Physical Therapist
Job Summary:
Evaluates participants, administers physical therapy treatments, records progress and instructs participants and/or family in care as part of [ AHHC ]. Supervises work activity of aides, assistants and students. Works in the PACE Center and in participants’ homes. Conducts initial assessments and periodic reassessments, develops plan of care, coordination of 24 hour care delivery, regularly informing the interdisciplinary team (IDT) of the medical, functional, and psychosocial condition of each participant, remaining alert to pertinent input from other team members, participants’ caregivers, as well as documenting changes in a participant’s medical record consistent with documentation policies.
Qualifications and Requirements:
Education / Training / Certifications:
- Possess a minimum of a master’s degree in physical therapy from an accredited university except for applicants who graduated prior to 1/1/2003 and posses a minimum bachelor’s degree in physical therapy or a bachelor’s degree and certification in physical therapy.
- Licensed as Physical Therapist in CA
- Current driver’s license and proof of auto insurance
Experience:
- Minimum of 2 years working as a Physical Therapist.
- Minimum of 1 year working with the frail or elderly population or training and tested competency provided by [ AHHC ].
Skills and Knowledge:
- Demonstrated skills reflecting knowledge of modalities such as exercise, mobilization, manipulation, electrical stimulation, deep tissue massage, hydrotherapy, and hot and ice therapies
- Experience in restorative and rehabilitation strategies to improve or maintain function and independence and to reduce pain.
- Current knowledge of geriatric issues and best practices.
- Good judgment, problem solving and cognitive skills
- Ability to lead and work within an interdisciplinary setting.
- Enthusiasm for caring for the geriatric population.
- Knowledge of common safety hazards in the home environment and improvements to establish a safer environment
- Able to provide training in techniques for the prevention of injury and movement-related functional training in self-care.
Medical Clearance:
Employees must have medical clearance for communicable diseases and up-to-date immunizations before having direct participant contact.
Competency:
Position specific competencies for the Physical Therapist will be met prior to assuming participant care.
Physical Demands and Working Conditions:
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. In compliance with ADA requirements, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Work Environment:
Employee must be able to work effectively within an interdisciplinary team model, interfacing and collaborating with a wide range of clinical and social services disciplines who work together to manage the PACE participants’ care. The work setting is in an Adult Day Health Center and primary care clinic environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperatures.
Physical Requirements:
Requires manual and finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination; the ability to use department equipment; and the ability to lift/carry up to 30 pounds using appropriate body mechanics with reasonable accommodation if needed.
Visual, Hearing and Communication Requirements:
Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range, with or without reasonable accommodation. Ability to communicate by way of the telephone with participants, customers, vendors and staff.
Pressure Factor:
Requires working under stressful conditions. Working conditions may be noisy and crowded and fluctuating indoor temperatures. Moderate pressure to meet scheduled deadlines. Potential for exposure to verbal aggression by client, vendors, and staff.
Environmental Conditions:
May be exposed to a risk of bodily injury through contact with moving instrumentation, toxic substances, medicinal preparations, bodily fluids, communicable diseases and any other conditions common in a healthcare environment. Subject to unpleasant odors.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Conduct an in-person comprehensive physical therapy assessment on all PACE participants upon enrollment. Coordinate with the interdisciplinary team to develop a comprehensive plan of care for each participant.
- Conduct an in person physical therapy reassessment on an annual basis and as needed
- Participate as a member of the interdisciplinary team, communicating participant changes, collaborating on care planning decisions and coordination of 24 hour care delivery. Actively participate in the Intake and Assessment meetings.
- Evaluate participants to determine and assure appropriate prescription, needs, goals, history, complications, and precautions. Follow up with participant during treatment, explain precautions to take. Discusses condition and treatment plans and recommends solutions to participants care problems with the interdisciplinary team
- Assess the need for adaptive durable medical equipment, specialized shoes and prosthesis. Assess participant’s home for safety and mobility. Recommend home modifications and or equipment.
- Plan physical therapy treatment programs according to recognized standards and policies.
- Administer physical therapy treatment programs consistent in achieving identified goals and according to recognized standards and policies. Confer with interdisciplinary team on participant care issues.
- Document evaluation, assessment, plan and treatment rendered accurately and in timely according to [ AHHC ] policy.
- Measure effectiveness of treatment, document and revise plan accordingly.
- Educate and instruct participants/family in procedures, home programs and document training and understanding by participant/family.
- Confers with physicians and other disciplines to assure complete and integrated program.
- Completes necessary documentation and statistics accurately and in a timely fashion.
- Direct, supervise, and perform initial and annual competencies, and evaluates the performance of the licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA).
- Review and cosign entries of the PTA into the participant medical record.
- Review the plan of care with the PTA before the PTA provides care. At least once every 30 days after new or revised plans of care, document in the medical record that the plan and the participant’s progress have been reviewed with the PTA.
- Supervise and instruct students and volunteers if assigned.
- Train PACE staff in body mechanics, use of equipment, transfers, gait patterns, and methods to maximize safety and functional abilities in performing activities of daily living (ADL’s).
- Perform initial and annual competencies on direct care staff under supervision.
- Participate in and support Quality Initiatives
- Contribute to research and other department activities as assigned.
- Provide age specific competent care to older adults served including knowledge of the aging process.
- Know and adhere to philosophy and goals of [ AHHC ].
- Other duties as assigned.
- Initiate/suggest process improvement and/or cost saving measures that enhance patient care.
- Demonstrate clinical excellence and utilize insights in timely response to participant’s needs.
- Proactively involve the healthcare team in plan of care.
- Assist in the implementation of department competency plan.
- Develop patient educational material.
- Maintain professional level and remains current with new advances.
- Adhere to professional, legal and safety standards Act only within the scope of his or her authority to practice