Physical Therapist

The Physical Therapist reports to and receives general supervision from the Director of Rehabilitation and is responsible for providing physical therapy services to residents as ordered by the physician in compliance with current applicable federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and established policies and procedures to prevent avoidable physical and/or mental deterioration and to assist them in obtaining and maintaining their highest practicable level of functioning and  psychosocial well-being.  

Reports to: Director of Rehabilitation

Schedule: Part-Time, 8 Hour Shifts, Weekend Rotation, Holidays as needed, Days, Nights

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assess each resident’s functional abilities considering the residents capabilities, the tasks and the environments in which these tasks occur.
• Participate in completing designated section of the initial and comprehensive assessments of a resident’s physical therapy needs and the individualized care plans within established time frames. 
• Utilize evidence-based research as it applies ethically and appropriately to the physical therapy process.
• Recommend additional consultations and treatments, as needed.
• Develop, document, and implement physical therapy intervention based on the evaluation, resident goals, current best evidence, and clinical reasoning with physician approval. Review the intervention plan with the resident.
• Document changes in resident’s performance and capacities.  Modify intervention plan or discontinue services when resident has achieved identified goals, reached maximum benefit or does not desire to continue services. 
• Select therapy activities to fit resident’s needs and capabilities.  Alter treatment programs as necessary.
• Monitor and evaluate resident’s performance in therapy activities and provide encouragement.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduate of a physical therapy program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE®) or predecessor organizations.
• Must have successfully completed a period of supervised fieldwork experience required by the recognized educational institution where the applicant met the academic requirements.
• Must have passed all examinations for physical therapists.
• Possess a current and unencumbered license, registration, or certification as required by law or regulation.
• Must posses a working knowledge of Physical Therapy practices, including the ability to recall important and commonly used information in source documents, and an understanding of the application of the pertinent principles in this field.
• Abide by the Code of Ethics of the American Physical Therapy Association;
• A foreign educated occupational therapist who is a graduate of a school not approved by an accrediting agency must meet all requirements for state licensure or meet the criteria for a traineeship as a "foreign educated trainee" under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.  
• Must maintain a current license at all times throughout employment. 

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:

• Must possess adequate vision and hearing to perform essential job duties.
• Must be able to safely lift, transfer, and assist patients as needed, several times per day.
• Must be able to stand for extended periods of time and move freely throughout the facility, both in-doors and out-doors.
• Must be able to carry objects to multiple locations, safely push wheelchairs and patient beds and reach above head level several times per day.
• Must be able to perform tasks requiring mental reasoning, sequencing and discrimination.
• Must be able to perform math calculations.