What are the responsibilities and job description for the Physical Therapist position at High Desert PACE?
Description
As a PACE Physical Therapist, you will play a pivotal role in our interdisciplinary team, providing high-quality physical therapy services to our elderly participants. You will assess, plan, and implement rehabilitative programs to address mobility issues, improve functional abilities, and enhance overall well-being. Your expertise will contribute to optimizing the health and independence of our participants, allowing them to live fulfilling lives in their communities.
Requirements
Responsibilities
The working conditions and 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.
As a PACE Physical Therapist, you will play a pivotal role in our interdisciplinary team, providing high-quality physical therapy services to our elderly participants. You will assess, plan, and implement rehabilitative programs to address mobility issues, improve functional abilities, and enhance overall well-being. Your expertise will contribute to optimizing the health and independence of our participants, allowing them to live fulfilling lives in their communities.
Requirements
Responsibilities
- Participate as a member of the interdisciplinary team (IDT) and completes initial, semi- annual, unscheduled, and annual assessments; attend morning updates and report changes in participants’ baseline status to appropriate staff on a daily basis.
- Involved in the development and implementation of quality assessment and performance improvement (QAPI) activities.
- Provide regular updates to team on participants' status in therapy.
- Assess the need for adaptive equipment and durable medical equipment (DME); order and facilitate authorization of such equipment; assess, recommend, and provide follow-through therapy for specialized shoes.
- Participate in meetings as indicated (morning, team, family, nursing facility, assisted living facility, and hospital).
- Provide treatment as indicated.
- Utilize appropriate safety measures when providing care.
- Develop special programs according to participant needs.
- Educate staff, participants, and family on services available through physical therapy staff.
- Develop, instruct, and supervise other staff, and/or family members on therapy program to be carried out by individuals other than a physical therapist.
- Provide initial and ongoing training, education, and supervision for physical therapist assistant(s), including all areas of performance with departmental policies; report as required to supervisor regarding these issues
- Train and supervise restorative aides as assigned, including all areas of performance consistent with departmental policies; report as required to supervisor regarding these issues.
- Review and revise restorative exercises as indicated.
- Provide orientation and training in regard to body mechanics and lift equipment to newly hired staff monthly and as requested.
- When appropriate, delegate oversight of PT interventions and activities, as determined by IDT on plan of care, to restorative aide in a timely manner.
- Communicate observed staffing needs/changes and further program development needs to supervisor.
- Complete documentation as required.
- Adjust schedule as needed to meet the needs of High Desert PACE participants.
- Maintain confidentiality regarding participant, staff, contractor, and organizational information.
- Performs skilled treatments and assessments to participants at their homes as necessary.
- Attend and participate in staff meetings, in-services, projects, and committees as assigned.
- Adhere to and support the center’s practices, procedures, and policies including assigned break times and attendance.
- Accept assigned duties in a cooperative manner; and perform all other related duties as assigned.
- Be flexible in schedule of hours worked, and in scheduling participants’ treatments to accommodate the participants’ availability.
- May require use of personal vehicle to provide therapy services in participant’s residence.
- Must be a licensed driver by the state of California with a good driving record to be approved to utilize the company’s car for home visits.
- Train and supervise restorative aides as assigned, including all areas of performance consistent with departmental policies; report as required to supervisor regarding these issues.
- Review and revise restorative exercises as indicated.
- Provide orientation and training in regards to body mechanics and lift equipment to newly hired staff monthly and as requested.
- When appropriate, delegate oversight of PT interventions and activities, as determined by IDT on plan of care, to restorative aide in a timely manner.
- Communicate observed staffing needs/changes and further program development needs to supervisor.
- Complete documentation as required.
- Adjust schedule as needed to meet the needs of High Desert PACE participants.
- Maintain confidentiality regarding participant, staff, contractor, and organizational information.
- Performs skilled treatments and assessments to participants at their homes as necessary.
- Attend and participate in staff meetings, in-services, projects, and committees as assigned.
- Adhere to and support the center’s practices, procedures, and policies including assigned break times and attendance.
- Accept assigned duties in a cooperative manner; and perform all other related duties as assigned.
- Be flexible in schedule of hours worked, and in scheduling participants’ treatments to accommodate the participants’ availability.
- May require use of personal vehicle to provide therapy services in participant’s residence.
- Must be a licensed driver by the state of California with a good driving record to be approved to utilize the company’s car for home visits.
- Minimum of one (1) year of documented experience working with a frail or elderly population as a physical therapist.
- Appropriate clinical placement experience may be substituted.
- Bachelor's degree in physical therapy from an accredited program.
- Maintains current license with the state of California.
- Current CPR is required before engaging in direct participant care/contact.
- Is medically cleared for communicable diseases and has all immunizations up to date before engaging in direct participant contact.
- Ability to cope with mental and emotional stress related to the position; and must have personal integrity.
- Ability to function independently and to work effectively and in a collegial manner with all members of the interdisciplinary team, co-workers, and department heads.
- Ability to relate to the public and governmental agencies in a pleasant, patient, and professional manner.
- Well organized, dependable, flexible, and resourceful
- Must have excellent communication skills.
The working conditions and 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.
- Primarily work indoors.
- Usually have their own office or a shared office space
- Are exposed daily to participants who have diseases or infections.
- Wear protective clothing such as a gown, masks, and gloves, as needed.
- Work very close to others, especially when examining participants.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, and/or stand.
- The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.