Physical Therapy

To be part of our organization, every employee should understand and share in the YNHHS Vision, support our Mission, and live our Values. These values - integrity, patient-centered, respect, accountability, and compassion - must guide what we do, as individuals and professionals, every day.

Provides complete assessment and physical therapy to individuals accepted for admission to the Visiting Nurse Association of Southeastern Connecticut therapeutic home care program. The registered physical therapist is directly responsible to the Supervisor of Therapy Services. Must have own vehicle and proof of auto insurance.

EEO/AA/Disability/Veteran

• 1. Completes comprehensive evaluation of patient's level of function within his/her respective area of practice by applying diagnostic and prognostic procedures. Participates in development of total patient care plan. A copy of the initial evaluation is included in the patient's record and a copy forwarded to the physician within 10 days of admission to PT services by the physical therapist.
• 2. Prepares, implements, and documents a therapeutic plan based on the initial evaluation and the total patient care plan. The plan is developed in collaboration with the client, family, nurse, physician, and other professionals involved with the patient.
• 3. Provides direct physical therapy.
• 4. Instructs patient/caregiver in care and use of adaptive equipment, prosthetic, and orthotic devices.
• 5. Instructs patient, family, and other agency health care personnel in patient's treatment regimen when indicated.
• 6. Supervises family members and/or homemaker-home health aides when such personnel are participating in the patient's regimen.
• 7. Identifies patient/family needs for other home health services and referral for same when needed.
• 8. Participates in case management conferences. Provides appropriate consultation to personnel.
• 9. Reevaluates patient status at appropriate intervals and makes program changes when indicated after consultation with primary care nurse and physician. At least every 60 days a summary of the patient's progress is recorded with a copy of the summary filed in the clinical record and a copy forwarded to the physician by the primary agency.
• 10. Maintains communication with the primary care nurse and the physician in order to be apprised of changes in the patient's condition or total care plan. All communications must be documented in patient clinical record. Submits dated and signed clinical notes for each visit to agency within 7 days of visit. Clinical notes must include dates of service, service provided, progress, changes in treatment, modality, any other significant information, signature, and title.
• 11. Refers patient or family to appropriate community resources.
• 12. Participates in discharge planning from physical therapy with the patient, the primary care nurse, and the physician. At the time of discharge a summary including the patient's functional abilities and deficits shall be forwarded to the VNA. A copy will be forwarded to the physician within seven days of discharge.
• 13. Participates in at least 12 hours inservice per year.

EDUCATION

Current license in Connecticut as physical therapist. ' Bachelor of Science Degree in physical therapy from an accredited school. ' Three years clinical experience in physical therapy or is supervised by the therapist with this experience. ' Pre-employment physical including tuberculosis test and physician's statement that employee is free of communicable disease.

SPECIAL SKILLS

Medium to heavy work. Constant handling of under 10 pounds to occasional handling of 70 pounds. Frequent driving required. Standing, walking and handling are performed on a constant basis. Sitting, carrying, bending lifting/lowering, pushing/pulling with whole body and with arms are performed on a frequent basis. Squatting/kneeling, twisting, and reaching are performed on an occasional basis. The highest physical demand of this position are incurred while transferring a client requiring maximal assist of one or more persons, for example, side lying to sitting, sitting to standing, and lifting from chair, commode, toilet, or bed. Loads lifted or forces exerted up to 70 pounds for client weighing up to 220 pounds in height range of 15-36 inches.