional deficits, planning and implementing individual/group physical therapy treatments to promote mobility, reduce pain, restore function, prevent permanent disability and restore independence, using various treatment techniques. Collaborates with other disciplines to arrange for appropriate follow-up care and facilitates a successful return to home and work environments. Provides student training according to departmental guidelines and participates in continuous education.

Essential Responsibilities / Duties:

• Conducts physical therapy evaluation procedures according to professional and departmental guidelines.
• Responds to all consults in assigned area within 24 hours; completes evaluation and documentation within 24 hours of consult (IP).
• Reviews patient records, gathers necessary information, and obtains a physician's order prior to assessing the patient.
• Selects evaluation procedures that reflect understanding of the patient's diagnosis, abilities, and limitations.
• Administers evaluation procedures according to the guidelines of standardized tests (including range of motion, manual muscle testing, mobility, air entry and breath sounds); adapts evaluation procedures as indicated to accommodate the specific needs of patients.
• Interprets evaluation results, develops an integrated diagnostic impression, and makes recommendations.
• Performs re-evaluations according to departmental policies, change in patient's status or response to treatment.
• Educates patient and caregiver regarding evaluation findings and management of care recommendations.

• Establishes treatment goals and plans that reflect the needs of the patients while meeting departmental, institutional, and third party reimbursement requirements.
• Formulates treatment goals and plans that reflect the patient's unique psychological and functional deficits.
• Establishes measurable and attainable short and long-term goals in collaboration with patient and/or caregiver.
• Modifies goals as warranted by changes in patient's status.
• Assesses discharge needs of the patient and caregiver, including but not limited to: insurance issues, equipment needs, follow-up appointments, and appropriate use of community services.
• Communicates patient care and discharge needs to team members as needed. Arranges for appropriate follow-up.

• Implements comprehensive individual and group treatment. Consistently demonstrates clinical competence.
• Establishes treatment priorities based on evaluation results and the specific needs of the patients.
• Uses creative treatment approaches and explores alternative solutions to individual patient problems.
• Demonstrates clinical problem solving skills with a variety of patient problems and substantiates actions taken.
• Progresses patient treatment programs appropriately and terminates them as warranted by patient's progress and condition.
• Recommends and/or issues appropriate assistive devices or durable medical equipment, ensuring that it properly fits the patient.
• Develops and instructs patient and caregiver in home programs and/or use of recommended equipment; provides verbal and/or written instructions as indicated.
• Establishes and maintains a therapeutic relationship with all patients.
• Demonstrates ability to engage patients in treatment, provides reinforcement and support; sets limits appropriately.
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age groups regularly served.
• Notifies supervisor/manager when patients in age groups not regularly served are present, and seeks assistance from individuals with the knowledge of the specialized needs of such patient age groups.
• Adheres to diagnosis-related precautions. Demonstrates good judgment in handling potentially hazardous situations, seeking assistance as necessary.
• Assigns appropriate patients to Physical Therapist Assistant and Rehabilitation and/or Co-op Aide. Seeks feedback.
• Monitors clinical supplies on assigned floors, requesting replacements in a timely manner.

• Complies with departmental, institutional, and accrediting agency policies and standards.
• Completes area specific documentation (including letters, re-evaluations) in an accurate thorough and timely manner according to department standards scoring an average of 95% or greater on each indicator.
• Issues supplies/adaptive equipment in a cost-effective manner. Justifies issuance of equipment, demonstrates actual use by patient. Looks for alternative solutions.
• Completes patient care charges accurately.
• Meets area specific productivity standards at least 95% of the time. Identifies problems and makes adjustments to meet targeted productivity.
• Participates in the peer review process. Completes form thoroughly, gives meaningful and constructive feedback, and provides learning experience to peer.
• Completes mandatory requirements (including PPD, competencies, and safety/infection control tests, CPR, and license renewal) within given time frame.

• Shows evidence of on-going professional growth and knowledge of regulations and standards.
• Initiates independent learning opportunities, seeks out and integrates new information in daily practice. Communicates learning needs to supervisor.
• Stays current with advances in physical therapy treatments and techniques through attendance of professional meetings, continuing education, and reading of current literature.
• Shows knowledge of professional federal and state rules and regulations governing the practice of physical therapy.
• Assumes responsibility and accountability for the care of the patients being treated by the physical therapist assistant.
• Directs and supervises the rehabilitation and/or coop aide consistent with the State Practice Act in a safe and effective manner.

• Participates in the development and evaluation of physical therapy programs
• Identifies assigned rotation/floor needs and communicates with senior therapists and supervisor. Contributes to the development and updating of unit files and other pertinent resource material.
• Assists in developing and achieving area goals.
• Collects data required to complete research projects, clinical outcome studies, and departmental quality improvement projects in compliance with established department standards.
• Contributes to the assessment, planning, and implementation of physical therapy programs in collaboration with supervisor and peers.

• Collaborates with colleagues and other professionals to provide high quality patient care.
• Serves as clinical resource for other health care professionals on assigned floors.
• Works as part of the rehabilitation therapy team, helping and supporting staff members as needed; listens to and seeks feedback from others; shares knowledge with others in positive manner; expresses opinions clearly. Accommodates to change by being adaptable and flexible and maintains professional demeanor during periods of stress. Assumes a leadership role and takes charge in difficult situations.
• Attends and participates in all mandatory department meetings. Arrives prepared and on time.
• Accepts and completes additional assignments as requested by supervisor, including membership in department and hospital task forces and committees.
• Provides at least one evidence-based area in-service annually. Provides in-services to other hospital personnel as requested.
• Prepares for a verbal presentation using peer-reviewed journals and presents this information in a clear, organized, and concise manner.
• Participates responsibly in the supervisory process, follows through on suggestions and recommendations, and utilizes supervision time for own professional growth. Comes prepared to supervisory meets.
• Develops and meets annual goals with a high quality of performance.

• Orients medical professional staff and the community to physical therapy. Supervises physical therapy students.
• Participates in pre-affiliation, class related, or other observation experiences.
• Orients medical professional staff and students and the community (e.g. volunteers, high school initiatives).
• Shows leadership and flexibility by taking students despite a new or challenging rotation.
• Takes additional physical therapy students to help meet the needs of the department/students.
• If not eligible to take own students, assists with occasional supervision of other clinical instructor's students. Provides a well-rounded learning experience for affiliating physical therapy students.
• Assesses the learning needs of assigned physical therapy students and provides training in patient evaluation and treatment procedures as practiced on assigned units.
• Facilitates development of clinical problem solving skills of the affiliating students by asking probing questions.
• Schedules weekly meetings with assigned students providing growth-promoting feedback and learning experiences.
• Keeps student program coordinator