Physical Therapist

SUMMARY

Plans and administers physical therapy treatment for patients suffering from injuries, or muscle, nerve, joint and bone diseases, to restore function, relieve pain, and prevent disability by performing the following duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Reviews team's recommendation and student's condition and medical records to determine physical therapy treatment required.
• Tests and measures student's strength, motor development, sensory perception, functional capacity, and respiratory and circulatory efficiency, and records findings to develop or revise treatment programs.
• Plans and prepares written treatment program based on evaluation of student data.
• Administers manual exercises to improve and maintain function.
• Instructs, motivates, and assists patient to perform various physical activities and in use of assistant and supportive devices such as crutches, canes, and prostheses.
• Administers treatments involving application of physical agents.
• Evaluates effects of treatment at various stages and adjusts treatments to achieve maximum benefit.
• Administers massage.
• Administers traction to relieve pain.
• Records treatment, response, and progress in student's chart or enters information into computer.
• Instructs student and family in treatment procedures to be continued at home.
• Evaluates, fits, and adjusts prosthetic and orthotic devices and recommends modification to Orthotist.
• Confers with Physician and other practitioners to obtain additional student information, suggest revisions in treatment program, and integrate physical therapy treatment with other aspects of student's daily schedule.
• Orients, instructs, and directs work activities of assistants, paraprofessionals, and aides.
• Plans and conducts lectures and training programs on physical therapy and related topics for staff, students, and parents.
• Improve gross motor skills to improve the individual's ability to function within their environment.
• Provide individual therapy as agreed to in the student's IEP.
• Provide a thorough assessment of specified students.
• Assist and guide teachers in observing, describing and children for PT services.
• Provide assistance with referrals to outside agencies and specialists.
• Help students develop fine and gross motor skills, good posture and positioning, and sensory integration.
• Provide suggestions to classroom teachers on improving the student's daily activities.
• Act as a resource to staff and parents with information and support.
• Provide individualized therapy to meet individualized needs.
• Provide inservice training to teachers and staff on topics concerning PT.
• Maintain thorough records for students receiving PT.
• Obtain and maintain supplies and equipment needed for PT services.
• Supervise the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA).

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position may supervise (or provide input into the evaluation of) the health aides.

QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Graduate from an accredited PT program, accredited by the professional PT Association.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Must posses a National and State PT Certification.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.