Physical Therapist

Summary

The Physical Therapist plans and administers medically prescribed physical therapy treatments for patients suffering from injuries, or muscle, nerve, joint, and bone diseases, in an effort to restore function, relieve pain, and prevent disability by performing the following duties: providing education and information to patients and caregivers; participating in required discharge planning, and completing all required documentation according to policy; and directing patient participation in selected tasks to restore, reinforce, and enhance performance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

These duties and responsibilities described below represent the general tasks performed on a daily basis; other tasks may be assigned.

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  Review physician's referral (prescription), patient's condition, and patient’s medical records to determine physical therapy treatment require
• dTest and measure patient's strength, motor development, sensory perception, functional capacity, respiratory, and circulatory efficiency, recording findings to develop and/or revise treatment program
• sFor managed care patients, report to the Managed Care Liaison of the patient’s initial admission assessment and plan of care to obtain preauthorization for frequency of visits based on skills needed; report patient status and progress to the Managed Care Liaison as directed for further authorization of visit
• sPerform home health aide’s supervisory visits every 14 days at the patient’s home when the aide is present to observe or assist in care given; in the aide’s absence, assess the relationship and review care plans to determine when goals are met or to justify the need for continuation of home health aid service
• sPerform LPTA supervisory visits every 30 days or every 12 visits, whichever comes first; in the LPTA’s absence, assess the relationship and review care plans to determine when goals are met or to justify the need for continuation of home health aid service
• sSupervise the Home Health Aide when there is no Registered Nurse involved in the cas
• ePlan a variety of sensorimotor, educational, recreational, and social activities to provide physical therapy to patients ranging from adolescents to geriatric
• sTeach patients the skills and techniques required for participation in physical therap
• yEvaluate patient progress, attitudes, and behaviors on an on-going basi
• sEvaluate effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefi
• tPrepare reports summarizing patient’s reactions to therap
• yConduct internal training programs for medical and nursing staff on physical therapy techniques and objective
• sInitiate collaborative interactions with physicians and other hospital staff to improve patient care outcome
• sMeet productivity expectations and positively assist department in achieving financial goal
• sInstruct the patient, and their family as necessary, in the treatment procedures to be continued at hom

e
Education and Experien

ceMinimum Required Education: A Doctorate in Physical Therapy from an accredited program, a Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy with 5 years of experience, or a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy with 10 years experien

ceExperienc e: One (1) or more years’ experience as a Physical Therapist in a Home Health environme

ntCertificates, Licenses, Registratio

nsApplicants must hold a current license to practice Physical Therapy in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Applicants must also be certified to administer CPR for patients in restraints or seclusi