The Physical Therapist organizes and conducts physical therapy programs for the facility to facilitate rehabilitation. He/she directs client participation in selected tasks to restore, reinforce, and enhance performance. In addition, the Physical Therapist facilitates the learning of those skills and functions essential for promoting independence and productivity, in order to diminish or correct pathology. He/she directs activities to promote and maintain health.

Responsibilities:

• Evaluates residents, develops appropriate treatment goals, and methods, implements the physical therapy treatment plan, and completes all related documentation and record keeping regarding these services; services include application of therapeutic techniques in areas such as gait, ambulation, muscle strength, coordination, endurance, mobility, posture control, sensory awareness, sitting and standing skills, balance and orientation;
• Designs and fits adaptive devices, and trains residents in the use of adaptive devices including orthotics and prosthetics;
• Selects physical agent modalities suited to the individual’s needs, physical capacity, mobility activities and diagnosis;
• Consults with other members of the rehabilitation team to select the most appropriate therapeutic regimen consistent with the needs and capabilities of each resident;
• Instructs resident in the skills and techniques required for participation in mobility activities, and evaluates client progress, attitudes, and behavior as related to rehabilitative potential;
• Adapts program according to the needs of individual resident;
• Promotes a safe environment and enforces the elimination of fire and safety hazards;
• Attends and contributes to resident care, staffing conferences and other related meetings;
• Supervises supportive personnel in accordance with state and professional standards;
• Conducts training programs and participates in training medical, nursing and other personnel in physical therapy techniques and objectives;
• Orders supplies and equipment as necessary;
• Cleans, maintains, identifies, and reports the need for repair of equipment as necessary;
• Ensures that residents and families receive the highest quality of service in a caring and compassionate atmosphere that recognizes the individuals’ needs and rights.

Qualifications:

• Graduate of a physical therapy curriculum accredited jointly by the Council on Medical Education of the American Medical Association and the American Physical Therapy Association and certified by the American Physical Therapy Association under its requirements.