Physical Therapist

Job Description

Job Description

Physical Therapist

Ft. Meade, MD

Position Duties and Responsibilities:

• Advanced musculoskeletal evaluation: A Physical Therapist in this setting is functioning in an expanded role, which requires the ability to independently perform patient assessments and complete accurate differential diagnosis. This process is in addition to standard physical therapy rehabilitation evaluations and focuses on test results and measurements. The Physical Therapist must be able to differentiate musculoskeletal from non-musculoskeletal complaints, surgical from non-surgical conditions and identify “red flag” conditions that warrant immediate referral to specialty providers. This expanded scope of practice includes but is not limited to issuing profiles (activity restrictions), placing personnel on quarters, assessing the need for medications and diagnostic testing (x-rays, bone scan, MRI). This places an increased level of responsibility on the Physical Therapist for overall patient management than compared to civilian counterparts (substantially more than having to develop and implement a rehabilitation only plan of care).
• General Physical Therapy Evaluation: In addition to the above outlined advanced musculoskeletal evaluation requirements, the Physical Therapist will evaluate the functional and physical capacity of referred inpatients and outpatients with a variety of diagnosis, functional and cognitive abilities. The Physical Therapist will perform and interpret results of subjective and objective findings to include manual muscle tests, reflex tests, sensory tests, joint motion tests, joint stability tests, strength, range of motion, functional assessments, and a variety of special exams and tests. The Physical Therapist evaluates and re- evaluates the patients’ responses to treatment and progresses treatment plans accordingly. The Physical Therapist revises treatment plans or refers appropriately when patients fail to respond or show adverse reactions to treatment. Extensive use of judgment, patient/family education, professional interactions and refined observation and treatment skills are required. Effective time and patient management skills are required to efficiently supervise the physical therapy care of several individuals simultaneously. Primary diagnosis seen include a wide variety of inpatient and outpatient orthopedic conditions such as sprains, strains, overuse injuries, arthritis, spinal pain and fractures. Post-surgical orthopedics include; ligament reconstruction, soft tissue surgery, surgical fixation of fractures, and joint replacement. Additional diagnosis include but are not limited to chronic pain, Parkinson, Multiple Sclerosis, reconditioning, poor balance, burns, chronic wounds, and Myocardial Infarction.
• Rehabilitation and exercise prescription: The Physical Therapist will develop and implement progressive and comprehensive treatment plans based on their evaluation findings. The treatment plan of care emphasizes patient education, patient active involvement in self-care, and implementation of advanced physical therapy treatment and manual therapy techniques. Additionally, the Physical Therapist will exercise professional judgment in planning and administering physical therapy to general medical, surgical, and orthopedic patients with single and multiple disabilities. Treatment techniques include a full range of treatment procedures using heat, light, water, ultrasound, electric stimulation, massage, joint mobilization, therapeutic exercise muscle/joint strengthening, aquatic therapy, gait training and isokinetic and functional training. The Physical Therapist evaluates the patients’ responses to treatment and modifies or progresses the treatment plan accordingly. The Physical Therapist will delegate and supervise treatment tasks to appropriate clinic personnel such as physical therapy assistants and physical therapy technicians and Red Cross Volunteers.
• Serve as clinical instructor of affiliating military and civilian Physical Therapist and Physical Therapy Assistant students. Specific responsibilities include development of student affiliation calendar, completion of performance counseling, student mentoring and professional development, ensure complete and accurate documentation of University’s skills development tool and coordinate multi-disciplinary teaching. Provide direct education and clinical teaching of evaluation procedures, documentation skills, rehabilitative techniques, modality applications and assist in the development of other patient management skills for affiliating students.
• Mentor and provide professional role modeling for Physical Therapy Assistants, Red Cross Volunteers, High School students and Physical Therapy school applicants. Assists in teaching and assisting other health care workers and volunteers as noted above to perform selected rehabilitative treatment techniques, therapeutic modalities, functional training activities, and documentation tasks.
• Teach patients, family members and others in an individual or group format on a broad spectrum of physical therapy related topics to include but are not limited to therapeutic exercises, techniques to reduce joint and soft tissue stresses (joint sparring), appropriate body mechanics, fitness and exercise recommendations, injury prevention, healthy living and promotion of wellness. Assists in teaching and assisting other health care workers and Physical Therapists and Physical Therapy Assistant/Technician students to perform rehabilitative treatment techniques, therapeutic modalities, functional training activities, evaluation procedures and documentation tasks, and other patient management skills.
• Consult with numerous members of the health care team on issues of patient function, physical therapy indications, and response to physical therapy treatments. Interacts with clinic and hospital staff in a timely, articulate and professional manner that facilitates communications between professional staff, patients and referring departments and clinics. Team members include physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners, occupational therapists, nursing staff, discharge planners, case managers and allied health professionals.
• Participates in staff meetings and assist in conducting in-service education programs for peers, subordinates and other health care providers by presenting sound, research based methods of physical therapy treatment programs. Assists supervisor relative to patient care, patient education, safety, infection control, supply and equipment, and other administrative issues. Participates in instructional programs as directed to include orientation of new staff and students. Lifelong learner who improves skills, knowledge and researches new treatment techniques by reading current literature, attending professional meetings, lectures and continuing education offerings and self-study.
• Directly responsible for research, development, staffing, implementation and administration of at least two significant clinical programs such as aquatics, back class, ergonomic, transitional gym program, functional spinal stabilization, infection control, safety, and clinical equipment and modality standard operating procedures.
• The Physical Therapist shall maintain proper medical records IAW facility’s standard documentation procedures and AR 40-66. Documentation will be performed in a timely, accurate and legible manner. Prepare clinical, patient management, administrative and performance improvement reports as required.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Minimum to two (2) years current experience with at least 50% of those hours treating orthopedic and sports medicine conditions in an outpatient setting.  Current experience is defined as having worked in direct physical therapy patient care within the past five (5) years.  

• Shall be a graduate of a Physical Therapy program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, American Physical Therapy Association. At minimum, the Physical Therapist shall have a BS in Physical Therapy, master’s degree or Doctor of Physical Therapy preferred.
• Possess current certification in basic cardiac life support (BCLS).
• Must be able to demonstrate advanced competency in the efficient treatment and exercise progression for a variety of Orthopedic and Sports Medicine conditions to include sprains, strains, fractures and post-surgical orthopedic conditions. 
• Must be a US Citizen.

Potomac Healthcare Solutions offers the following benefits:

• Medical Insurance with PPO and HSA Options (United Healthcare)
• Dental Insurance (Humana)*
• Vision Insurance (Humana)*
• 401(k) with Employer Match
• Health Savings Account with Employer Match
• Prescription Drug Program
• Employer Paid Life Insurance and Short-Term Disability (Mutual of Omaha)*
• Voluntary Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability (Mutual of Omaha)*
• Relocation Assistance
• 10 Days Paid Time Off
• 11 Federal Holidays
• Continuing Education Assistance/License Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Incentives and More

NOTE: *Effective the 1st day of the month following start date

About Potomac Healthcare Solutions:
Potomac Healthcare Solutions is an award-winning, dynamic, and rapidly growing healthcare services company with a proven background in providing world-class health services for both government and commercial organizations. We are actively recruiting skilled, caring practitioners to support our rapidly growing program base and supported healthcare facilities. If you would like to be a part of a quality-driven organization and make a difference, we would like to talk to you!

If you do not find interest in this opportunity but know of someone who may, we kindly ask that you refer the individual to Potomac Healthcare Solutions by forwarding this job posting. 

Potomac Healthcare Solutions, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.

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