PACE Physical Therapist

Primary Accountability

The Physical Therapist for FHCN PACE evaluates and assesses participants to determine mobility level and other physical conditions and functional abilities. Provides and recommends therapeutic exercise, gait training, ambulation, etc. Plans and develops individual and group exercise programs for maintenance therapy for participants. Responsible for providing a comprehensive physical therapy program for participants of FHCN PACE, including development and oversight of functional maintenance programs and communicate data and information to the primary care staff and other Interdisciplinary team members.

Description of Primary Responsibilities:

1. Assessment: Collects patient data and completes required forms with appropriate responses according to department and industry standards; identifies participant’s overt problems/needs and sets priorities. Identifies problems requiring further referral and/or follow-up; observes and records latest diagnostic results; performs advanced physical therapy observations using critical thinking skills.
2. Planning Care: Develops a plan of care based on the physical therapy process which incorporates the plans of other disciplines and continuing care needs; includes the participant/family in developing or revising the plan of care; and makes referrals to interdisciplinary support services. Establishes realistic and measurable goals and sets up treatment plans to administer rehabilitation treatment. Initial and periodic assessments (minimally every 6 months) to be completed prior to the scheduled team meetings. Communicates participant changes to team members.
3. Implementing/Managing Care: Ensure that therapy being provided conforms to accepted industry practice standards and organizational/department standards; provide correct treatments/procedures and other care as prescribed and according to patient care standards. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of age-related characteristics, symptoms, and needs of participants served; explain physical therapy treatment and procedures in an appropriate way; provide participant and family education in rehabilitation needs and interventions; work with other therapists and primary care staff to provide patient care and to implement physician orders as necessary and as appropriate to physical therapy standards. Document all physical therapy treatment accurately and within departmental time requirements into patients’ charts. Understand and demonstrate respect for participant’s rights and utilize established mechanisms for the management of ethical issues in participant care. Plan and develop maintenance exercises and therapy programs for participants.
4. Participant/Family Education: Coordinate 24-hour care delivery and provide training to family members, friends, and FHCN PACE staff members for those parts of the treatment plan that can be carried out by them; make home visits as necessary for home-based interventions and observation.
5. Evaluation: Record participant care delivered as planned and any variation, with appropriate rationale. Make and record observations, as well as implement rehabilitation measures related to impending or associated problems.
6. Leadership: Provide supervision to program aides and other staff who are implementing a physical therapy treatment and/or maintenance program; integrate cost-effective measures into rehabilitation practice; recognize unit problems and take responsibility for documentation; demonstrate active participation in QI processes; comply with policies addressing safe working conditions; monitor unsafe working conditions and recognize inappropriate and/or ineffective participant care management, resolve issues/problems; complete written reports; fulfill call for department as assigned and adjust staffing for volume and acuity as necessary.
7. Interdisciplinary Team: Participate as an active and cooperative member of the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT). Attend staff meetings and take part in participant care planning.
8. Other projects and duties as assigned.

Description of Primary Attributes

Professional & Technical Knowledge:

Effective June 1, 2026, all individuals hired into the role must:

1. Possesses specific advanced knowledge and skills, including written and verbal communication skills, computational, computer, and technical skills, and mathematical knowledge, frequently acquired through one of the following:
   1. Completion of a Master’s degree program with a recognized major with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5; or
   2. Successful attainment and maintenance of a valid, active professional license required for the role, issued by the appropriate governing or regulatory body.
2. Performance of the duties and responsibilities of the job requires a candidate to possess an active physical therapist license issued by the Physical Therapy Board of California.
3. Work effectively in a team environment.
4. Document participant changes appropriately in the medical records and communicate participant changes to IDT in a timely manner.
5. Only act within the scope of his/her authority to practice.
6. Meet a standardized set of competencies for the specific position description established by FHCN PACE and approved by regulatory agencies before working independently.
7. Pass a criminal background which will verify that the candidate is: not excluded from participation in Medicare and Medicaid programs; has not been convicted of criminal offenses related to their involvement in Medicaid, Medicare, other health insurance or health care programs, or social services programs under title XX of the Act; and have not been convicted of physical, sexual, drug or alcohol abuse.
8. Completes orientation competency profile prior to direct participant care.
9. Individual therapy (psycho-social) techniques for geriatric participants.

Technical Skills:

1. Either have one year of experience working with a frail or elderly population or, in the absence of such experience, to receive appropriate training from the FHCN PACE on working with a frail or elderly population upon hiring.
2. Document participant changes appropriately in the medical records and communicate participant changes to IDT in a timely manner.
3. Completes competency profile prior to direct participant care.
4. Clinical competency with the geriatric population.
5. Appropriate and updated therapy equipment and technology, including aerobic and strength conditioning equipment tailored to senior population and use of mechanical assist devices.
6. Proper body mechanics to avoid work-related injuries, and the ability to educate other staff on proper body mechanics.
7. Ability to create highly complex documents in Microsoft Word, including linking multiple files and embedding objects linked to other documents.
8. Ability to use advanced functions of Microsoft Excel, such as creating and managing databases, including creating standardized reports, or linking multiple worksheets and workbooks.
9. Ability to develop sophisticated presentations in Microsoft PowerPoint, including the use of embedded objects, transitions, and other elements.
10. Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Licenses & Certifications:

1. Current Licensed Physical Therapist to practice in the required state.
2. Currently certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), if CPR is not current, will be granted 30 days from date of hire to schedule for next available CPR certification class provided by FHCN.
3. Be medically cleared for communicable diseases and have all immunizations up to date before engaging in direct participant contact.
4. Valid CA driver’s license and vehicle, or other approved means of transportation, and an acceptable driving record is required.

Communications Skills:

1. Job duties require the compilation and analysis of information prepared in effective written form, including correspondence, reports, articles or other documentation.
2. Duties require preparation and execution of presentations to large groups.
3. Communicate effectively and have interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Physical demands: The employee will be seeing elderly patients in a busy rehabilitation gym and Adult Day Health Center environment. As a Physical Therapist who will have significant hands-on care of participants, the usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions require the following physical demands: significant lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling, stooping, kneeling, crouching. Employee must be able to stand, bend, walk, and sit for extended periods of time, as well as work at the computer for long periods. Employee is required to use their hands and fingers, especially for typing on the computer and using the mouse. Employee may also, on occasion, have to assist with lifting participants, and help them turn, walk or stand.

Work Environment: Employee must be able to work effectively within an interdisciplinary team model, interfacing and collaborating with a wide range of clinical and social services disciplines who work together to manage the FHCN PACE members’ care. The work setting is primarily in the rehabilitation gym of an Adult Day Health Center and includes a primary care clinic environment with moderate noise levels and controlled office temperatures.

There will be a wide range of clinical and social services disciplines who work together to manage the FHCN PACE members’ care. The work setting is in an Adult Day Health Center and primary care clinic environment with moderate noise levels and controlled office temperatures.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit and use repetitive hand movement to type and grasp. The employee is frequently required to stand or walk; and occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.

Pay Scale:

Min Salary Rate: $91,592.90

Max Salary Rate: $146,548.64