Physical Therapist

Physical Therapist

Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

Description

The staff physical therapist provides services that help restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or disease. The physical therapist will develop an individualized treatment program and deliver services that restore, maintain, and promote overall fitness and health assuring the highest quality patient care and confidentiality. These services are delivered in compliance with Vicar's Landing's ethical standards and policies and procedures as well as in accordance with current applicable federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations.

Essential duties and responsibilities include:

• Upon receiving a physician referral, the staff physical therapist will effectively gather pertinent data from appropriate sources (patient, family, medical records, nursing) and conduct an initial evaluation thereby developing comprehensive goals in accordance with current scientific and clinical knowledge and the patients' personal objectives.
• Utilizes appropriate clinical judgment to apply indications and contraindications according to patient diagnosis and standard operating procedures. Update and modify established plan of care based on the patient's response to treatment and changes in the discharge plan.
• Document functional, objective information on a timely basis, using correct medical terminology in a clear, concise, organized, accurate, appropriate, and legible manner.
• Demonstrates knowledge of growth and development of the geriatric patient and possesses the ability to assess data. Be able to develop and interpret appropriate information based on clinical findings needed to identify each patient's requirements reflective of his/her individual needs and provide care needed by using current accepted principles, practices, and theoretical models of the profession.
• Demonstrates professional conduct and ethics according to Vicar's Landing's policies and procedures, in conjunction with federal, state, and local guidelines and practices.
• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability through the ability to handle multiple work demands and variable schedules/caseloads in a reasonable amount of time.
• Exhibits the ability to adjust and modify priorities and personal behaviors based on the situation and works and communicates effectively with a variety of people.
• Accurately assess own strengths and weaknesses and assist in developing an action plan and goals to improve self.
• Proactively seeks out new knowledge and actively pursues learning using a variety of methods to maintain and update clinical skills and competence. Completes the appropriate number of continuing education credits to maintain licensure.
• Manage support personnel in a professional, objective manner, always demonstrating dignity and respect for others, providing consistent, effective, and constructive feedback when appropriate.
• Actively promotes safety compliance within the facility, reporting potential risks. Seeks ways to improve safety measures. Follows policies and procedures regarding all safety issues, including, but not limited to: Infection control, Body Mechanics, Transfers, Knowledge of fire/disaster procedures, patient/visitor/staff injuries or accidents.
• Perform any other related duties as required or assigned.

Qualifications

Skills, abilities, and competencies:

• Graduate of APTA or CAPTE-approved physical therapy program. Experience in working with the geriatric population preferred.
• Graduate from an accredited program of physical therapy, culminating in a minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree.
• Valid physical therapy license in the state of Florida.
• Current certification in CPR
• 2+ years' experience in the field of physical therapy, specifically with the geriatric population.

Special qualifications:

• Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills to educate patients regarding their physical therapy treatments, to communicate with patients' families/caregivers, as well as other staff.
• Should be compassionate and possess a desire to help patients.
• Must be able to deal with difficult situations and make appropriate decisions as they occur.
• Must have the ability to cope with continual interruptions and display a large degree of tact when dealing with physicians, patients, associates, visitors, and the community.
• Can follow directions, retain learned information, cooperate, and function as part of a team.
• Strong organizational/time management skills.
• Accepts change as beneficial to the organization, department, and patients.
• Thorough understanding of and be able to read, write, and speak English.

Working conditions:

Works indoors in a temperature-controlled environment on a carpeted and/or tiled surface. May be exposed to occasional slippery floors, objects on floors, chemicals, and sharp objects. May be exposed to hazardous materials, blood-borne pathogens, and communicable diseases. May be subjected to stressful situations.

Physical qualifications:

Demonstrates ability to work at a fast pace. The job can be physically demanding as therapists often have to stoop, kneel, crouch, lift, and stand for long periods. In addition, physical therapists move heavy equipment and lift patients or help them turn, stand, or walk. Must be able to maneuver upper body adequately to lift 1-25 pounds on a regular basis from floor to waist; from waist to overhead lift up to 10 pounds. Ability to carry up to 25 pounds with assistance if needed. Must always demonstrate good body mechanics.

May not pose a threat to the health and safety of others in the workplace. Must know limits to physical strength and secure and direct assistance when needed. Must be drug free as proven through drug testing prior to initial hire and every year thereafter.

Physical demands:

While performing the essential functions of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, talk hear, and occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, and crouch. Employee must have excellent balance and be able to climb a ladder and walk around a roof. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds and be able to work at heights. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close, distance, and peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus as well as work on a computer for extended periods of time. The employee must be able to communicate verbally with other on the phone or in person.