Purpose & Overall Duties:

• Plan, organizes and administers medically prescribed physical therapy treatment for patients suffering from injuries, of muscle, nerve, joint and bone diseases, to restore function, relieve pain, and prevent disability.
• Must have knowledge of areas of practice specific to geriatrics including precautions when working with specific diagnoses in Long Term Care facilities.

Patient Care

Medical Chart Review:

• Reviews physician’s referral (prescription) and patient’s condition and medical records to determine physical therapy treatment required upon admission and throughout treatment and confer with other members of the health team regarding pt’s current condition, precautions and limitations/ abilities.
• Consults with other members of rehabilitation team to select activity program consistent with needs and capabilities of individuals and to coordinate physical therapy with other therapeutic activities.

Evaluation:

• Tests and measures patient’s strength, motor development, sensory perception, functional capacity, and respiratory and circulatory efficiency, and records findings to develop or revise treatment programs.
• Plans and prepares written treatment program based on evaluation of patient data.
• Evaluates effects of treatment at various stages and adjusts treatments to achieve maximum benefit.
• Evaluates, fits, and adjusts prosthetic and orthotic devices and recommends modification

Treatment:

• Administers manual exercises to improve and maintain function
• Instructs, motivates, and assists patient to perform various physical activities, such as non-manual exercises, ambulatory functional activities, daily-living activities, and in use of assistant and supportive devices, such as crutches, canes, and prostheses.
• Administers treatments involving application of physical agents, using equipment, such as hydrotherapy tanks and whirlpool baths, moist packs, ultraviolet and infrared lamps, and ultrasound machines, E-Stim, and TENS.
• Administers massage, applying knowledge of massage techniques and body physiology.
• Administers traction to relieve pain; using traction equipment.
  Instructs patient and family in treatment procedures to be continued at home.

Documentation/ Logistics/ Patient Satisfaction

• Records treatment, response, and progress in patient’s chart or enters information into computer.
• Is competent in use of a computer program for clinical documentation
• Completes all Medicare and company required documentation per guidelines and in a timely manner.
• Responsible for achieving patient satisfaction, reporting and maintaining appropriate quality indicator measures for the department / facility and complying with productivity standards set by Essential Rehab Solutions.

Supervision / Collaboration with Team Members

• Confers with physician and other practitioners to obtain additional patient information, suggest revisions in treatment program, and integrate physical therapy treatment with other aspects of patient’s health care.
• Orients, instructs, and directs work activities of assistants, aides, and students. May plan and conduct lectures and training programs on physical therapy and related topics for medical staff, students, and community groups.
• In facilities where assistants are also employed, will provide required supervision by Medicare and State guidelines.
• Transition and train restorative nursing in implementation of patient’s restorative treatment program upon d/c from skilled therapy services.

Personal Development

• Must comply with Medicare guidelines and state requirements for licensure.
• Attend continuing education courses approved by the state and in your appropriate field with frequency according to state regulations.
• May plan, direct, and coordinate physical therapy program and be designated Director, Physical Therapy.
• Personal development in assuring evidence based practice in the LTC setting.

General Skills Required:

• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships- Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Training and Teaching Others –Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems – Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates – Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, email, or in person effectively.
• Time management- Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
• Social Perceptiveness- Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Active Listening- Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Performing General Physical Activities- Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Minimum Experience, Education, and Licensure:

• Bachelor Degree in Physical Therapy
• 1 Year Preferred Experience
• Must hold current state license

Physical Demands:

• Lifting from ground level, waist level, and/or overhead;
• Standing, sitting, walking, pushing, pulling, bending, kneeling , crouching/squatting and driving
• Must be able to lift at least 100 lbs.; using proper body mechanics.

Work Environment:

• Location: Facility; LTC Facility Following Universal Precautions; Indoors; Outdoors if necessary
• Climatic/Environmental Conditions: Could face various weather conditions traveling to and from job sites