Physical Therapist

At Central Maine Healthcare our team members are committed to providing exceptional care and experiences for our community and for each other every day.

Position Summary: The Staff Therapist, Physical Therapy evaluates patients and develops a comprehensive treatment plan to restore patients to their maximum functional potential. Directs therapeutic intervention for the restoration of patient’s functioning to prevent disability following injury, disease, or physical disability. Assists patients to reach their maximum performance and level of functioning while learning to live within the limits of their capabilities. Provides treatment and instruction to patients according to acceptable principles and practices of Physical Therapy. Collaborates as a member of the health care team for the provision of comprehensive patient care. Consistent with training and competency review, provides care to pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients, in the setting of the outpatient clinic, inpatient and Rumford Community Home, as needed. The staff therapist coordinates, delegates and supervises responsibilities assigned to assistants, aides, etc. The staff therapist participates in operational aspects of the department, maintains performance improvement activities within the department and participates in PI activities. Participates in all infection control, departmental equipment training, organizational safety and fire safety programs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Demonstrates Competency in the Following Areas:
1. Performs a thorough, organized and objective physical therapy evaluation in appropriate enough depth for patient diagnosis and clinical presentation; identifies the physical therapy problems from the evaluation and incorporates patient potential as well as major barriers to treatment.
2. Develops appropriate treatment goal/plan that is based on the evaluation findings, the patient’s goals, review of the medical record, a history, the referring physician’s goal for the patient, and information gathered from the patient’s health care team.
3. Demonstrates a timely progression in the plan and an update of the plan/goals based on the patient’s response to intervention and reassessments per dept. policies. Demonstrates timely/correct equipment selection and appliance selection and provides guidance/instruction to the patient.
4. Demonstrates individualized appropriate treatment planning including appropriate therapy application and treatment intervention including but not limited to the areas of gait, balance, cardiopulmonary reconditioning, neuromuscular re-education, orthotic/prosthetic application and training, manual therapy skills, joint protection instruction, ergonomics and body mechanics, assistive and adaptive devices, neuromotor development, wound management, sensory integration, and patient/family education.
5. When the Physical Therapist delegates treatment of a patient to the Physical Therapy Assistant, they must provide supervision of treatment to assure that the treatment plan remains appropriate.
6. Discusses and advises medical staff, patients and patient families, support staff and affiliating students regarding indications/contraindications for treatment, offers alternative modes of treatment and advises in the proper utilization of the service as supported by current physical therapy literature/research.
7. Delivers treatment in compliance with departmental policies, protocols, and per the American Physical Therapy Associations’ code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
8. Modifies treatment session based on accurate interpretation of patient’s response to treatment.
9. Demonstrates ability to assess patient pain interfering with optimal level of function or participation in rehabilitation - makes appropriate physician contact for intervention.
10. Addresses in treatment sessions, patient’s identified Physical Therapy goals, per the evaluation.
11. Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
12. Interacts professionally with patient/family and involves patient/family in the formation of the plan of care and conducts treatment sessions to assure the safety of the therapist, support staff and the patient at all times.
13. Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic and religious/spiritual needs of patients and their families.
14. Manages and operates equipment safely and correctly. Maintains department cleanliness and safety.
15. Communicates appropriately and clearly to physicians and members of the health care team.
16. Coordinates and directs patient care to ensure patients’ needs are met and hospital policy is followed.
17. Demonstrates an ability to be flexible, organized and function under stressful situati