Physical Therapist

Status: Exempt

Reports to: Center Administrator              

Job Summary: Within an Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) setting, responsible for promoting and maintaining the physical mobility and well-being for Participants both in the Center and at home if needed. Conducts assessments, treatments, and provides teaching and counseling to Participants and family members. Will coordinate and mentor restorative aides, center health aides and home care aides to support restorative care plans.

Essential Functions:

• Demonstrates and reflects a commitment to the mission and core values of LIFE Pittsburgh which is to support the elderly in maintaining their dignity and independence in the community.
• Demonstrates the ability to assess pre-enrollment candidates as to the appropriateness of community based living within a PACE program, specifically identifying necessary interventions to address gait, balance, coordination, transfer and functional mobility deficits to promote safe home and community living. Addresses skilled therapy needs (gait training, device utilization, strengthening, endurance, balance training, pain management, and needed participant and caregiving ongoing training / education needs (mobility training, safety training, disease training).  
• Proactively identifies physiological/psychological changes (ie, strength, mobility, balance, range of motion, and coordination and sensory deficits) in Participants through appropriate on-going assessments, IDT team discussion and collaboration and on-going care planning according to regulatory requirements and as Participants conditions change. Implements interventions and strategies to address and impact these changes for highest functioning possible (family education, team education, therapy treatments, etc).  
• Demonstrates the ability to monitor and assess current enrollees to ensure highest level of function and independence in community living setting by identifying skilled or restorative therapy needs (Strength training, gait assistive devices and training, DME needs, balance training, pain management, coordination and vestibular training, wound care needs, and caregiver training / education, home and in-center restorative programs) through bi-annual, annual, and as needed evaluations and assessment. Includes Participant and family in development of goals/interventions. 
• Instructs family caregivers and caregivers from LP and home health agencies for therapeutic continuity. Ensures follow up and monitoring occurs for optimal success and relationship building. This includes training on mobility techniques, disease presentation and progression, home exercise programs, home modifications, safety recommendations and participant progress
• Demonstrates strong clinical reasoning, clinical deduction, and problem solving in order to promote participant self-actualization, community living and aging in place. Coordinates with the interdisciplinary team to develop a comprehensive care plan for each Participant with a focus on restoring function and independence before adapting to presented deficits.
• Ensures detailed and thorough documentation, per protocols in place, to include objective assessment information in a clear, concise way. Plan of care and goals are deficit specific and measurable. Progress notes clearly describe assessment findings, treatment progress, and communications with caregivers.  
• Stays current on new assessment and treatment protocols according to industry standards in order to properly assess and treat the geriatric population with physical and mental disabilities. Utilizes clinical research skills to investigate areas outside typical skill set familiarity and applies them to clinical treatment. 
• Demonstrates the ability to adjust communication style effectively in order to ensure clear and positive exchange of information that promotes and supports cohesiveness, information sharing, collaboration and consensus. Communicates with caregivers and participants on a regular and ongoing to build rapport and explain functional performance.
• Demonstrates the ability to appropriately assess and treat various geriatric functional areas including, but not limited to, gait assessment and retraining, bed mobility, transfer techniques and strategies, mobility devices, wound care and protocols (estim), pain management (TENS, Ultrasound, ice, heat), vestibular and coordination, sensory deficits, balance, fall prevention and assessment, and cognitive limitations. Utilizes their objective assessment findings to clearly present recommendations of needed interventions, treatments and equipment to IDT.  
• Provides services promptly, exercises tact, patience and courtesy at all times and conducts themselves in a professional manner with Participants, families, co-workers and any external contacts. As a reprehensive of LIFE Pittsburgh, promotes goodwill and confidence in our Participants, staff, vendors, visitors and the general public.    
• Proactively maintains requirements for the position (e.g., access of a vehicle, valid driver’s license and auto insurance, annual TB, bi-annual physical, etc) and maintains compliance with educational requirements (e.g., Fire Safety, Infection Control, Annual Training, Safe Mobility).

Working Conditions:

• Works within the LIFE Pittsburgh Adult Day Health Centers (ADHC), travels to and works in Participant residences, hospitals, nursing home facilities or other settings in which the Participant may need support. Occasional travel for other related functions.  
• Awareness that working with LIFE Pittsburgh Participants (in the home or the center) involves the potential for exposure to unpleasant sights and smells, exposure to blood borne pathogens and/or other communicable diseases. Universal Precautions must be utilized at all times.

Knowledge /Skills / Abilities

• Ability to obtain and interpret information in terms of the specific needs of the Participant.
• Ability to read and interpret a medical chart.
• Possesses knowledge of the Human Anatomy and development of the Participant served.
• Understands the range of treatment needed by the participant served.
• Well-developed organizational and interpersonal skills. Strong written and verbal communication skills are needed.
• Ability to accurately report observations.
• Must be able to relate well with seniors and their families to deal with sensitive issues and facilitate problem solving. 
• Must be flexible and able to change easily.
• Multi-cultural experience.
• Ability to supervise rehab aides and develop restorative programs.

Required Certification/License:

• Must be a graduate of an accredited Physical Therapy Program; current/valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Physical Therapy License.
• Valid Driver’s license and automobile insurance
• Must have a vehicle for travel

Education/Experience:

• Minimum of (1) year diversified clinical experience with the geriatric population
• Experience working with and relating to the geriatric population and their family members.  

The position description is intended to describe the essential functions of the position and the general duties and responsibilities associated with the position. It is not intended to be comprehensive in nature. In addition, jobs evolve overtime and; therefore, the description may not reflect the precise nature of the position at a given point in time. Staff may be asked to perform essential and non-essential functions at any time with or without notice.