PHYSICAL THERAPIST-FULL TIME

SUMMARY

To provide professional physical therapy service by performing evaluations, establishing treatment programs and administering PT procedures to patients in the areas of inpatient/outpatient, birth to geriatrics.

JOB DUTIES

Demonstrates the ability to request clarification of PT services.

Able to adjust communication style to suit the patient/significant other at patient’s/significant other’s level of understanding.

Communicates with other members of the PT department routinely regarding caseload and the need for assistance and availability to assist on other units based on daily caseload.

Documentation on medical record according to department policies and procedures - evaluation, progress notes, re-evaluations, discharge summaries.

Ensures all patients have been referred by a physician (designated Licensed Independent Practitioners-per State Board) before rendering PT services.

Provides detailed assessment; /- motor and sensory evaluation, /- analysis of functional status following departmental guidelines.

Assessments completed in a timely manner per PT policies and procedures.

Develops a treatment plan and appropriate PT intervention.

Establishes goals that are functional and measurable.

Patient/family goal a component of the treatment plan.

Completes patient and family caregiver education for HEP.

Administers appropriate treatments and trains patient/significant other in care.

Monitors patient progress/response to therapy and alters treatment plan as required and also corresponds with referral source as required.

Submit accurate charges based on services rendered according to department policies and procedures.

Assess the need for and recommend the use of an assistive device(s) to increase a patient’s functional independence.

Fabricates/orders and monitors the use of splints/orthotics as indicated and according to the department policies and procedures.

Demonstrates knowledge of standards of PT care when implementing PT interventions.

Demonstrates an active role in acquiring/maintaining a patient caseload that satisfies productivity standards.

Supports concept of team treatment with the use of PTA’s as appropriate.

Provides departmental in-service after attending a continuing education seminar.

Assist with departmental policies and procedures as instructed.

Active participation in the orientation/clinical supervision of MMC PT dept. volunteers, new staff, students of clinically affiliated schools.

AGE/DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

Demonstrates knowledge about specific reflexes/balance reactions for infant, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric.

Choice of evaluation in accordance with developmental abilities of infant, pediatric, adolescent.

Alert for signs of decreased stamina; adult, geriatric.

Considers life’s changing roles; adult, geriatric.

Considers limitations that might be pre-existing; geriatric.

Alert to patient’s visual and hearing status during treatments; geriatric.

Involves parents/caregivers and allows a security object, when appropriate; infant, pediatric, adolescent.

Utilizes handouts to reinforce material; infant, pediatric, adolescent, adult, geriatric.

Involves family/patient/significant other; adult, geriatric.

Documents outcomes and progress with therapy; infant, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric.

Recognizes and reports norms not at age level; infant, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric.

Ensures safety in treatment environment; infant, pediatric, adolescent.

Considers limitations of patient and takes measures to protect them; infant, pediatric, adolescent, adult, geriatric.

 SPECIFIC JOB DEMANDS

Strength: Medium Work - Lifting, Carrying, Pushing, Pulling 20 - 50 Lbs. occasionally, 10 - 25 Lbs. frequently or up to 10 Lbs. constantly.

Stooping: Occasionally - Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist, requiring full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.

Reaching: Frequently - Extending hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction.

Handling: Frequently - Seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with hand or hands. Fingers are involved only to the extent that they are an extension of the hand, such as to turn a switch or shift automobile gears.

Fingering: Frequently - Picking, pinching, or otherwise working primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.

Feeling: Frequently - Noting attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature, or texture, by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.

Talking: Frequently - Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word to impart oral information to clients or to the public and to convey detailed spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.

Hearing: Frequently - Perceiving the nature of sounds by ear.

Near Acuity: Frequently - Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less.

Accommodation: Occasionally - Adjustment of lens of eye to bring an object into sharp focus. This factor is required when doing near point work at varying distances from the eye.

Color Vision: Frequently - Ability to identify and distinguish colors.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

Must have a degree in physical therapy from an approved school. Must hold a license for physical therapy current in the state of Pennsylvania and/or be working towards getting a license as would be the case of new graduates. Computer skills necessary including word processing and the use of the Internet. Experience in spreadsheets and databases is desired.

Must be able to communicate and exchange information effectively:

Receive and exchange treatment information with physicians, and provide education when necessary.

Provide explanations to patients, families and/or significant others and visitors for treatment plan, procedure and purpose of the P.T. intervention. c. Provide a means to facilitate effective treatment to patients.

Communicate in a positive environment to all members of the physical therapy department and Meadville Medical Center staff.

Provide instruction to students, volunteers, observers.

Analytical skills and organizational skills to develop and implement a plan for physical therapy care appropriate to the unique needs of the patient. Problem solving in a timely, efficient manner concerning patient’s mental and physical wellbeing to enhance a patient’s functional independence.

Ability to concentrate, prioritize, plan, react calmly and perform as a professional physical therapist to resolve patient care problems, interact with patients, families an other team members, in occasional stressful situations.

Stroke education required. Refer to Administrative Policy A-148 for specific education requirements.

 WORKING CONDITIONS

Patient care environment, inside climate controlled environment with little exposure noise and dust. Occasional exposure to variations in temperature with moist heat and cold packs, exposure to electrical appliances. Employee may be required to perform onsite consulting for industries and/or businesses.

May be subject to patient care activities, occasional exposure to communicable diseases. May be required to deal with patient elements.

Normal working hours of day shifts. Occasional weekends included, occasional holidays included.

DISCLOSURE

MMC commits to review, under the intent of this standard, and in coordination with medical professional opinion’s and physical demands job analysis performed by certified professionals, an individual’s ability to be reasonably accommodated within the role they are responsible and qualified to perform.

MMC is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) and providing equal opportunity employment for qualified persons with disabilities. All employment practices and activities are conducted on a nondiscriminatory basis. Meadville Medical Center will follow any state or local law that provides individuals with disabilities greater protection that the ADA.

Every effort has been made to make your job description as complete as possible. However, this in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific tasks does not exclude them from the position if the task is similar, related, or is a logical assignment to the position, or is imperative for patient care and to meet emergency situations.