Physical Therapist

1. Evaluates, plans and administers treatment to patients in accordance with the healthcare provider order, and accepted standards of professional practice.

• Establishes a system to provide timely and accurate rehabilitation assessment.
• Conducts a thorough evaluation according to referral script.
• Utilizes evaluation skills to assist in determining an accurate diagnosis and plan of care.
• Provides evidence-based treatment services to restore, maintain or improve patient functions including gait training, strengthening, etc.
• Develops treatment plan in collaboration with patient, family support systems and members of healthcare team.
• Evaluates patient’s treatment goals for needed changes according to patient condition.
• Performs therapy treatment and modality procedures ethically per APTA and clinic guidelines.
• Re-evaluates patient on a regular basis and adjust treatment accordingly using subjective and objective information.
• Utilizes space and equipment in cooperation with other staff.
• Integrates both manual and non-manual therapy skills in treatment of patients where indicated.

2. Evaluates treatment efficacy and patient progress and makes any necessary adjustments in the care plan to optimize patient care.

• Complete treatment plan to meet regulatory guidelines.
• Incorporates plans for discharge in treatment plan in collaboration with patient and support system.
• Educates family and/or support system to functional needs and equipment/resources to meet these needs.
• Utilizes outcome measurements to objectively assess effectiveness of treatment interventions.
• Evaluates patient’s treatment goals and adjusts plan of care according to patient condition.

3. Performs and maintains documentation.

• Documents accurate and ongoing assessments of patient status in a timely manner that reflect physical therapy interventions, patient responses, patient teaching and status of outcomes at discharge.
• Completes accurate reporting of billing in a timely manner.

4. Communicates effectively.

• Communicates and collaborates effectively with other health team members regarding patient condition, physical therapy plan of care, patient satisfaction needs and recommendations for meeting identified outcomes.
• Promotes and maintains positive inter- and intra- departmental communications.
• Follows approved shift report format when communicating patient information.
• Identifies and recognizes abnormal symptoms/changes in patient condition, established priorities, and takes appropriate action. Appropriately reports condition changes to medical provider.

5. Promotes and ensures patient and staff safety in all aspects of responsibilities.

• Administers medications, treatments and procedures in a timely and safe manner according to physician orders and hospital policy, including appropriate performance of standard precautions, using two patient identifiers, and performing patient risk assessments every shift.
• Utilizes proper body mechanics, transfer/lifting techniques to minimize fall risk to patient and injury to self.
• Uses National Patient Safety Goals (for critical access hospitals) to ensure patient safety.
• Implements infectious disease controls as appropriate including isolation procedures, proper use of hand washing and gloves.

6. Performs other duties as assigned.