Physical Therapist

Duties and Responsibilities

Administrative Functions

• Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, and direct our physical therapy services, as well as its programs and activities, in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern nursing care facilities.
• Communicate with staff from related departments when planning therapy services.
• Develop and maintain occupational therapy standards.
• Assist in standardizing the methods in which physical therapy will be accomplished.
• Review physical therapy policies, procedures, manuals, job descriptions, a minimum of annually.
• Interpret physical therapy policies and procedures to personnel, residents, family members, as necessary.
• Participate in discharge planning, development and implementation of resident care plans, resident assessments, as necessary.
• Assume the authority, responsibility, and accountability of directing the occupational therapy department in conjunction with the Director of Rehabilitation.
• Maintain treatment records, resident files, and progress notes, as required.
• Work with the Facility’s consultants for equipment, custom wheelchairs, etc.
• Ensure that billing for therapy services rendered are coded accurately and in accordance with current standards. All billing and daily notes must be completed on the date of service.
• Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, charting, as necessary.
• Write appropriate orders for Physical Therapy services rendered in the electronic medical chart.
• Report any questions or concerns to your Director of Rehabilitation.
• Supervise physical therapy assistants in accordance with state & board policies, and review treatment/documentation.
• Administer therapy services via Telehealth as required to maintain compliance.

Therapy Functions

• Review requests for physical therapy services and physician orders.
• Interview resident to determine type of treatments needed and schedule therapy, as ordered.
• Select rehabilitative and therapeutic activities and exercises based on medical and social history of residents.
• Participate in the development and implementation of resident assessments (MDS) and care plans, including quarterly reviews.
• Inform resident of procedures involved in physical therapy and prepare necessary equipment.
• Assist in transporting resident to and from physical therapy room or area.
• Demonstrate to residents and staff personnel, as necessary, the procedures involved in the treatment process.
• Perform physical therapy in resident’s room, as necessary.
• Reassure resident before and during therapy treatment.
• Prepare resident for treatment by dress or position and administer occupational therapy in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Instruct and supervise resident during therapy.
• Assist residents in ambulatory training, as necessary.
• Recommend modifications and changes in the resident’s therapy treatment as indicated.
• Ensure that all therapist notes are informative, follow guidelines, and are descriptive of the care provided and of the resident’s response to the care

Staff Development

• Participate in programs designed for in-service education and on-the-job training.
• Attend and participate in workshops, seminars, to keep informed of current changes in the field, as well as to build skills and enhance growth and development.
• Attend and participate in Facility in-service training programs as scheduled (e.g., OSHA, TB, HIPAA, Abuse Prevention, Safety, Infection Control, etc.).

Safety and Sanitation

• Follow established safety standards for the physical therapy department.
• Follow established departmental policies and procedures at all times, including appropriate dress code.
• Comply with the Facility’s established safety precautions at all times.
• Wear and/or use safety equipment and supplies when lifting or moving residents.
• Assist in identifying departmental procedures that involve exposure to blood or body fluids.
• Follow established infection control procedures and universal precautions when performing duties.
• Ensure that the therapy area is maintained in a clean and safe manner for resident comfort and convenience by assuring that necessary equipment and supplies are maintained to perform such services.
• Follow reporting procedures when observing any hazardous conditions or equipment.
• Wear personal protective clothing when performing services that involve potential exposure to blood or body fluids.

Equipment and Supply Functions

• Provide necessary material and equipment for resident to perform required therapy.
• Report any inventory, equipment, or supply needs to your supervisor.
• Utilize all department equipment and supplies in an efficient manner that promotes desired therapy outcomes and minimizes waste.
• Operate physical therapy equipment in a safe manner.

Resident Rights

• Honor the resident’s refusal of treatment request.  Report such action to your supervisor.
• Abide by the resident’s participation in treatment decision.
• Inform the resident of consequences of not participating in prescribed therapy and document such action in the resident’s clinical record.
• Report any resident complaints or grievances to the department supervisor.
• Allow the residents to participate in the planning and scheduling of their treatment, as requested.
• Adhere to all HIPAA requirements.
• Report medical concerns and changes in condition to the resident’s nurse and the therapy supervisor.

Working Conditions

• Works in office areas, therapy rooms, resident rooms, etc.
• Is involved with physicians, residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies or personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.
• Communicates with the medical staff, nursing personnel, and other department directors.
• Must be constantly alert for resident safety.
• Attends and participates in continuing educational programs as may be required by current regulations.
• Is subject to lifting, carrying and supporting residents.
• Maintains communication with the residents, their families, other departments, etc., to adequately plan for the resident’s occupational therapy needs.

Education

• Must possess, as a minimum, a Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy (or equivalent) from an accredited college or university.

Physical and Sensory Requirements

(With or Without a Reasonable Accommodation)

Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday. Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to assure that the requirements of this position can be fully met. Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of the Facility, which may include a medical and physical examination. Based on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Guidelines for Nursing Homes Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders and the American Conference Governmental Industrial Hygienists' Threshold Limit Values for Lifting the Facility has identified that this job may require the lifting of residents, equipment, or other objects.  Accordingly, this job may require a minimum of 5 pounds and a maximum of 45 pounds lifting, periodically and or as needed.

Specific Requirements

Must possess a current, unencumbered license to practice as a Physical Therapist in this state. Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language. Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action in a timely fashion. Must be knowledgeable of physical therapy procedures. Must possess leadership and supervisory ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with and supervise other personnel. Must possess the ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies, procedures, etc., of the physical therapy service. Must maintain the care and use of supplies, equipment, etc., and maintain the appearance of therapy areas. Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing therapy services. Must be able to relate information concerning a resident’s condition.