Physical Therapist (Acute Care)

POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Rehabilitation Therapies Supervisor/Manager, the Staff Physical Therapist conducts comprehensive assessments of in and outpatients with physical and functional deficits, planning and implementing individual/group physical therapy treatments to promote mobility, reduce pain, restore function, prevent permanent disability and restore independence, using various treatment techniques. Collaborates with other disciplines to arrange for appropriate follow-up care and facilitates a successful return to home and work environments.  Provides student training according to departmental guidelines and participates in continuous education.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

1. Conducts physical therapy evaluation procedures according to professional and departmental guidelines.

• Responds to all consults in assigned area within 24 hours; completes evaluation and documentation within 24 hours of consult (IP).
• Reviews patient records, gathers necessary information, and obtains a physician’s order prior to assessing the patient.
• Selects evaluation procedures that reflect understanding of the patient’s diagnosis, abilities, and limitations.
• Administers evaluation procedures according to the guidelines of standardized tests (including range of motion, manual muscle testing, mobility, air entry and breath sounds); adapts evaluation procedures as indicated to accommodate the specific needs of patients.
• Interprets evaluation results, develops an integrated diagnostic impression, and makes recommendations.
• Performs re-evaluations according to departmental policies, change in patient’s status or response to treatment.
• Educates patient and caregiver regarding evaluation findings and management of care recommendations.

2. Establishes treatment goals and plans that reflect the needs of the patients while meeting departmental, institutional, and third party reimbursement requirements.

• Formulates treatment goals and plans that reflect the patient’s unique psychological and functional deficits.
• Establishes measurable and attainable short and long-term goals in collaboration with patient and/or caregiver.
• Modifies goals as warranted by changes in patient’s status.
• Assesses discharge needs of the patient and caregiver, including but not limited to: insurance issues, equipment needs, follow-up appointments, and appropriate use of community services.
• Communicates patient care and discharge needs to team members as needed. Arranges for appropriate follow-up.

3. Implements comprehensive individual and group treatment. Consistently demonstrates clinical competence.

• Establishes treatment priorities based on evaluation results and the specific needs of the patients.
• Uses creative treatment approaches and explores alternative solutions to individual patient problems.
• Demonstrates clinical problem solving skills with a variety of patient problems and substantiates actions taken.
• Progresses patient treatment programs appropriately and terminates them as warranted by patient’s progress and condition.
• Recommends and/or issues appropriate assistive devices or durable medical equipment, ensuring that it properly fits the patient.
• Develops and instructs patient and caregiver in home programs and/or use of recommended equipment; provides verbal and/or written instructions as indicated.
• Establishes and maintains a therapeutic relationship with all patients.
• Demonstrates ability to engage patients in treatment, provides reinforcement and support; sets limits appropriately.
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age groups regularly served.
• Notifies supervisor/manager when patients in age groups not regularly served are present, and seeks assistance from individuals with the knowledge of the specialized needs of such patient age groups.
• Adheres to diagnosis-related precautions. Demonstrates good judgment in handling potentially hazardous situations, seeking assistance as necessary.
• Assigns appropriate patients to Physical Therapist Assistant and Rehabilitation and/or Co-op Aide. Seeks feedback.
• Monitors clinical supplies on assigned floors, requesting replacements in a timely manner.

4. Complies with departmental, institutional, and accrediting agency policies and standards.

• Completes area specific documentation (including letters, re-evaluations) in an accurate thorough and timely manner according to department standards scoring an average of 95% or greater on each indicator.
• Issues supplies/adaptive equipment in a cost-effective manner. Justifies issuance of equipment, demonstrates actual use by patient. Looks for alternative solutions.
• Completes patient care charges accurately.
• Meets area specific productivity standards at least 95% of the time. Identifies problems and makes adjustments to meet targeted productivity.
• Participates in the peer review process. Completes form thoroughly, gives meaningful and constructive feedback, and provides learning experience to peer.
• Completes mandatory requirements (including PPD, competencies, and safety/infection control tests, CPR, and license renewal) within given time frame.

5. Shows evidence of on-going professional growth and knowledge of regulations and standards.

• Initiates independent learning opportunities, seeks out and integrates new information in daily practice. Communicates learning needs to supervisor.
• Stays current with advances in physical therapy treatments and techniques through attendance of professional meetings, continuing education, and reading of current literature.
• Shows knowledge of professional federal and state rules and regulations governing the practice of physical therapy.  
• Assumes responsibility and accountability for the care of the patients being treated by the physical therapist assistant.
• Directs and supervises the rehabilitation and/or coop aide consistent with the State Practice Act in a safe and effective manner.

6. Participates in the development and evaluation of physical therapy programs

• Identifies assigned rotation/floor needs and communicates with senior therapists and supervisor. Contributes to the development and updating of unit files and other pertinent resource material.
• Assists in developing and achieving area goals.
• Collects data required to complete research projects, clinical outcome studies, and departmental quality improvement projects in compliance with established department standards.
• Contributes to the assessment, planning, and implementation of physical therapy programs in collaboration with supervisor and peers.

7. Collaborates with colleagues and other professionals to provide high quality patient care.

• Serves as clinical resource for other health care professionals on assigned floors.
• Works as part of the rehabilitation therapy team, helping and supporting staff members  as needed; listens to and seeks feedback from others; shares knowledge with others in positive manner; expresses opinions clearly. Accommodates to change by being adaptable and flexible and maintains professional demeanor during periods of stress. Assumes a leadership role and takes charge in difficult situations.
• Attends and participates in all mandatory department meetings.  Arrives prepared and on time.
• Accepts and completes additional assignments as requested by supervisor, including membership in department and hospital task forces and committees.
• Provides at least on evidence-based area in-service annually. Provides in-services to other hospital personnel as requested.
• Prepares for a verbal presentation using peer-reviewed journals and presents this information in a clear, organized, and concise manner.
• Participates responsibly in the supervisory process, follows through on suggestions and recommendations, and utilizes supervision time for own professional growth. Comes prepared to supervisory meets.
• Develops and meets annual goals with a high quality of performance.

8. Orients medical professional staff and the community to physical therapy. Supervises physical therapy students.

• Participates in pre-affiliation, class related, or other observation experiences.
• Orients medical professional staff and students and the community (e.g. volunteers, high school initiatives).
• Shows leadership and flexibility by taking students despite a new or challenging rotation.
• Takes additional physical therapy students to help meet the needs of the department/students.
• If not eligible to take own students, assists with occasional supervision of other clinical instructor’s students. Provides a well-rounded learning experience for affiliating physical therapy students.
• Assesses the learning needs of assigned physical therapy students and provides training in patient evaluation and treatment procedures as practiced on assigned units.
• Facilitates development of clinical problem solving skills of the affiliating students by asking probing questions.
• Schedules weekly meetings with assigned students providing growth-promoting feedback and learning experiences.
• Keeps student program coordinator informed of student’s performance. Assesses the learning needs of assigned physical therapy students and provides training in patient evaluation and treatment procedures as practiced on assigned units.
• Cooperates with student program coordi