Physical Therapist

Job Summary and Specifications 

Job Title: Physical Therapist                                    

FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary Range: See Salary Scale                       

JOB SUMMARY: RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING PHYSICAL THERAPY (PT) SERVICES TO THE SENIOR TOTAL LIFE CARE (TLC) PARTICIPANTS IN A HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED MODEL OF CARE. THE PHYSICAL THERAPIST EVALUATES AND ASSESSES PARTICIPANTS TO DETERMINE MOBILITY LEVEL AND OTHER FUNCTIONAL ABILITIES.   PROVIDES AND RECOMMENDS THERAPEUTIC EXERCISE, GAIT TRAINING, AMBULATION, ETC.  PLANS AND DEVELOPS GROUP EXERCISE PROGRAMS FOR MAINTENANCE THERAPY FOR PARTICIPANTS.  REPORTS DIRECTLY TO THE CENTER MANAGER. ALL EMPLOYEES ARE EXPECTED TO BE KNOWLEDGEABLE AND COMPLIANT WITH SENIOR TOTAL LIFE CARE VALUES OF RESPECT, INTEGRITY, ACCOUNTABILITY, COMPATIBLE GOALS, AND COMPASSIONATE CARE. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor's degree in physical therapy if obtained prior to the year 2000, if obtained after the year 2000, then Master's Degree in Physical Therapy. 

Experience:  2 years’ experience as a PT preferred, but not required, & minimum 1 year of experience working with a frail elderly population.

Number and Type of Employees Supervised (optional): Aides and PTAs as program needs indicate.

Licensure, Registry or Certification Required: Licensed Physical Therapist in NC, valid NC driver's license and vehicle.

Special Training:  Demonstrates clinical competency with geriatric population. Only act within the scope of his or her authority to practice. Meet a standardized set of competencies for the specific position description established by Senior TLC and approved by CMS before working independently.

Ages of Patients Rendered Care

  Neonate/Infant   Early Childhood    Adolescent    Adult    Geriatric   All Age Groups

Key Responsibilities: (*denotes an age-related skill or task)

* Conducts initial assessment and periodic reassessment (minimally every 6 months) and with significant change of condition) of all participants' physical condition and functional status.  Assessments must be completed prior to the scheduled team meeting.

* Develops treatment program as indicated, sets goals and provides treatment to participants.

* Records and signs treatments in participant's chart, and records, signs, and dates "Progress notes".

* Reviews and completes assessments and transfer summaries.   Plans and develops maintenance, exercise and therapy programs for participants.

* Assists in the coordination of 24-hour care delivery.   Provides training to family members, friends, and Senior Total Life Care staff members for those parts of the treatment plan that can be carried out by them.

* Provides leadership to program aides and other staff who are implementing a Physical Therapy treatment program.

* Actively functions, participates, collaborates, and contributes as a member of the Interdisciplinary Team and participates in case conferences.

* Emphasizes teamwork and collaboration in all clinic and Interdisciplinary team interactions.

* Supports his/her Interdisciplinary Team and promotes unity among the team while interacting with the team, other co-workers, and/or participants.

* Attends staff meetings and participates in participant care planning including the implementation of SMART goals/interventions for the participants’ care plans and enters all care plan information in a timely manner as per organizational protocols.

* Updates participants’ care plans appropriately throughout the reassessment period.

* Communicates any changes in participant condition to team members.

* Supports the Senior TLC mission to encourage and support the quality of life of seniors wishing to continue living in the community; its vision to be the preferred provider of individualized care for seniors in the community; and its values of respect, integrity, accountability, compatible goals, and compassionate care.

* Other duties as assigned.