Physical Therapist

Physical Therapy

Provides and directs Physical Therapy services for residents/clients across Bethesda's care settings, including the Skilled Nursing Facility, Home Health, and Outpatient programs, including evaluation, treatment, development, and execution of therapy plans, and completion of all required documentation and communication. Works under physician orders and follows established standards of physical therapy, along with all facility policies, procedures, and state regulations.

Reports to: Director of Rehabilitation

Internal: SNF Administrator, Home Health and Hospice Director, Director of Nursing, Social Services, Human Resources, Accounts Payable, Billing.

External: Physicians, Medical Director, MDH personnel, CMS surveyors, hospital discharge planners, referral sources, patients and families, and the general community.

Full-time, Monday through Friday.

Clean, fitted scrubs in solid colors or simple pattern.

Minimum qualifications necessary to function at full productivity:

1. Education:

• Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from an accredited program
• Current accredited MN Physical Therapist License

2. Experience:

• One to three years of prior experience in a rehabilitation setting, such as acute care, inpatient rehab, outpatient clinics, SNFS, long-term care, assisted living, memory care, or home health.
• Familiarity with fall prevention strategies and mobility training for seniors
• The ability to use therapeutic techniques to help clients build or restore skills.
• Knowledge of State and Federal regulations.

3. Personal:

• Highly developed communication skills, both oral and written.
• Self-motivated with strong attention to detail.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to adapt to various work settings and changing priorities.
• Ability to work varying hours, including weekends and holidays.

Job Responsibilities:

• Optimize the physical abilities and skills of patients by performing or supervising therapy staff in the following activities: initiating referrals; evaluating and treating appropriate residents/clients; complying with Minimum Data Set procedures; effectively participating in the care planning process; appropriately documenting progress toward identified objectives and communicating resident/client status and needs to the resident/client, the residents/clients family, the staff and other professionals as appropriate.
• Conducts screenings of patients at regular intervals to determine need for intervention/treatment.
• Establishes individual patient schedules in conjunction with other team members.
• Develops treatment plans by identifying a problem list, including long and short-term goals and methods to achieve identified goals.
• Coordinates treatment plan with resident/client, family, and other team members.
• Implements and conducts treatment as outlined in the treatment plan.
• Monitors resident/client response to intervention and modifies treatment as indicated to attain goals in accordance with physicians' orders.
• Develops appropriate home or community programming to maintain and enhance the performance of the resident/client in his/her own environment.
• Documents results of patient's assessment, treatment, follow-up, and termination of services.
• Adapts treatment to meet the individual needs of the resident/client.
• Attend in-service training and facility meetings as required.
• Provides in-service education to the members of the resident/client care team and to members of the community.
• Assumes responsibility for ongoing continuing education and professional development.
• Consistently demonstrates sound judgment in the evaluation, planning, implementation, and follow-up of the resident/client therapy programs.
• Maintains positive relationships and rapport with coworkers, residents/clients, family members, and facility personnel.
• Follows universal precautions, facility infection control guidelines, sanitation and safety standards of practice in all work and activities.
• All duties will be performed in accordance with current standards, guidelines, state and federal regulations.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands of the Job:

• Standing and walking required for extended periods.
• Occasional kneeling, stooping, squatting, twisting, and bending.
• Infrequent lifting up to 50 pounds; occasional assistance with patient mobility as clinically appropriate.
• Sitting required for documentation, administrative, and computer-based tasks.

Professional and Personal Growth:

• Report for and leave the work area on a timely basis.
• Participate in the annual performance evaluation process.
• Participate in all required in-service programs at Bethesda.
• Maintain professional conduct and a positive, collaborative attitude toward staff, patients, and visitors.
• Be willing to learn and adapt to meet the evolving needs of the organization.