Conducts physical therapy evaluation procedures according to professional and departmental guidelines.  

• Responds to all consults in assigned area within 24 hours; completes evaluation and documentation. 

• Reviews patient records, gathers necessary information, and clarifies physician’s orders prior to assessing the patient.  

• Selects evaluation procedures that reflect understanding of the patient’s diagnosis, abilities, and limitations.  

• Administers evaluation procedures according to the guidelines of standardized tests (including range of motion, manual muscle testing, balance, mobility); adapts evaluation procedures as indicated to accommodate the specific needs of patients.  

• Interprets evaluation results, develops an integrated diagnostic impression, and makes recommendations.  

• Performs re-evaluations according to departmental policies, change in patient’s status or response to treatment.  

• Educates patient and caregiver regarding evaluation findings and management of care recommendations.  

• Establishes treatment goals and plans that reflect the needs of the patients while meeting departmental, institutional, and third-party reimbursement requirements.  

• Formulates treatment goals and plans that reflect the patient’s unique psychological and functional deficits.  

• Establishes measurable and attainable short and long-term goals in collaboration with patient and/or caregiver.  

• Modifies goals as warranted by changes in patient’s status.  

• Assesses discharge needs of the patient and caregiver, including but not limited to: insurance issues, equipment needs, follow-up appointments, and appropriate use of community services.  

• Communicates patient care and discharge needs to team members as needed. Arranges for appropriate follow-up.  

• Implements comprehensive treatment.   

• Establishes treatment priorities based on evaluation results and the specific needs of the patients.  

• Uses creative treatment approaches and explores alternative solutions to individual patient problems.  

• Demonstrates clinical critical thinking skills with a variety of patient problems and substantiates actions taken.  

• Progresses patient treatment programs appropriately and terminates them as warranted by patient’s progress and condition.  

• Recommends and/or issues appropriate assistive devices or durable medical equipment, ensuring that it properly fits the patient.  

• Develops and instructs patient and caregiver in home programs and/or use of recommended equipment; provides verbal and/or written instructions as indicated.  

• Establishes and maintains a therapeutic relationship with all patients.  Adheres to diagnosis-related precautions.   

• Complies with departmental, institutional, and accrediting agency policies and standards.  

• Completes documentation in an accurate and timely manner according to department standards.  Completes patient care charges accurately. 

• Meets area specific productivity standards at least 95% of the time. Identifies problems and adjusts to meet targeted productivity.  

• Participates in the peer review process. Completes form thoroughly, gives meaningful and constructive feedback, and provides learning experience to peer.  

• Shows evidence of on-going professional growth and knowledge of regulations and standards.  

• Initiates independent learning opportunities, seeks out and integrates new information in daily practice. Communicates learning needs to manager.  

• Stays current with advances in physical therapy treatments and techniques through attendance of professional meetings, continuing education, and reading of current literature.  

• Shows knowledge of professional federal and state rules and regulations governing the practice of physical therapy.  

• Participates in the development and evaluation of physical therapy programs.  

• Contributes to the development and updating of clinical service line programs and other pertinent resource material.  

• Collects data required to complete departmental quality improvement projects in compliance with established department standards.  

• Contributes to the assessment, planning, and implementation of physical therapy programs in collaboration with manager and peers.  

• Collaborates with colleagues and other professionals to provide high quality patient care. 

• Serves as clinical resource for other health care professionals on assigned floors. Instructs and assists ancillary and other personnel as necessary. 

• Works as part of the rehabilitation therapy team, helping and supporting staff members as needed; listens to and seeks feedback from others; shares knowledge with others in positive manner; expresses opinions clearly.  

• Attends and participates in all mandatory department meetings.  Arrives prepared and on time.  

• Accepts and completes additional assignments as requested by manager, including membership in department and hospital task forces and committees.  

• Provides at least one evidence-based area in-service annually. Provides in-services to other hospital personnel as requested.  

• Participates responsibly in the performance review process, follows through on suggestions and recommendations, and utilizes non-productive time for own professional growth. Comes prepared to annual appraisal meetings.  

• Develops and meets annual goals with a high quality of performance.  

• Engages with manager on departmental initiatives and projects. Takes responsibility for tasks and projects and completes under guidance of manager.  

• Assists in orientation of newly hired PT staff to hospital. Supervises physical therapy students.  

• Participates in orientation of newly hired staff to hospital floors covered and verifies clinical competence on specialty areas as appropriate. Provides a well-rounded learning experience for affiliating physical therapy students.  

• Communicates with manager about progress with orientation of new staff to ensure ability to function independently. 

(The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job.  The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required).

JOB REQUIREMENTS

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: