Physical Therapist (Full-Time)

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY

Provides appropriate patient care to clients including inpatients, outpatients or contracted services such as nursing homes or home health care. Administers therapeutic treatments utilizing physical agents, biomechanical and neurophysiological principles and assistive devices in relieving pain, restoring maximum functions and preventing disability following disease or injury in accordance with the philosophy, goals and objectives of Pender Community Hospital.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Reviews physician referrals (prescription) and patient's condition and medical records to determine physical therapy treatment required.
• Plans, prepares, or revises written treatment programs based on evaluation of patient data including, but not limited to testing and measuring patient's strength, motor development, sensory perception, functional capacity, posture, and respiratory and circulatory efficiency and records findings to develop or revise treatment programs.
• Based on evaluation the Therapist administers, instructs, motivates, and assists patients to perform various physical activities (including home exercise programs) and proper use of orthotic devices, assistive and supportive devices such as crutches, canes, prosthesis, etc.
• Evaluates effects of treatment at various stages and adjusts treatments to achieve maximum benefit, then records treatment, response, and progress in patient's chart.
• Confers with physician and other practitioners to obtain additional patient information, suggest revisions in treatment programs and integrate physical therapy treatment with other aspects of patient's health care.
• Follows contract and policies and procedures of said facility.
• Administers appropriate exercises to improve function.
• Instructs, motivates and assists patient to perform various physical activities and in use of orthotic devices, assistive and supportive devices such as crutches, canes, prosthesis, etc.
• Services shall be rendered pursuant establishment of a Plan of Care and periodically reviewed by the patient's physician describing the type, duration and frequency of Physical Therapy services provided.
• Prepares and maintains accurate and appropriate records of services provided to each patient as required by law, Medicare or any other 3rd party reimbursement.
• Records any service contracts provided such as nursing home facilities and home health agencies and hospice agencies per contract.
• Develops standards by which staff Physical Therapists will follow within the workplace.
• Orients staff and student Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants, along with Physical Therapist Aides
• Performs sport screens on local athletes at the hospital, school or sporting event within the Physical Therapy scope or practice.
• Performs balance testing.
• Makes recommendations for assistive devices or wheelchairs, living arrangements, and home assessment.
• Conducts home assessments upon request and make recommendation for home modifications to patient and family and educates them on home safety.
• Participates in team meetings and follow-up visits.
• Provides any additional Physical Therapy services within the PT scope of practice in which the Staff Physical Therapist is trained.
• Complete treatment plan to meet regulatory guidelines.
• Incorporates plans for discharge in treatment plan in collaboration with patient and support system.
• Educates family and/or support system to functional needs and equipment/resources to meet these needs.
• Utilizes outcome measurements to objectively assess effectiveness of treatment interventions.
• Evaluates patient's treatment goals and adjusts plan of care according to patient condition.
• Documents assessment, treatment goals, and plan of care according to regulatory guidelines.
• Maintains knowledge of regulations and fiscal changes to optimize organizational resources.
• Assures the safety and efficacy of equipment used to provide rehab services.
• Communicates and collaborates effectively with other health team members regarding patient condition, nursing plan of care, patient satisfaction needs and recommendations for meeting identified outcomes.
• Follows approved shift report format when communicating patient information.
• Identifies and recognizes abnormal symptoms/changes in patient condition, established priorities, and takes appropriate action. Appropriately reports condition changes to medical provider.
• Attends and participates in family conferences, patient care conferences, medical rounds and as required by areas of services to eastablish goals, formulate discharge summaries and follow-up plans, including home programs
• Administers treatments and procedures in a timely and safe manner according to physician orders and nursing policy, including appropriate performance of standard precautions, using two patient identifiers, and performing patient risk assessments every shift.
• Utilizes proper body mechanics, transfer/lifting techniques to minimize fall risk to patient and injury to self.
• Uses National Patient Safety Goals (for critical access hospitals) to ensure patient safety.
• Implements infectious disease controls as appropriate including isolation procedures, proper use of hand washing and gloves.
• Follows proper procedures for wasting narcotics and disposal of sharps and hazardous materials.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Hours:  Minimum 36 hours/week; Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm; rotating weekends; 8 hour shifts

Education, Experience:

• Graduate of an accredited Physical Therapy Program
• Doctoral Level PT Degree (preferred), Master's accepted.

Certificates, Licensure, Registrations:

• Active Physical Therapy licensure
• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) preferred
• Valid Driver's License

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required:

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide
• Ability to generate, read, interpret, and take action as it relates to basic financial statements, national and state regulations, safety rulings, operational and maintenance and organizational policies / procedures
• Ability to write reports and correspondence
• Ability to effectively present information to patients, families, employees, health care providers, etc...
• Ability to work cooperatively and communicate effectively to maintain good working relationships with staff and health care providers
• Ability to work with skill in identifying problems

  EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, MATERIALS

• Knowledge of computer hardware equipment and software applications relevant to work functions.