Physical Therapist (Out Patient)

Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs physical therapy evaluations:
• Demonstrates ability to interpret physicians referrals.
• Can identify precautions and contraindications in frequently referred diagnoses.
• Able to counsel the staff on specific physicians treatment philosophies.
• Acts as a resource to physicians in recommending appropriate physical therapy interventions.
• Provides resource material regarding the interventions to medical personnel and PT staff when appropriate.
• Obtains all pertinent information from the patient or patient chart before initial evaluation including past medical history and present medical or surgical interventions.
• Consults with the physician and nurse for further clarification as needed.
• Consults with the supervisor when appropriate.
• Chooses and applies appropriate evaluation procedures as defined by each unit.
• Demonstrates competency and accuracy in performing basic evaluation procedures on a frequently referred diagnosis.
• Demonstrates ability to assess general mental emotional and cognitive status in frequently referred cases.
• Obtains current subjective information from the patient including the patients understanding of their diagnosis chief symptoms/complaints status before diagnosis functional limitations previous treatment and social history.
• Independently sets and documents measurable short-term and long-term goals for all diagnoses based on evaluation data for frequently referred diagnoses.
• Completes Physical Therapist evaluations for Physical Therapy Assistants before delegating them to the Physical Therapy Assistant.
• Identifies and documents precautions special problems contraindications goals anticipated progress and plans for re-evaluation.
• Re-evaluates and modifies plan of care and goals when necessary.
• Plans and implements patient treatments:
• Reviews chart and/or obtain current information before each treatment session and usually recognize information that may require necessary modification of Physical Therapy treatment.
• Seeks guidance from appropriate personnel.
• Incorporates data obtained into a treatment session.
• Utilizes subjective and objective evaluation results to plan a treatment program appropriate to the diagnosis or disability.
• Progresses treatment promptly for frequently referred diagnoses.
• Acts as a resource for Physical Therapy Assistants.
• Evaluates patient response to treatment and revise goals treatment and plan as appropriate.
• Recognizes abnormal physiological and psychological changes and reports these to appropriate personnel.
• Seeks guidance for questionable situations and documents incidences with assistance.
• Instructs patient health care provider and family regarding patients participation in a physical therapy program.
• Involves patients and families as appropriate in treatment planning and discharge.
• Includes physical therapy recommendations for discharge.
• Recommends (for use while in the hospital and/or at discharge) necessary durable medical equipment or other therapeutic devices that promotes optimal functioning and patient safety.
• Utilizes appropriate modalities that include but are not limited to heat cold light water sound and electricity.
• Utilizes therapeutic exercise and mobilization as well as exercise equipment.
• Can present rationale for selection of a particular procedure.
• Participates in individual patient care conferences team conferences clinics and rounds to coordinate patients plans of care.
• Makes a concise verbal report regarding the patients status when requested.
• Incorporates safety infection control and emergency procedures into the patients treatment. Uses universal fluid precautions at all times.

Administrative and Organizational duties:

• Has a thorough knowledge of policies and procedures.
• Frequently refers to Policy & Procedure Manual in carrying out job responsibilities.
• With occasional guidance organizes their schedule that reflects a Patients 1st philosophy.
• Rearranges schedule coordinates with peers ask for assistance when necessary.
• Carries a patient load that reflects the productivity standard of the unit.
• Demonstrates appropriate written communication:
• Is responsible for electronic documentation that includes but is not limited to initial evaluations progress notes home programs discharge summaries statistical reporting charges and interdisciplinary forms.
• Maintains timely and accurate department records according to departmental policies and procedures.
• Informs supervisor if paperwork gets behind.
• Documentation meets the standards of the department outside regulatory agencies and insurance agencies.
• With assistance completes variance reports.
• Participates in performance improvement:
• Participates in the process to review current clinical procedures protocols and forms.
• Makes recommendations for change.
• Completes clinical competencies as determined by the unit.
• May participate as a member of a quality improvement team.
• Participates in departmental administration:
• Attends unit and departmental meetings unless formally excused. Reports to meetings on a timely basis.
• Makes recommendations for new equipment needs of the department. Provides credible support data and literature to justify equipment need benefit and cost.
• Appropriately delegates responsibilities to support personnel and Physical Therapy Assistants.
• Informs supervisor about significant developments in the following areas:
• Unusual patient or physician problems equipment problems incidents of injury to patient or self.
• Serves as a department representative on patient care teams as requested.
• Checks that department equipment is in working condition and meet safety standards before use in treatment.
• Reports defective equipment to supervisor promptly and initiates work orders as appropriate.
• Utilizes hospital equipment and supplies cost-effectively and respectfully.
• Maintains a clean work environment.

Educational Responsibilities:

• Identifies own learning needs and searches out educational experiences to meet own needs.
• Attends hospital orientation.
• Attends 65% of the departmental services offered.
• Meets department and accreditation standards for documentation of attended in-services and continuing education courses including hospital fire safety and infection control.
• Documents attendance on the professional education record.
• Attends at least 20 hours of continuing education per year.
• Seeks to stay current on issues involving Physical Therapy (i.e. reads journals researches clinical questions attends APTA functions).
• Maintains current CPR certification according to department policy.
• Participates in one patient or community education program. These may include but are not limited to scoliosis screening back school career days job fairs PT week arthritis program outpatient pulmonary rehab program clinical partner collegiate nurses and transportation tech training.
• Demonstrates appropriate verbal communication:
• Establishes rapport with patients and families explains reasons for therapy interventions to the patient and instructs and answers any questions.
• Gives receives and validates the information in a clear concise and timely manner.
• Recognizes the effects of nonverbal communication upon others and adjusts posture facial expressions and mannerisms to meet situational needs.
• Copes with own emotional reactions when the behavior of the patient becomes difficult (frightening embarrassing or angry).
• Maintains an appropriate professional distance from the patients without sacrificing compassion and concern. Displays courtesy and respect to others.
• Maintains HIPAA compliance and does not discuss confidential information about patients except in a private area and only when there is a need for clinical assistance.
• Demonstrates openness to other points of view or approaches to patient problems.
• Identifies possible conflicts and works to achieve positive outcomes.
• Demonstrates appropriate written communication:
• Written communication is legible concise accurate and written to the level of the reader.
• Maintains timely and accurate department records according to departmental policies and procedures.
• Informs supervisor immediately if paperwork gets behind.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Follows directions given by supervisor or director and asks questions at an appropriate time or place. Is receptive to constructive feedback. Seeks feedback regarding performance.
• The individuals disposition temperament and reactions are consistent with the philosophy that the patients welfare is the prime objective.
• Is supportive verbally of the hospital department and co-workers.
• Demonstrates a willingness to meet departmental rotational needs. Adjusts schedule when needed.
• Actively participates in finding solutions to identified problems.
• Anticipates the needs of co-workers and takes the initiative to respond.
• Adheres to departmental policies and procedures regarding attendance and absenteeism.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Benefits:

• Paid Sick Time - effective 90 days after employment.
• Paid Vacation Time - effective 90 days after employment.
• Health vision & dental benefits - eligible at 30 days following the 1st of the following month.
• Short and long-term disability and basic life insurance - after 30 days of employment.

Required Skills:

PTCPREMR