Physical Therapist

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive  initial evaluations that include medical history review, functional assessment, range-of-motion testing, strength testing, flexibility assessment, gait analysis, balance testing, and evaluation of movement patterns.

• Identify physical impairments, functional limitations, and contributing factors and establish appropriate physical therapy diagnoses within the therapist's scope of practice.

• Develop individualized  treatment plans based on evaluation findings, patient goals, medical history, functional needs, and current evidence-based practice.

• Provide skilled therapeutic interventions, including therapeutic exercise, neuromuscular re-education, manual therapy, functional training, stretching, strengthening, mobility activities, and other appropriate physical therapy techniques.

• Treat patients recovering from orthopedic surgeries such as joint replacements, ligament repairs, tendon repairs, fracture fixation, and other musculoskeletal procedures.

• Manage patients with common orthopedic and sports-related conditions, including osteoarthritis, tendinopathies, sprains, strains, low back pain, neck pain, shoulder disorders, knee injuries, hip conditions, and other musculoskeletal impairments.

• Monitor patient progress throughout the episode of care and modify treatment plans, exercises, goals, and interventions based on changes in functional status and clinical presentation.

• Educate patients and caregivers regarding diagnosis, prognosis, treatment expectations, proper exercise techniques, body mechanics, injury prevention, posture, ergonomics, and strategies for maintaining progress outside the clinic.

• Develop and instruct patients in individualized  home exercise programs , ensuring that exercises are appropriate, clearly explained, and safely performed.

• Utilize appropriate modalities and adjunctive treatments when indicated and consistent with professional standards, clinical judgment, and facility policies.

• Assess functional mobility and movement mechanics and provide training to improve gait, balance, coordination, endurance, strength, and performance of daily activities.

• Establish measurable short-term and long-term goals in collaboration with patients and regularly assess progress toward those goals.

• Communicate effectively with referring physicians, surgeons, athletic trainers, occupational therapists, physical therapist assistants, and other members of the healthcare team regarding patient status and treatment recommendations.

• Recognize changes in patient condition and appropriately refer patients back to their physician or another healthcare professional when additional medical evaluation is warranted.

• Maintain accurate, timely, and complete documentation, including evaluations, daily treatment notes, progress reports, reassessments, discharge summaries, and other required clinical records.

• Manage a productive outpatient caseload while maintaining high standards of patient safety, quality of care, and individualized attention.

• Follow all applicable federal, state, professional, organizational, privacy, and safety requirements governing physical therapy practice.

• Participate in clinical education, staff meetings, quality-improvement initiatives, and professional development activities as appropriate.

• Maintain current knowledge of orthopedic rehabilitation techniques, clinical guidelines, exercise prescription, manual therapy approaches, and emerging evidence relevant to outpatient physical therapy.