Job Summary:

Delivers comprehensive physical therapy modalities/regimens to patients in their place of residence for the purpose of developing and restoring function through rehabilitative physical therapy as directed by the supervising therapist and as prescribed by a physician.

Duties and Responsibitlies:

• Performs accurate and comprehensive screens.
• Obtains physician orders for certification and recertification of home physical therapy services.
• Ensures that changes in patients’ clinical status are communicated to other healthcare team members and Agency office staff verbally and in writing in a timely manner.
• Ensures that physician orders are communicated to other healthcare team members and Agency staff in a timely, accurate, and thorough manner.
• Coordinates care planning and delivery with the physician, patient and family/caregivers, other healthcare team members and Agency staff to facilitate optimal patient outcomes.
• Educates patients, their families/caregivers and other staff as appropriate, in appropriate physical therapy modalities as directed by the supervising therapist..
• Delivers physical therapy modalities appropriate to the patient’s clinical status and needs, and in accordance with the standard of care for patient’s age.
• Provides, modifies or discontinues physical therapy modalities based upon an ongoing assessment/reassessment of the patient’s clinical status and in accordance with physician orders and as directed by the supervising therapist..
• Assesses the patient for the need for durable medical equipment as well as other adaptive equipment needs as directed by the supervising therapist.
• Assists with appropriate home exercise programs tailored to the patient’s clinical status, needs and age as directed by the supervising therapist.
• Synthesizes data from the physical examination and analyzes data to make clinical judgments regarding patient management.
• Utilizes appropriate pain management modalities that include, but are not limited to, physical therapy modalities.
• Educates the patient and/or caregiver in effective pain management modalities as directed.
• Provides physical therapy modalities in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
• Identifies risk of injuries or threats to life and health in the patient’s environment, i.e., environmental/safety/mobility risks and implements appropriate interventions to reduce those risks.
• Addresses and supports cultural practices providing such practices do not harm the patient or others, and do not interfere with the planned course of physical therapy.
• Performs transfer and discharge planning functions in accordance with Agency policy and applicable laws, regulations and standards.
• Participates in the organization’s information management program.
• Complies with the Agency’s policies.
• Adheres to all applicable laws, regulations and standards.
• Completes and submits necessary documentation in accordance with Agency policy and applicable regulations.
• Submits verification of completed visits in accordance with Agency policy.
• Participates in interdisciplinary team conferences in accordance with Agency policy.
• Maintains current knowledge of community resources. Identifies and accesses appropriate external and internal resources to meet patient and/or family needs and to facilitate optimal patient outcomes while home care services are being provided, and for transfer and discharge processes.

Regulatory Requirements:

• Current valid state Physical Therapy Assistant license
• Graduate of an accredited physical therapy assistant curriculum/school
• Prior home health experience preferred.
• Health certificate/physical examination and current TB testing.
• Current liability insurance.

Language Skills:

• Able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Additional languages preferred.

Skills:

• Understands regulations/standards applicable to home healthcare.
• Knowledge of general physical therapy modalities and scope of physical therapy practice within the state.
• Flexible, yet organized, with ability to exercise sound judgment.

Physical Demands:

• For physical demands of position, including vision, hearing, repetitive motion and environment, see following description.