Physical Therapist, Lymphedema - Part Time

Upon referral and in collaboration with other members of the health care team, the PT uses clinical judgment skills to treat patients with actual or potential health problems. The PT is responsible for implementing PT programs to prevent disability from immobilization, surgery, following disease, injury or loss of body part; to restore function and return patient to maximum potential. The PT will coordinate therapy activities with other health care disciplines.

Essential Responsibilities

Delivers quality treatment programs to patients ranging in age from pediatric to geriatric in compliance with competency checklists. Evaluates the physical status, functional abilities and age-specific needs of patients to determine the current level of functioning, self-care, self-responsibility, independence, and quality of life. Develops and implements a treatment plan which involves the patient, family and social support systems: identifies interventions to reach reasonable goals; coordinate and collaborates on treatment options; advocates to enhance patients social support systems, facilitates environmental modifications, and creates new support systems. Integrates discharge planning early in treatment based on continuing assessments and stated expectations for achieving treatment goals and objectives. Provides treatments based on established departmental guidelines and protocols; demonstrates competency in managing patients based on competency checklists. Utilizes all equipment appropriately and safely per established protocols, manufacturers guidelines, and competency checklists.

• Completes all chart documentation according to the criteria of the record review checklist.
• Provides written documentation, departmental and interdepartmental, that is legible, complete, and timely.
• Provides patient handouts that are effective and appropriate for patient understanding.

Maintains professional competency by attending continuing education applicable to the specific patient population treated.

• Presents one inservice per year to PT staff.
• Supports organizational mission statement and goals.

Complies with departmental safety precautions/procedures. PPD. CPR. Safety fair. Uses safety precautions when transferring patients.

Productivity: Demonstrates time management skills by meeting productivity standards, using patient treatment time effectively, and utilizing time between patient treatments efficiently. Coordinates therapy activities with other health care disciplines when appropriate. Utilizes resources appropriately. Participates in maintaining a clean, safe, and organized department.

Responsibility: Performs duties in a professional manner demonstrating dependability, flexibility, and teamwork. Adheres to professional practice standards and guide for professional conduct. Maintains confidentiality of patient and employee medical information. Adapts to changes in assignments and/or new conditions in work environment. Actively participates in intradepartmental and interdepartmental efforts to ensure high quality, comprehensive care. Provides quality customer service. Makes accommodations in daily work schedule to meet patients needs. Interacts with patients/families/other staff in a friendly and courteous manner. Complies with Quality of Service Behavior Guidelines. Demonstrates problem solving by taking ownership of patient and organizational problems and working to resolve them when they occur. Demonstrates initiative by independently beginning new projects and/or resolving departmental issues. Demonstrates leadership by volunteering and completing new projects and/or resolving departmental issues when needed. Demonstrates decision making by evaluating, establishing and adapting treatment plans and making recommendations to providers as needed to provide effective therapy.

Relationships: Communicates orally with patients/families/caregivers, peers and supervisors in an appropriate and effective manner. Demonstrates professional interpersonal relationships with fellow therapists, providers, and supervisors. Accepts supervision in an open and professional manner, and implements recommendations/suggestions. Communicates with patients/families/caregivers, providers, peers, and supervisors in written form that is appropriate and effective.

Basic Qualifications

• Experience
• N/A

Education

Graduate of accredited program in physical therapy.

Recent graduate of an accredited physical therapy curriculum with a bachelors, masters, or doctoral degree with certification in Physical Therapy acceptable.

Post-Graduate training and education to include, but not limited to, C. E. U. s with emphasis in lymphedema evaluation, treatment, and progression of plan of care.

License, Certification, Registration

This job requires credentials from multiple states. Credentials from the primary work state are required at hire. Additional Credentials from the secondary work state(s) are required post hire.

Physical Therapy Permit (Oregon) within 6 months of hire OR Physical Therapist License (Oregon) within 6 months of hire

Physical Therapist License (Washington) within 6 months of hire OR Physical Therapy Permit (Washington) within 6 months of hire

• National Provider Identifier required at hire
• Basic Life Support within 2 months of hire

Additional Requirements

• Equipment operation.
• Basic to moderate computer skills to complete documentation.
• Basic knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology.
• Clinical hands-on experience in PT school or post-graduate mentorship program.

Basic to moderate knowledge of lymphatic and vascular anatomy and physiology including differential diagnosis where warranted.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of patient assessment and treatment specific to patient load.
• Orthopedic skills.
• Group dynamics.
• Equipment operation.
• Advanced degree in specialty.

Expertise in designation of aerobic and anaerobic exercise programs within limitations of lymph drainage precautions to suit individual patient need(s).

Differentiation between cellulitis vs. fibrotic tissue changes during measurement, wrapping, and compressive dressing fitting of effected extremity(s).

Working knowledge of current compressive wrapping techniques used in clinic and supplies for instruction in home application.