Physical Therapist

SUMMARY: Within the framework of the objectives and policies established, provides patient services by evaluation, treatment, reassessment and related documentation and communication. Functions also include support staff training and supervision, and in-services and training for facility staff in patient care techniques, such as transfer training and use of lifts.

Arbuckle Memorial Hospital has determined this is a safety-sensitive position. The tasks or duties assigned to this job could affect the safety and health of the employee or others.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledgeable about state and federal regulations of physical therapy.
• Evaluate patient’s response to treatments in a timely and professional manner.
• Instruct patient and family in treatment plan and expected outcome.
• Integrate physical medicine with the medical process and goals.
• Interpret medical tests and establish cautions and precautions regarding treatment protocols.
• Customer service abilities including effective listening skills.
• Critical thinking skills, decisive judgment and ability to work with minimal supervision in a fast paced environment.
• Knowledgeable about manual therapy techniques, physical agents and mechanical modalities, gait training, and balance training.
• Revise policies and procedures that govern rehabilitation services.
• Knowledgeable of therapeutic exercises.
• Maintain discretion and confidentiality in communications.
• Knowledgeable about policies and procedures regarding reporting and release of protected health information (PHI).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Establish, implement, evaluate and document patient plan of care, outcome and services.
• Must be able to relate to and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at times, hostile people within the facility.
• Functional training in self-care and home management.
• Functional training in community and work integration.
• Educate patient in the appropriate use of assistive devices.
• Provide education to staff, patient and family members promoting improvements in health care delivery.
• Order and maintain equipment and supplies.
• Treat patients according to treatment plan approved by physician.
• Supervise physical therapy assistants, and students in patient care related activities.
• Record clinical documentation according to accepted regulatory and professional guidelines. Assist/perform ICD-10 code identification based on patient diagnosis.
• Participate in in-service training as required.
• Participate actively in quality improvement programs.
• Secure necessary durable medical equipment and adaptive equipment for patients to facilitate independence.
• Perform preventive maintenance checks and report any problems to appropriate personnel.
• Identify patient needs specifically related to age or developmental stage and address those needs in the patient plan of care.
• Maintain acceptable standards of patient treatment.
• Accurately and promptly implements physician’s orders.
• Maintains a professional approach with confidential hospital and patient information and ensures safe patient environment.
• Supports and enforces infection control policies and procedures.
• Observes and supports hospital policy.
• Works as an active member of the hospital and departmental team to support special projects and activities.
• Keep work area clean and orderly.
• Miscellaneous duties as assigned requested or required.
• Maintain certifications and continuing education requirements needed to perform job.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Current licensure of State Board of Physical Therapy
• Bachelors, Masters or Doctoral degree in physical therapy
• 1 – 5 years’ experience, preferred

LANGUAGE/READING SKILLS:

• Communicate in English verbally and in writing. Legible hand writing is required.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

• Basic statistical concepts.

REASONING ABILITY: Responds to unusual or varied situations that are not covered by existing standards, procedures and precedents.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Regularly required to stand, walk, sit, ascend and descend stairs, possess ability to handle, finger or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms. High risk environment for exposure to blood and bodily fluids.

Must be able to lift 25 pounds from the floor to waist and may occasionally be required to lift 50 pounds from the floor to waist level. Specific vision abilities include close vision and the ability to clearly focus vision.