Physical Therapist

JOB SUMMARY 

The Physical Therapist contracted or employed by the agency is responsible for providing physical therapy services and for adherence to all conditions defined in the Service Agreement. Must be able to evaluate the patient’s condition and develop an individualized plan tailored to each patient based on the physician’s orders. Help patients enhance strength, range of motion, flexibility, and minimize pain or discomfort.

Initiate physical therapy program and instructs other personnel and/or family members and caregivers in specific phases of physical therapy with which they may assist with patient care.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Provide physical therapy services to patient according to a physician’s written orders. This may include, but is not limited to the following:
  • Assess and evaluate therapeutic/rehabilitative/functional status. 
  • Develop a plan of care and treatment making sure plan of care is consistent with assessment. 
  • Participate in the development of the patient’s total plan of treatment. 
  • Assess the facility environment, especially as it relates to fall risk, interventions, and safety. 
  •  Assess for muscle strength, mobility, gait, and range of motion.
  •  Assess for potential for rehabilitation. 
  •  Assess for pain as appropriate for patient 
  •  Direct physical therapy treatment.
  •  Select appropriate assistive devices 
  •  Provide gait training as required. 
  • Develop exercise program as needed. 
  •  Instruct patient and family or caregivers in the use and care of therapeutic appliances. 
  • Report patient’s response to treatment or changes in condition to the Director of Nursing and physician.
  • Initiate physical therapy program and instructs other personnel and/or family members and caregivers in specific phases of physical therapy with which they may assist with the patient care.
  • Instruct other personnel and/or family members and caregivers on the goals of the physical therapy program. 
  • Participate in patient case conferences. 
  • Teach/educate patient in the use of prosthetic device as required. 
  • Assist in identifying patient and family/caregiver needs for other facility health services and reports these needs to the Director of Nursing. 
  • Prepare and submit clinical and progress summaries based on identified and attained goals. A copy of the summaries will be submitted to the Director of Nursing.
  •  Participate in discharge planning, as appropriate. 
  • Provide in-service education for agency personnel, as needed. 
  • Supervise physical therapy assistant(s), if needed, in accordance with organization policy and state regulations. 
  • Assure compliance with all local, state and federal laws and regulations.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 

EDUCATION

• Graduated with a master’s or higher degree in physical therapy from an accredited physical therapy program. 
• Passed a National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and/or state examination as required by the state regulation. 
• Fulfilled all other state required examination. 
• Compliant with continuing education, if required by state as a condition of maintaining licensure.

SKILLS/ABILITIES 

• Comply with all state mandated Physical Therapy Practice Act and other legal mandates 
• Licensed or certified to practice as a physical therapist as required by the state. 
• Two (2) years of appropriate experience as a physical therapist. Facility/home health experience and interpersonal skills. 
• Body strength preferred. 
• Strong knowledge of physical therapy principles, theory, methods and evidence based practice 
• Comply with accepted professional, ethical and legal standards of practice. 
• Excellent customer service skills and ability to deal tactfully with patients, and staff. 
• Treat patients, families and staff with courtesy and respect. 
• Adhere to HIPAA and maintain patient confidentiality.

WORKING CONDITIONS 

• Contact with patients under a wide variety of circumstances as well as interaction with other caregivers, nurses, and doctors. Care provided in patient’s facility environment. May be required to respond to emergency situations. Position includes tasks that have the potential for exposure to blood and other potentially infectious material (OPIM) such as body fluids/tissues.
• PPE: May include gloves, mask, eye/face protection, and disposable outer covering or lab coat.
• Must be able to stand walk, squat, bend, kneel, crouch, lift, reach, twist, push and pull. Varied assistance is required d