Lymphedema Physical Therapist Specialist

Under general supervision, delivers physical therapy services through evaluation of patient needs, goal determination, and development of treatment plans in accordance with the evidenced based practice and Maryland scope of practice for general rehabilitation as well as areas of required specialization that may include: lymphedema management; pelvic floor therapy; oncology rehabilitation or hand therapy. Participates in mentoring of staff or students in the assessment and treatment of patients, documentation, and discharge preparation. Participates in program development or outcomes study projects

Education

Masters or Doctorate in Physical Therapy from an accredited institution; successful completion of continuing education in required area of specialization

Experience

Three years of related work experience with an additional 2 or more years functioning in a area of specialty that may include lymphedema management, pelvic floor therapy, oncology rehabilitation or hand therapy

Skills

• Skill in oral and written communication
• Skill in organization
• Ability to set priorities
• Ability to evaluate patient capabilities, develop treatment plans and monitor patient progress
• Ability to manage an average caseload of 2 patients per hour
• Ability to demonstrate excellent customer service skills

Licensures, Certifications

• Current Maryland license as a Physical Therapist
• Certification by a North American Lymphedema Association (NALEA) approved program in Lymphedema Management or
• American Physical Therapy (APTA) certification in pelvic floor or comparable certification or
• Manual Therapy Certification
• Heart saver (CPR Certification).

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Evaluates the patient's functional status including:
• Review of medical history, diagnosis and physician's prescription;
• Observation and interview of patient/family/caregiver; and
• Application of appropriate assessment procedures.
• Determines short and long-term goals with patient/families/caregivers input; establishes evidenced based plan of care that reflects, evaluation results, and input of other team members.
• Implements therapeutic interventions, progressing treatment plans for rehabilitation of  ymphedema, oncology, pelvic floor patients or hand therapy patients. Progresses treatment plans in areas of self-care, activities of daily living, posture, positioning, musculoskeletal and/or lymphatic drainage rehabilitation, bladder or bowel continence, or pain relief; Teaches patient/family/caregiver activities to reinforce therapeutic interventions, provides and custom fits appropriate assistive/adaptive devices; and recognizes patient distress signals requiring follow-up.
• Documents evaluations/re-evaluations, treatment plans, progress notes, and discharge summaries; records data required for statistics, productivity, billing, and quality improvement activities as appropriate. Documents plans of care and other aspects of duration and frequency or functional goals as determined by CEC and Joint Commission policies or any other GBMC acquired certifying agencies.
• Utilizes the assistance of Certified Occupational or Physical Therapy Assistants, Rehab Techs, and volunteers as appropriate; provides supervision to the above as required by regulations. Provides guidance to staff for treatment planning for patients with complex medical, rehab, and or social needs.
• Communicates with interdisciplinary team members both formally and informally; discusses evaluation findings, patient progress and other pertinent information. Also, communicates with patient/family/caregiver to allay anxieties; seeks input and elicits cooperation.
• Participates in discharge planning with interdisciplinary team, recommending appropriate assistance and continuation of the rehabilitation process as needed.
• Participates in performance improvement activities, collecting data and suggesting areas for improvement.
• Prepare billing documentation utilizing proper ICD-9(10) coding, proper CPT coding, proper selection of Functional G-Codes when required and in keeping with guidelines of medical necessity for care
• Collaborates in the interest of global patient care, with other GBMC Centers in complementing services for cancer or wound care or other predominant service providers as for care of Pelvic Health and for Hand Surgery pat