Neurologic Physical Therapy Resident

About Shepherd Center 

With five decades of experience, Shepherd Center provides world-class clinical care, research, and family support for people experiencing the most complex conditions, including spinal cord and brain injuries, multi-trauma, traumatic amputations, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and pain. An elite center ranked by U.S. News as one of the nation’s top hospitals for rehabilitation, Shepherd Center is also recognized as both Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems. Shepherd is the only rehabilitation facility in the nation with an intensive care unit on-site, allowing us to care for the most complex patients and begin the rehabilitation process sooner. Shepherd Center treats thousands of patients annually with unmatched expertise and unwavering compassion to help them begin again.

Shepherd Center's culture is one of hope, humor, and hard work. You will enjoy career growth, strong relationships with co-workers, strong support from leadership, and fun activities that have kept over 12% of staff members working at Shepherd for more than 20 years.  

The Neurological Physical Therapy (PT) Resident is responsible for treating patients (adolescent, adult, and geriatric) assigned, determining short-term and long-term goals in conjunction with the patient, family/caregiver, and other Shepherd Center team members, and developing and implementing a comprehensive plan of care. In this active and hands-on position, the Physical Therapist greatly improves the patient experience through rehabilitation services. This role collaborates and engages with others to facilitate patient recovery. The Neurological Physical Therapy (PT) Resident is a finite position of at least 13 months, not to exceed 18 months. Throughout the residency, the PT treats patients in various neurological rehabilitation settings; and completes competencies, training, and education related to the program in preparation to sit for the ABPTS Neurologic Specialist Certification exam.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Practices proper safety techniques in accordance with Center and departmental policies and procedures.
• Responsible for the reporting of employee/patient/visitor injuries or accidents, or other safety issues to the supervisor and in the occurrence notification system.  
• Monitors and ensures compliance with all regulatory requirements, organizational standards, and policies and procedures related to area of responsibility.
• Identifies potential risk areas within area of responsibility and supports problem resolution process.
• The Neurological Physical Therapy (PT) Resident is provided the opportunity to rotate throughout Shepherd Center and community residency sites to gain well-rounded clinical knowledge in neurological physical therapy with exposure to teaching, research, and service learning.
• Evaluates patient’s physical and functional status including muscular strength, motor functions, reflexes, ambulation skills and ability to perform activities of daily living.
• Observes and interviews patient, reviews medical history, and administers sensory tests, muscle tests, range-of-motion exams, and other evaluation techniques.
• Develops and implements treatment program to further patient functional skills, which is then periodically reassessed and adapted.
• Plans and delivers effective patient and family training to ensure proper patient care.
• Utilizes and orders in-house trial equipment according to need and correctly fits equipment to the patient.
• Schedules patients for specialty clinics and programs where appropriate.
• Determines and orders/recommends appropriate durable medical equipment in consultation with patient, caregivers, payer source and team members.
• Discusses evaluation, goals, and treatment with patient and family and instructs them on the exercise program an in use of equipment.
• Uses evaluation findings to determine appropriate discharge planning needs.
• Effectively participates in intra-departmental staff meetings, and intra-departmental discipline/program committee assignments.
• May participate in education programs by teaching and supervising students.
• Participates in research projects as needed.
• Prepares and maintains a record of observation