Physical Therapist - Home Health

Summary The Physical Therapist plans and administers medically prescribed physical therapy treatments for patients suffering from injuries, or muscle, nerve, joint, and bone diseases, in an effort to restore function, relieve pain, and prevent disability by performing the following duties: Providing education and information to patients and caregivers. Participating in required discharge planning and completing all required documentation according to policy. Directing patient participation in selected tasks to restore, reinforce, and enhance performance. Responsibilities Review physician's referral, patient's condition, and medical records to determine the required physical therapy treatment. Test and measure patient’s strength, motor development, sensory perception, functional capacity, respiratory, and circulatory efficiency, recording findings to develop and/or revise treatment programs. For managed care patients, report to the Managed Care Liaison the patient's initial admission assessment and plan of care to obtain preauthorization for frequency of visits based on needed skills; report patient status and progress for further authorization. Perform home health aide supervisory visits every 14 days at the patient’s home when the aide is present; in the aide’s absence, assess relationships and review care plans to determine when goals are met or to justify the need for continuation of home health aid services. Perform LPTA supervisory visits every 30 days or every 12 visits, whichever comes first; in the LPTA’s absence, assess relationships and review care plans similarly. Supervise the Home Health Aide in cases where no Registered Nurse is involved. Plan a variety of sensorimotor, educational, recreational, and social activities to provide physical therapy to patients ranging from adolescents to geriatrics. Teach patients the skills and techniques required for participation in physical therapy. Evaluate patient progress, attitudes, and behaviors on an ongoing basis. Evaluate the effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefit. Prepare reports summarizing patient reactions to therapy. Conduct internal training programs for medical and nursing staff on physical therapy techniques and objectives. Initiate collaborative interactions with physicians and other hospital staff to improve patient care outcomes. Meet productivity expectations and positively assist the department in achieving financial goals. Instruct the patient, and their family as necessary, in the procedures to be continued at home. Orient, instruct, and direct the work activities of assistants, aides, and students. Teach the patient and/or their family about the patient’s care needs, disease process, and health maintenance measures. Complete the Start of Care Assessment within 48 hours; evaluations must be completed within 24 hours. Ensure that discharge summaries and OASIS are completed and entered in the current software system within 48 hours of known discharge. Ensure that the patient’s medical record reflects the instructions given to patient and/or caregiver, emergency measures initiated upon admission, medication treatment regimen, and the patient/caregiver’s response to the plan of care. Ensure compliance with OSHA’s bag technique and truck supplies protocol per agency policy. Advise the Rehabilitation Coordinator and/or the Clinical Nurse Manager of potential adverse patient situations. Attend required hospital-wide orientations, meetings, and in-service sessions. Supervisory Responsibilities Reports to: Home Health Clinical Coordinator or Nurse Manager. Supervises: May provide direction to Physical Therapy Assistants and other Rehabilitation Support Staff. Responsibilities: Train employees; plan, assign, and direct work; address complaints and resolve problems. Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Education and Experience Minimum required education: Doctorate in Physical Therapy from an accredited program, a Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy with 5 years of experience, or a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy with 10 years of experience. Preferred education: Not applicable. Experience: One (1) or more years’ experience as a Physical Therapist in a Home Health environment. Previous experience is preferred, but new PhD graduates will be considered. Certificates, Licenses, Registrations Applicants must hold a current license to practice Physical Therapy in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Applicants must also be certified to administer CPR for patients in restraints or seclusion. #J-18808-Ljbffr