PRN Physical Therapist - Home Health

Job Description Summary:

The physical therapist contracted or employed by the agency is responsible for providing physical therapy services and for adherence to all conditions defined in the Service Agreement.

Responsibilities:

1) Provide physical therapy services to client according to a physician’s written orders. This may include, but is not limited to the following:

a) Assess and evaluate therapeutic/rehabilitative/functional status.

b) Develop a plan of care and treatment making sure plan of care is consistent with

assessment.

c) Participate in the development of the client’s total plan of treatment.

d) Assess the home environment especially as it relates to fall risk and interventions and

home safety.

e) Assess for muscle strength, mobility, gait, and range of motion.

f) Assess for potential for rehabilitation.

g) Assess for pain as appropriate for client

h) Direct physical therapy treatment.

i) Select appropriate assistive devices

j) Provide gait training as required.

k) Develop home exercise program as needed.

l) Instruct client and family or caregivers in the use and care of therapeutic appliances.

m) Report client’s response to treatment or changes in condition to the Director of Nursing

and physician.

2) Initiate physical therapy program and instructs other personnel and/or family members and caregivers in specific phases of physical therapy with which they may assist with the client care. 

3) Instruct other personnel and/or family members and caregivers on the goals of the physical therapy program.

4) Participate in client case conferences.

5) Teach/educate client in the use of prosthetic device as required.

6) Assist in identifying client and family/caregiver needs for other home health services and reports these needs to the Director of Nursing.

7) Prepare and submit clinical and progress summaries based on identified and attained goals. A copy of the summaries will be submitted to the Director of Nursing.

8) Participate in discharge planning, as appropriate.

9) Provide in-service education for agency personnel, as needed.

10) Supervise physical therapy assistant(s), if needed, in accordance with organization policy and state regulations.

11) Assure compliance with all local, state and federal laws and regulations. 

Qualifications:

1) Graduated with a master’s or higher degree in physical therapy from an accredited physical therapy program.

2) Passed a National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and/or state examination as required by the state regulation.

3) Fulfilled any other state required examination.

4) Compliant with continuing education, if required by state as a condition of maintaining licensure.

5) Comply with any state mandated Physical Therapy Practice Act and other legal mandates 

6) Licensed or certified to practice as a physical therapist as required by the state.

7) Two (2) years of appropriate experience as a physical therapist. Community/home health experience is preferred.

8) Strong interpersonal skills.

9) Strong knowledge of physical therapy principles, theory, methods and evidence based practice

10) Comply with accepted professional, ethical and legal standards of practice.

11) Excellent customer service skills and ability to deal tactfully with clients, and staff.

12) Treat clients, families and staff with courtesy and respect.

13) Adhere to HIPAA and maintain client confidentiality.

Environment, Personal Protective Equipment or Physical Demands

Environment:

Contact with clients under a wide variety of circumstances. Care provided in client’s living environment with varying situations or in an institution such as a hospital. May be

required to respond to emergency situations. Travel required.

Position includes tasks that have the potential for exposure to

blood and other potentially infectious material (OPIM) such as

body fluids/tissues.

Personal Protective Equipment: May include gloves, mask, eye/face protection, and disposable outer covering or lab coat.

Physical Requirements : Must be able to stand walk, squat, bend, kneel, crouch, lift, reach, twist, push and pull. Varied assistance is required

depending on the ability of the client. Must be able to lift at

least 50 pounds. Visual and hearing acuity required. 

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