PT

CALDWELL MEDICAL CENTER
JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE:          Physical Therapist
DEPARTMENT:      Physical Therapy
REPORTS TO:          Therapy Director    
SUPERVISES:           PTA & Support Staff
POSITION SUMMARY:
Evaluates patients to assess needs, develops individualized treatment plans, and administers physical therapy treatments to patients with neurological, burn/wound, or musculoskeletal injuries or to patients with other acute or chronic physical disabilities through the use of physical therapy techniques to alleviate pain, restore physical functioning, prevent disabilities, facilitate independence, and promote overall patient wellness.   Collaborates with interdisciplinary treatment team.   Supervises work of support personnel.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
    Maintains established policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance program, safety, environmental, and infection control standards.
    Evaluates patient upon initial encounter to assess medical history, movement dysfunctions, impairments, and current condition to estimate rehabilitation potential and develop individualized treatment plans.
    Designs individualized physical therapy treatment program for each patient based on the assessment, including training in functional mobility, use of assistive devices, therapeutic exercise, balance and coordination retraining, and appropriate modalities aimed at restoring function, reducing pain, and preventing disability.
    Implements therapy according to the established plan, utilizing appropriate procedures, equipment and techniques within the scope of physical therapy practice. 
    Recommends adaptive equipment, completes the equipment justification forms and arranges for the delivery of equipment.
    Re-evaluates patients to assesses their progress, modifies treatment plans as necessary, and makes recommendations regarding continued treatment and/or discharge.
    Educates the patient and/or the caregiver about the findings of the evaluation, established goals of the physical therapy program, plan of treatment, home programs, injury prevention, pain management, preventative care, and other related information to facilitate recovery and promote long-term health.
    Directs and aids patient in therapeutic regimen. Delegates routine care to supportive personnel as appropriate. Acts in supervisory role to ensure proper execution of tasks.
    Adapts conventional physical therapy techniques to meet the needs of patients unable to comprehend verbal commands or voluntarily carry out a regime of therapeutic exercises.
    Conducts and participates in training medical and nursing personnel in physical therapy techniques and objectives.
    Evaluates, records and reports on patient progress for review by other members of the rehabilitative team. Communicate effectively with physician, other members of rehabilitation team and others as indicated regarding treatment plan and patient response to plan.
    Counsels patient and family according to degree of disability or impairment.
    Completes all required documentation thoroughly and in a timely manner.
    Participates in educational programs and in-service meetings. Participates in continuing education program to ensure appropriate units are attained for maintenance of State license.
    May provide in-services for staff, other departments and the community.
    Participates in continuous quality improvement projects.
    Assists with departmental maintenance and supplies.
    Performs other duties as assigned.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS  
    Exposure to hospital and clinic environmental conditions.

WORKING CONDITIONS
    Vision and hearing must be sufficient to handle duties as required.
    Activities may include prolonged, extensive standing, walking and/or sitting
    Lifts supplies and equipment with weight requirements of approximately 50lbs*
    Manual dexterity and mobility, reach with hands and arms, stooping, bending, kneeling and crouching, push/pull, use hands and fingers to touch & feel.
*Seek assistance if the weight requirement for the performance of a job or task requires greater than 50lbs of effort/force

EXPECTATIONS
    Strong understanding of human anatomy and physiology.
    Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to effectively and positively interact with patients and team members.
    Ability to develop and implement individualized treatment plans.
    Detail oriented with strong organizational skills.
    Physical stamina to perform therapeutic exercises and assist patients as needed.
    Must be skillful in written and oral communication.  
    Demonstrates basic problem solving and time management skills.  
    Must demonstrate the ability to work independently and to accept delegation of appropriate tasks. 
    Ability to direct staff to follow oral and written instructions and established procedures. 

LANGUAGE SKILLS/READING SKILLS/HEARING
    Ability to talk/converse with and be understood by others. 
    Ability to read, analyze and interpret written information. 
    Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers
    Ability to effectively present information to others (individually or in groups) 

OFFICE SKILLS/EQUIPMENT USAGE
    Computer-Desktop, laptop, and/or tablet
    Printers
    Copy Machine
    Fax Machine
    Telephones – Desk and Portable

COMPLIANCE
    Acts in accordance with the compliance policies set forth in the compliance plan and to report violations of these policies.
DISCLAIMER STATEMENT
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.
 

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS
MINIMUM EDUCATION
    Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from an accredited program, or a Bachelor or Master of Physical Therapy degree for candidates who were practicing prior to the transition to DPT requirements.
    Current Kentucky as a Physical Therapist.  
    Current Basic Life Support Certification, Level C, or obtain certification within one month of employment.

EXPERIENCE
    Previous experience in a clinical setting is preferred but not required