Physical Therapist

Description Position: Physical Therapist Strength Level: Medium (DOT Standards) Supervisor: Therapy Manager/ Director of Rehab FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Summary: The Physical Therapist is a qualified, licensed professional who provides quality and efficient patient care to all ages of population in an outpatient rehabilitation program. A physical therapist will collaborate with occupational therapists and speech therapists when appropriate and supervise physical therapist assistants, physical therapy students and technicians as needed.

Essential Functions: · Patient Care · Lift minimum of 50 pounds · Documentation and report writing · In-service for staff, companies-patients · Cleaning as needed

Marginal Functions: Ordering equipment Training of new PTs, PTAs, or other staff members Education/Experience · Must be a graduate of an accredited physical therapy school and hold a current, valid Texas license or eligible for such (in the case of a new graduate) · Must have a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree in Physical Therapy

Confidential Data: · Has full and complete access to patient records and financial information · Conforms to all regulations and policies as outlined including HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability)

Orientation · Orientation time frame of up to three months · To be oriented by other physical therapists and the Director of Rehabilitation

Patient Care · Evaluates new patients using the appropriate evaluative tools. · Recognizes when patients need to be referred to a physician. · Can gather information using verbal, auditory, sensory, visual, olfactory, and tactile sources · Provides treatment in a safe manner using safe patient care techniques. · Receives and interprets information from patients including movement, posture, body mechanics, skins conditions, changes in appearance, and gait to compare to normal standards. · Can receive and interpret aural information from patients including notation of discomfort, pain, or emergent conditions · Can read and interpret patient charts, professional literature, and notes from patients, family members, physicians, and other health care providers · Designs individualized treatment programs to meet the needs of the patient and re-evaluate the program a minimum of one time per week. · Instruct patients in a home exercise program when professionally deemed necessary · Can make physical contact with patients in a non-threatening way · Has knowledge of modalities and can use as needed · Willing to learn about and use equipment introduced into the clinic · Maintains a minimal waiting time of less than 10-minutes from the set appointment time · Communicate with patients at each visit to answer questions, concerns, review information, and explain new program additions as needed · Supervise and critique patients during their exercise program · Makes recommendations for assistive devices and equipment when needed · Participate in staff meetings with physicians, employers, patients, school systems, and staff as needed · Reports equipment malfunction and does repairs as able · Conforms to HIPAA regulations regarding patient/client information · Must complete full CCUs and turn in for approval in allotted time frame · Always maintains an active physical therapist license

Report Writing – Documentation · Can document treatment plans, daily notes, progress notes, and any other necessary documents in an accurate and proper manner to remain in compliance with guidelines of medical/ legal standards or laws · Evaluation and reports are completed and sent to the appropriate person in a timely manner · Progress notes are completed in a timely manner, prior to patient’s doctor visits, or otherwise needed (every 2-4 weeks) and contain all necessary information · Other reports are completed as required · Completes daily notes in patient charts within 24 hours of treating the patient · Documents clearly and legibly in the patient’s record, to physicians, and other required documentation as necessary · Completes discharge notes within 2 weeks of notification of patient completing therapy · Sets specific, objective, quantifiable, and appropriate goals on all initial evaluations during documentation in the patient chart

In-service for staff, companies, patients/ Continuing education · Attends all in-services as required for staff · Provides educational training and in-service training as needed · Attends approved continuing education classes as required, occasionally followed by an in-service to staff

Cleaning · Will clean mats and gym area as needed · Will change pillowcases as needed · Will fold linens as needed · Will perform assigned cleaning duties Requirements Skills/Specialization: · Knowledge of proper use of modalities and other equipment used · Computer skills needed, including electronic documentation · Previous experience preferred

DIRECTS WORK of OTHERS / Number of employees for work/ supervised · 1 PT to provide therapy to a patient at a time, with assistance from technicians/ PTAs as available · Assists with supervision of PT students, PTAs, PT techs, and volunteers.

Measurements (Not all inclusive) · Boxes to shelves - weighing up to 18 pounds empty, for stacking · Weights to load boxes – 5–10-pound weights · Sacks of material - 20-50 pounds · Reaching overhead, to the floor, horizontally · Assistance with patient transfers

OSHA Category: · OSHA risk category 1- High Risk

Number of Employees Supervised: · Helps orient, train, supervise PTA’s, technicians, volunteers, and students

Physical requirements: · Be able to perform CPR, walk, and balance well enough to assist patients with walking and transferring without injury to self or patient · Must have manual dexterity to safely operate and adjust buttons and dials on therapeutic modalities and other equipment. · Must be able to measure vital signs · Must use proper body mechanics to sit, stand, walk, lift, carry, push, pull and transport patients on a variety of surfaces to reduce injury risk · Must be able to safely and effectively position hands and apply mobilization techniques or palpate body surfaces and tissue Standing--Frequent Walking--Frequent Reaching overhead, to the floor, horizontally--Frequent Squatting--Occasional Sitting-- Occasional to Frequent Seeing-- Continuously Hearing--Continuously Speaking--Frequent Writing--Frequent Pushing--Occasional Pulling--Occasional Lifting at least 50#--Frequently Driving--Occasional Gripping--Frequently Pinching--Occasional

Psychological Considerations: · Ability to take initiative · Able to communicate with doctors, patient’s family members, fellow employees, and employers in a respectful and professional manner. · Ability to work under stressful conditions and at times under deadlines · Willingness to do other tasks and duties as assigned · Conducts self in a professional manner inside and outside of the clinic · Employees have access to all patient information due to cross training and must conform to HIPAA regulations

Cognitive/Motor/ · Ability to read and write · Ability to use a computer and type · Ability to communicate clearly with patients, colleagues, physicians, other health care professionals, community, or professional groups in all the following manners: Orally, in writing, via computer, via telephone, and aurally · Ability to problem solve · Ability to understand new techniques of treatment

Physiological Considerations: · May be exposed to hazardous chemicals, fumes, and dust, loud noises, or potential falling objects on ergonomic evaluations which could affect respiratory functions, hearing, and possible injury.

Environmental Considerations: · Most of the work is done indoors. · May be exposed to blood and body fluids and contagious diseases: OSHA risk- HIGH · May find the need to perform emergency care. · May be subjected to unpredictable situations.

Reports to: · Therapy Manager/ Director of Rehabilitation

Background Chec