Physical Therapist: Pulse Healthcare Limited

Physical Therapy Department

Physical Therapist Job Description

Position Title: Physical Therapist

Department: Physical Therapy

Status: Full Time

Position Summary

The Physical Therapist evaluates and treats patients, communicates with families, physicians, and other health care members and maintains documentation of services in the medical record.

Work Schedule

Flexible schedule to cover all shifts and weekend activities with on-call participation.

Qualifications/Specifications

-Education: Graduate of an accredited college or university with a bachelors in Physical Therapy required. Masters degree in Physical Therapy preferred.

-Licensure/Certification: Must have State Licensure or Registration.

-Experience/Training: Minimum of 2-3 years Physical Therapy preferred.

-Interpersonal Skills: Must be able to interact and communicate with all levels of staff, physicians, patients, and families in an effective manner, exhibiting tact, enthusiasm, and patience.

-Essential Physical Requirements: Requires full range of body motion including handling and lifting, manual and finger dexterity, and eye-hand coordination. Able to stand and walk for long periods of time. Able to lift/push/pull patients to transport and/or reposition. Able to lift and carry equipment and supplies of 25 pounds or more. Corrected vision and hearing in the normal range.

-Essential Cognitive Abilities: Requires good communication and organizational skills. Requires reasoning ability and good independent judgment.

-Age-Specific Criteria: Must demonstrate and maintain current knowledge and skills necessary to provide care/services to the age of the patients served in the hospital facility. Must also possess the ability to assess data and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to their specific needs.

-Other: Understands the mission and vision of the hospital. Operates within the concept of patient focused care. Evolves into an effective team member. Must adhere to dress code; good grooming and personal hygiene habits; and strict adherence to attendance policies. Maintains knowledge of and conforms to hospital policies and procedures. Employee must maintain satisfactory level of knowledge and skill in Age Specific Competencies for the appropriate patient population.

Primary Duties

1.Practices Physical Therapy consistent with the American Physical Therapy Association Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

2.Maintains a patient treatment schedule consistent with the needs of the facility.

3.Confers with the persons most closely associated with the management of the patient and keeps them informed of any additional patient needs, treatment modification and/or progress.

4.Responsible for the preparation and submission of facility reports, assuring confidentiality of all records including:

a) Evaluation reports/summaries.

b) Discharge reports/summaries.

c) Progress reports to referring physicians and agencies.

d) Current progress notes on all patients within their area.

e) Special reports as requested by the director and/or supervisor.

f) Daily attendance records and summaries of same.

5. Sees that all facility routines and procedures are carried out as outlined.

6. Keeps abreast of new techniques and trends in the field of Physical Therapy.

7. Maintains good public relations with all community sources.

8. Delegates portions of the above-listed duties to facility personnel, with approval of the supervisor and/or team leader and in line with the best use of time and experience of such personnel.

9. Keeps current on and adheres to policies and procedures as enumerated in the Policy and Procedures Manual of the facility.

10. Interpreting and carrying out the prescription of the physician; good public relations, protection of confidential data; economic us of time, equipment and supplies; safety and welfare of patients and other employees.

11. Must be able to apply the theory of Physical Therapy; have the ability and competency to operate the equipment used in their position; perform technical procedures; speak intelligently and in a professional manner before other; supervision and management skills.

Age-Specific Competencies

The staff member must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care, based on physical, psycho/social, education, safety and related criteria, appropriate to the age of the patient served in his/her assigned area. The skills and knowledge needed to provide such care must be gained through education, training or experience. Employees must maintain a satisfactory level of knowledge and skill to continue employment. The assessment of competence for each category is based on one or more of the following:

1. A review of sample medical records.

2. Observation of interaction with patients.

3. Direct observation of participation in treatment planning.

Adult (18-65 years)

1. Allow patient to participate in decisions regarding his/her plan of care/treatment

2. Incorporate normal physiologic parameters into assessment of muscles, joints, and response to care/treatment

3. Demonstrate respect for individual by addressing with name the individual wishes to be called

4. Education should be directed to patient with family involvement unless cognitive ability prevents this

5. Ensure assist devices such as glasses, hearing aides, and walkers are available and utilized

6. Recognizes anxiety regarding potential changes in life style (i.e., physical) resulting from illness

7. Performs physical exercise appropriate to condition and adult

Geriatric (over 65 years)

1. Explain any unfamiliar objects, equipment and what you will do before you start

2. Give one direction at a time; repeat as necessary

3. Provide for safe environment; do not leave unattended during procedure; keep side rails up post procedure

4. Provide assistance with activities of daily living and use of assist devices as indicated

5. Incorporate normal physiologic charges associated with activity into assessment of status and response to care/treatment

6. Allow for frequent rest periods between exercises as needed

7. Demonstrate respect for the individual by addressing that person by the name that individual wishes to use

8. Allow patient to participate in decisions regarding plan of care/treatment

9. Education should be directed to patient with family involvement unless cognitive ability prevents this

10. Recognizes family interactions considering stressors; i.e., fear, anxiety regarding potential altered body image, immobility, regression

11. Recognizes potential for altered level of orientation which may require family intervention

12. Provides education regarding muscle atrophy and aging process using easily understood terms

13. Assesses potential increased educational needs due to compromised ability to comply and/or comprehend instructions

14. Patient and supportive of patient/family needs

The above staff member must demonstrate the knowledge and skill levels necessary to provide care, based on defined criteria, that is appropriate to the age of the patients served in his/her assigned service area. The skill level and knowledge needed to provide such care is gained through education, training, and/or experience. When the individual does not meet the standard for a specific competency, he/she will not be allowed to care for the specified populations until retraining has occurred and competency has been demonstrated.

Key Relationships

1. Maintains positive relationships with internal customers. Is effective in interacting with others and problem solving.

2. Maintains positive relationships with external customers. Is effective in interacting with others and problem solving.

3. Proactive in meeting customer's needs. Responds promptly to customer needs or requests.

4. Keeps Team Leader informed of problems, recommends solutions.

5. Participates in education/development of peers and other staff.

Initiative

1. Develops specific work plans and due dates.

2. Follows through on planned assignments within assigned timeframes.

3. Effectively prioritizes assignments.

4. Demonstrates a willingness to accept extra assignments.

5. Adjusts to change, work pressures or different situations without undue stress.

6. Demonstrates skill in developing improvements in work methods.

7. Effective in cost control and resource utilization.

Professionalism

1. Adheres to dress code, conduct and attendance policies.

2. Accepts both positive and negative constructive feedback.

3. Attends at least 80% of in-services and departmental meetings.

4. Demonstrates a supportive-e/positive attitude toward the hospital and fellow employees - is a positive team member.

5. Expresses self in an organized, comprehensive, articulate and concise manner.