Physical Therapist

Summary:

The Physical Therapist restores patient's function, alleviates pain, and prevents disabilities by planning and administering medically prescribed physical therapy.

Essential Job Duties/Responsibilities:

• Meets the patient's goals and needs and provides quality care by assessing and interpreting evaluations and test results; determining physical therapy treatment plans in consultation with physicians or by prescription.
• Helps patient accomplish treatment plan and accept therapeutic devices by administering manual exercises; instructing, encouraging, and assisting patients in performing physical activities, such as non-manual exercises, ambulatory functional activities, and daily-living activities and in using assistive and supportive devices, such as crutches, canes, and prostheses.
• Administers physical therapy treatments by manual therapy; exercise; initiating traction; applying physical agents; vasopneumatic compression; cryotherapy and other modes of treatment.
• Evaluates effects of physical therapy treatments and fit of prosthetic and orthotic devices by observing, noting, and evaluating patient's progress; recommending adjustments and modifications.
• Completes discharge planning by consulting with physicians, nurses, social workers, and other health care workers; contributing to patient care conferences.
• Assures continuation of therapeutic plan following discharge by designing home exercise programs; instructing patients, families, and caregivers in home exercise programs; recommending and/or providing assistive equipment; recommending outpatient or home health follow-up programs.
• Documents patient care services by charting in patient and department records.
• Maintains patient confidence and protects hospital operations by keeping information confidential.
• Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols.
• Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; following manufacturer's instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions; calling for repairs.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.
• Develops physical therapy staff by providing information; developing and conducting in-service training programs.
• Complies with federal, state, and local legal and professional requirements by studying existing and new legislation; anticipating future legislation; enforcing adherence to requirements; advising management on needed actions.
• Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s/Doctorate degree preferred. 3-5 years of experience preferred.
• Needs to have knowledge, if not additional training, in orthopedic and vestibular therapy.
• Ability and willingness to treat all patients with the utmost kindness and consideration.
• Friendly personality with the desire to work with the public.
• Communicate patient problems to medical staff.
• Ability to relate to the public regardless of ethnic, religious and economic status.
• Knowledge of computer software and programs.