Physical Therapist

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Performs and documents an initial exam, evaluating data to identify problems and determine a diagnosis prior to intervention.

2. Plans, prepares and carries out individually designed programs of physical treatment to maintain, improve and/or restore physical functioning, alleviate pain and prevent physical dysfunction in patients.

3. Records prognosis, treatment, response, and progress in patient's chart or enters information into computer.

4. Identifies and documents goals, anticipated progress and plans for reevaluation.

5. Administers manual exercises, massage or traction to help relieve pain, increase patient strength, or decrease or prevent deformity or crippling.

6. Evaluates effects of treatment at various stages and adjusts treatments to achieve maximum benefit.

7. Tests and measures patient's strength, motor development and function, sensory perception, functional capacity, and respiratory and circulatory efficiency and record data.

8. Instructs patient and family in treatment procedures to be continued at home.

9. Confers with the patient, medical practitioners and appropriate others to plan, implement and assess the intervention program.

10. Reviews physician's referral and patient's medical records to help determine diagnosis and physical therapy treatment required.

11. Obtains patients' informed consent to proposed interventions.

12. Discharges patient from physical therapy when goals or projected outcomes have been attained and provides for appropriate follow-up care or referrals.

13. Provides information to the patient about the proposed intervention, its material risks and expected benefits and any reasonable alternatives.

14. Informs patients when diagnosis reveals findings outside physical therapy and refer to appropriate practitioners.

15. Refers clients to community resources and services.

16. Administers treatment involving application of physical agents, using equipment, moist packs, and ultrasound machines.

17. Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education And/or Experience

Master’s Degree is required. 6 plus months of experience preferred.

Certificates and Licensure

Must hold permanent PT license from the State of Louisiana. License must be active and in good standing.