Physical Therapist

Position: Physical Therapist

Reports to: Director of Nursing

Area: Green Cove Springs, Middleburg, Orange Park

Position Summary

Plans and provides physical therapy services to clients in their homes in accordance with the Plan of Care and Agency policies and procedures. The Physical therapist performs functions that require substantial specialized knowledge, judgement, and skill and must be able to make judgments accordingly. 

Qualifications 

• Graduate of a Physical Therapy program approved by the American physical Therapy Association, the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation of the American Medical Association, or the Council on Medical Education of the American Medical Association and the American physical Therapy Association. 
• Has a current license/registration as a Physical Therapist in the state(s) of practice.
• Minimum of one (1) years experience in health care field. Home care experience preferred.
• Current CPR certification. 
• Demonstrates strong verbal and written communication skills and good interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrates ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Licensed driver with automobile insured in accordance with state and/or Agency requirements with good driving record.

Essential Functions/Areas of Accountability

1. Performs physical therapy assessments, diagnostic tests, skilled procedures, and ongoing evaluation for clients who are receiving services under a medically approved Plan of Care.
   1. Completes evaluation assessments within seventy-two (72) hours of referral unless other arrangements are made.
   2. Completes comprehensive assessments including OASIS data set within forty-eight (48) hours of referral for therapy services unless other arrangements are made.
   3. Develops a therapy care plan to provide direction to other health team members involved in the plan of care. Reviews and updates per Agency policy and client need. 
   4. Documents all findings, plans, interventions, and outcomes and submits documentation to the Agency within agency guidelines.
   5. Communicates plans and changes to the physician and to the client Case Manager and other caregivers through the care plan, progress notes, and participation in care conferences.
   6. Communicates changes in schedule and physician orders to the office on the day the changes are made.
2. Implements teaching appropriate to the client's needs and within the context of his/her environment and learning ability. 
   1. Assesses knowledge level of client and identifies learning needs.
   2. Plans, teaches, supervises, and counsels clients about their physical therapy needs to promote improvement or recovery, symptom management of disease process, and community resources. 
   3. Evaluates the effectiveness of the teaching plan and establishes care plan for others to follow in teaching the client.
   4. Attends and actively contributes to interdisciplinary team or other required meetings. 
   5. Shares areas of expertise among and between teams. Initiates interdisciplinary referrals.
   6. Participates in discharge planning and documents this in client record.
3. Assists in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the ongoing quality improvement process.
   1. Serves on the Clinical Record Review Committee.
   2. Uses OASIS assessment tool and outcome reports to improve therapy services and client outcomes.
   3. Participates with interdisciplinary team to assure consistency in data collection methods.
4. Promotes personal safety and a safe environment for clients and coworkers.
   1. Demonstrates knowledge of safety/infection control practices by compliance with agency policies and procedures.
   2. Recognizes and responds to potentially unsafe situations.
   3. Demonstrates safe practice in the use of equipment.
   4. Assesses safety of environment and takes initiative to help prevent accidents and promote safety. 
5. Supervises applicable home care team members.
   1. Performs in-home supervision of home health aides and physical therapy assistants as directed and according to Agency policy.
   2. Evaluates performance and provides timely review as delegated. 
6. Performs other relate duties and responsibilities as deemed necessary.
7. Performs job in compliance with Agency policies and procedures and professional and community standards.
   1. Provides services in accordance with applicable state and federal standards.
   2. Attends meeting and required educational programs. 
   3. Accepts responsibility for personal and professional development and identifies learning/developmental needs to supervisor.

Supervision of Physical Therapy Assistants

1. Instructs and supervises Physical Therapy Assistants in certain phases of the physical therapy services they may provide to clients.
2. Available by telephone to the Physical Therapy Assistant at all times when a Physical Therapy Assistant is providing treatment to a client. 
3. Supervises on-site while the Physical Therapy Assistant is rendering client care when needed or during physical therapist home visit.
4. Completes an on-site functional assessment, review, and revision of the Plan of Care, and an assessment of utilization of community resources.