Physical Therapist

Grace and MercyHome Care Services, LLC Physical Therapist Reports to: Director of Patient Services Department: Therapy Time / Status: Per Diem / Full Time Based on Company Needs Responsibilities Plan, prepare, and carry out individually designed programs of physical treatment to maintain, improve or restore physical functioning, alleviate pain, and prevent physical dysfunction in patients. Review physician's referral and patient's medical records to determine diagnosis and physical therapy treatment required. Perform and document an initial exam, evaluating the data to identify problems and determine the form of treatment prior to intervention. Obtain patients' informed consent to proposed interventions. Confer with the patient, medical practitioners, and appropriate others to plan, implement, and assess the intervention program. Provide information to the patient about the proposed intervention, its material risks, and expected benefits and any reasonable alternatives. Test, measure, and document patient's strengths, motor development and function, sensory perception, functional capacity, and respiratory and circulatory efficiency. Inform the patient when diagnosis reveals findings outside their scope and refer to an appropriate practitioner. Administer manual exercises, massage, and/or traction to help relieve pain, increase the patient's strength, and decrease or prevent deformity and crippling. Instruct patient and family, where possible, in treatment procedures to be continued at home. Orient Home Health Aides to help patients perform prescribed exercises and supervise them when necessary. Administer treatment using equipment and machines when necessary. Direct and supervise supportive personnel, assessing their competence, delegating specific tasks to them and establishing channels of communication. Record prognosis, treatment, response, and progress in patient's folder or enter information into computer. Evaluate effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefit. Evaluate, fit, and adjust prosthetic and orthotic devices and recommend modification to orthotist. Provide educational information about physical therapy and physical therapists, injury prevention, ergonomics, and ways to promote health. Refer patients to community resources and services when necessary. Recommend group rehabilitation activities if necessary. Identify and document goals, anticipated progress, and plans for reevaluation. Discharge patient from physical therapy when goals or projected outcomes have been attained and provide for appropriate follow-up care or referrals. Conduct and support research and apply research findings to practice. Help Director of Patient Services to formulate agency policy for physical therapy. Participate in general agency and nursing meetings as needed. * Duties are not restricted to the above-mentioned. Qualifications Must be currently licensed by and registered with the New York State Education Department. Must possess a degree in physical therapy from a college. Must have at least one year experience in home care. Must be able to relate appropriately to, communicate effectively with, and develop trusting relationships with a diverse patient population and with staff. Must be able and willing to work on an as-needed basis to meet operational needs of the agency. #J-18808-Ljbffr