Physical Therapist PH Wound Care Clinic Full-time Days

Company Description

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better healthcare, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. At Northwestern Medicine, we pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, we take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

Job Description

The Physical Therapist, Wound Care Clinic reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization's Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines, and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

Under the general supervision of the Manager or Charge Therapist, provides assessment, plans and administers treatment using Physical Therapy techniques as defined in the Illinois Practice Act for Physical Therapists and in accordance with referral. Provides treatment and education to prevent, correct, or alleviate a disability, decrease pain, promote physical fitness and well-being and improve function.

• Interpret referrals and confer with the referral source regarding plan of care.
• Utilize appropriate patient care protocol relating to the physical and psychological needs of pediatric, adolescence, adult and geriatric patients.
• Involve the patient and/or family in the treatment plan, objectives of the treatment plan, time frames, capabilities and limitations of treatment and necessary education.
• Perform specialized tests and measurements for diagnostic and prognostic data on muscles, nerves, joints and functional ability. Obtains history, test results and other necessary information to complete assessment.
• Evaluate, record and report patient's progress in order to establish and modify treatment plans in order to achieve a desirable outcome. This evaluation includes such procedures as muscle testing, range of motion evaluations, electrical testing, motor performance, balance assessment, skin temperature measurements, girth recordings, reflexes, pulse, respiration, blood pressure monitoring, pain, wound cultures, oxygen saturation levels, functional activity levels, ergonomics and other methods in order to gain objective data to determine appropriateness of referral and effectiveness of the treatment plan.
• In compliance with hospital / department policies / procedures, utilize the effective properties of physical measures and heat, cold, light, water, radiant energy, electricity, sound, and air; and the use of therapeutic massage, therapeutic exercise, mobilization, manual therapy, debridement and rehabilitative procedures with or without assistive devices.
• Utilize technology and information systems for daily tasks such as scheduling, documentation, dictation, medical record review, clinical guidelines and home exercise programs.
• Assess need for orthotics and other equipment.
• Measures for garments to control edema.
• Evaluate home and work environment for safety, architectural barriers and accessibility. Makes recommendations for improvement.
• Inform supervisor and/or consults with referring provider when there are questions regarding proper diagnosis, inappropriate referrals or prescriptions, or possible contraindications, and follows-up as advised.
• Keep schedule up to date, coordinate work with other areas and communicate necessary information to clerical staff to assure that patients are properly scheduled and charged.
• Manage schedule in order to efficiently and effectively provide assessment, treatment and education. Must be able to determine priorities of care.
• Supervise and utilize Physical Therapy Assistants, Treatment Aides, Aides, Students, and Volunteers.
• Assist in the orientation, training and skill enhancement of new staff members, students and volunteers.
• Treat patients safely and follows department policies, procedures and routines.
• Prepare the patient for discharge from the hospital or service and recommend appropriate follow -up care. Consult with others as necessary and request referrals to other providers if needed. Proactively manage the care of the patient in order to insure a desirable outcome. Design specific home program instructions and assure that the patient, family and/or caregiver understand the instructions. Provide or recommends necessary equipment and supplies.
• Conduct education programs for the community, department, Medical Staff and other hospital personnel as requested.
• Apprise supervisor regarding equipment performance, maintenance and the need for new equipmen