SUMMARY: The Physical Therapist is responsible for providing Physical Therapy evaluations and delivering a full range of therapeutic interventions in an interdisciplinary environment consistent with the position’s qualifications, professional practices, and ethical standards in inpatient and outpatient care.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduate of an accredited school of Physical Therapy required.


• Current Minnesota Physical Therapy license.

• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required within 3 months of hire.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
• Ability to read and communicate effectively.
• Strong written and verbal skills.
• Basic computer knowledge.
• Knowledge of physical medicine, physical therapy modalities, anatomy and physiology
• Knowledge of physical therapy machine operation and relevant maintenance.
• Decision-making and problem solving.
• Team building.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Selects evaluations and treatment methods appropriate to the diagnosis, age group, and patient’s physical and emotional status and formulas appropriate treatment plans.

• Chooses appropriate evaluations tests/tools as relevant to diagnosis and reason for referral.

• Administers appropriate tools/tests and interprets data accurately based on feedback from treatment team.

• Develop goals and treatments plans that reflect the evaluation findings and area prioritized based on input from patient, family and team.

• Formulates comprehensive treatment plans to improve functional status of patient and address reason for referral.

• Demonstrates essential skill competencies in the use of treatment modalities, equipment and protocols.

• Performs re-evaluations according to department guidelines, adjusting the treatment plan accordingly.

• Applies knowledge of therapeutic techniques during the evaluation and throughout the course of treatment and adjusts the treatment plan regularly and appropriately as patient status changes as evidenced by the treatment plan.

• Demonstrates current knowledge of the application of therapeutic techniques and evaluations methods as evidenced by documentation, medical records, and observation.

• Demonstrates creative problem solving and diversity when adapting the treatment to special circumstances as evidenced by team feedback and documentation.

• Direct, supervise and coordinate physical therapy activities provided by the occupational therapy assistant and aide to abide by state practice act and ensure quality patient care.

• Assumes complete responsibility over the course of physical therapy patient management from the time of initial contact to discharge for functional progress, safety and treatment outcome as evidenced by team feedback and documentation.

• Address discharge planning needs from initial evaluation to discharge as evidenced by team feedback and documentation.

• Adheres to department policy regarding timeframe, form and content of written evaluations, progress notes and discharge summaries.

• Document the results of the evaluations clearly and completely, including all essential elements according to department policy.

• Completes daily progress notes that reflect patient’s response to treatment, actual performance, and an assessment as to status, relevant to the treatment plan and eventual discharge needs and treatment summaries of needed as evidenced by chart review.

• Completes discharge notes that include a summary of the cours e of treatment, progress toward goals, discharge needs, recommendations for follow-up, and patient and/or family education as evidenced by chart review and team feedback.

• Documents clearly, concisely and legibly within established timeframes (e.g. allows other therapists to continue treatment, allows for interpretation by payers, supports reimbursement) as evidenced by chart review.

• Documents evidence of patients and family/caregiver education as evidenced by chart review.

• Communicates effectively with patients, family, medical staff, care reams members, students, supervisors and outside contacts.

• Contacts families, physicians or other healthcare team members in anticipation of special needs of the patients or family in a timely manner to facilitate effective treatment plans as evidenced by observation, chart review and team feedback.

• Provides educational materials and methods appropriate to the patient’s level of understanding and motivation as evidenced by chart review, observation, and team feedback. Includes family/caregiver in education and training as appropriate as evidenced by observation and documentation.

• Demonstrates collaboration in communication with team members and is open to feedback and receptive to change as evidenced by team feedback.

• Gives appropriate instruction and supervision to assistive personnel consistent with program/clinic policy and regulatory requirements.

• Completes all administrative and other responsibilities in support of the operating unit.

• Maintains productivity standards set by department/clinic and makes efficient use of non-billable time, minimizing use of non-billable times.

• Completes routine administrative responsibilities within established timeframes consistently (e.g. time cards, coverage notes, and charge entry).

• Contributes to educational efforts of department/clinic as evidenced by program/ clinic specific documentations.

• Assumes leadership roles in committees, department processes and special projects in accordance with clinical expertise and individual performance plan.

• Demonstrates fiscal responsibility and knowledge about (e.g. supplies, equipment, billing, staff resources) used in the department as evidenced by team feedback and observation.

• Participates in all infection control, departmental equipment training and organizational safety and fire safety programs.

• Perform Homecare assessments and treatments as appropriate.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:

• To fully support organization’s policies.

• To abide by Keys to Heartfelt Care

• To always maintain high quality PT services and quality of patient care as a priority.

• Regular attendance is necessary for continued employment.

OTHER:

• This job description is not intended to be all inclusive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or is a logical assignment to the position.