Physical Therapist - Full-time

As a PACE Physical Therapist, you will play a pivotal role in our interdisciplinary team, providing high-quality physical therapy services to our elderly participants. You will assess, plan, and implement rehabilitative programs to address mobility issues, improve functional abilities, and enhance overall well-being. Your expertise will contribute to optimizing the health and independence of our participants, allowing them to live fulfilling lives in their communities.

Requirements

Responsibilities

• Participate as a member of the interdisciplinary team (IDT) and completes initial, semi- annual, unscheduled, and annual assessments; attend morning updates and report changes in participants’ baseline status to appropriate staff on a daily basis.
• Involved in the development and implementation of quality assessment and performance improvement (QAPI) activities.
•  Provide regular updates to team on participants' status in therapy.
• Assess the need for adaptive equipment and durable medical equipment (DME); order and facilitate authorization of such equipment; assess, recommend, and provide follow-through therapy for specialized shoes.
• Participate in meetings as indicated (morning, team, family, nursing facility, assisted living facility, and hospital).
•  Provide treatment as indicated.
• Utilize appropriate safety measures when providing care.
• Develop special programs according to participant needs.
•  Educate staff, participants, and family on services available through physical therapy staff.
• Develop, instruct, and supervise other staff, and/or family members on therapy program to be carried out by individuals other than a physical therapist.
•  Provide initial and ongoing training, education, and supervision for physical therapist assistant(s), including all areas of performance with departmental policies; report as required to supervisor regarding these issues
• Train and supervise restorative aides as assigned, including all areas of performance consistent with departmental policies; report as required to supervisor regarding these issues.
• Review and revise restorative exercises as indicated.
• Provide orientation and training in regard to body mechanics and lift equipment to newly hired staff monthly and as requested.
• When appropriate, delegate oversight of PT interventions and activities, as determined by IDT on plan of care, to restorative aide in a timely manner.
• Communicate observed staffing needs/changes and further program development needs to supervisor.
• Complete documentation as required.
• Adjust schedule as needed to meet the needs of High Desert PACE participants.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding participant, staff, contractor, and organizational information.
• Performs skilled treatments and assessments to participants at their homes as necessary.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings, in-services, projects, and committees as assigned.
• Adhere to and support the center’s practices, procedures, and policies including assigned break times and attendance.
• Accept assigned duties in a cooperative manner; and perform all other related duties as assigned.
• Be flexible in schedule of hours worked, and in scheduling participants’ treatments to accommodate the participants’ availability.
• May require use of personal vehicle to provide therapy services in participant’s residence.
• Must be a licensed driver by the state of California with a good driving record to be approved to utilize the company’s car for home visits.
• Train and supervise restorative aides as assigned, including all areas of performance consistent with departmental policies; report as required to supervisor regarding these issues.
• Review and revise restorative exercises as indicated.
• Provide orientation and training in regards to body mechanics and lift equipment to newly hired staff monthly and as requested.
• When appropriate, delegate oversight of PT interventions and activities, as determined by IDT on plan of care, to restorative aide in a timely manner.
• Communicate observed staffing needs/changes and further program development needs to supervisor.
• Complete documentation as required.
• Adjust schedule as needed to meet the needs of High Desert PACE participants.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding participant, staff, contractor, and organizational information.
• Performs skilled treatments and assessments to participants at their homes as necessary.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings, in-services, projects, and committees as assigned.
• Adhere to and support the center’s practices, procedures, and policies including assigned break times and attendance.
• Accept assigned duties in a cooperative manner; and perform all other related duties as assigned.
• Be flexible in schedule of hours worked, and in scheduling participants’ treatments to accommodate the participants’ availability.
• May require use of personal vehicle to provide therapy services in participant’s residence. 
• Must be a licensed driver by the state of California with a good driving record to be approved to utilize the company’s car for home visits.

Skills & Abilities

• Ability to cope with mental and emotional stress related to the position; and must have personal integrity.
• Ability to function independently and to work effectively and in a collegial manner with all members of the interdisciplinary team, co-workers, and department heads.
• Ability to relate to the public and governmental agencies in a pleasant, patient, and professional manner.
• Well organized, dependable, flexible, and resourceful
• Must have excellent communication skills.

• Minimum of one (1) year of documented experience working with a frail or elderly population as a physical therapist.
• Appropriate clinical placement experience may be substituted.
• Bachelor's degree in physical therapy from an accredited program.
• Maintains current license with the state of California.
• Current CPR is required before engaging in direct participant care/contact.
• Is medically cleared for communicable diseases and has all immunizations up to date before engaging in direct participant contact.