Physical Therapist

POSITION DESCRIPTION:u00a0 PHYSICAL THERAPIST POSITION SUMMARY:u00a0 The Physical Therapist (PT) is a licensed health care professional that administers Physical Therapy to adult patients requiring part-time, intermittent visits and assesses their therapeutic needs.u00a0 The therapist works as a member of an interdisciplinary rehabilitation team serving as care managers with responsibilities for assessing, implementing, coordinating and evaluating patient care whenever nursing is not active with the patient.u00a0 The PT supervises the physical therapy assistant (PTA) who has been approved by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to work in an indirect supervision setting and the home health aide if nursing is not active with the patient. u00a0 RESPONSIBLE TO:u00a0Director of Professional Services or designee. u00a0 I.u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0CLINICAL SKILLS Performs a comprehensive evaluation of patients by applying tests such as ROM, strength, coordination, balance and functional mobility. Develops functional goals and the Plan of Care for PT interventions including visit frequency, duration, treatment and modality; discusses the Plan with the physician seeking verbal orders and sending for written confirmation of the orders. Reassesses the patient using objective measures and at time-points required by clinical status and payer requirements. Provides therapeutic actions to relieve pain and/or develop or restore function to regain maximum independence. Delegates therapeutic actions to a physical therapy assistant (PTA) considering professional practice standards, the practice setting and factors such as the patient's condition, patient acuity, and competency of the specific physical therapist assistant in deciding whether to delegate care. Supervises the PTA based on State Board and PA legislation and as outlined in the Physical Therapy Service Policy. Admits patients to service if trained and competency evaluated in the activity.u00a0 Serves as primary provider with care manager responsibilities when physical therapy service qualifies the patient for skilled care with responsibility for activities such as care coordination, medical orders, appropriate comprehensive/re-certification/care resumption/transfer/discharge assessments including OASIS data set requirements, following training and competency evaluation. Assesses clinical signs and treatment response of patients on each visit making applicable reports to the physician and sharing with other team members. Teaches, supervises and counsels the patient and family members regarding the care requirements of the patient and related health teaching utilizing a preventive and rehabilitative approach. Assists the patient in the selection, instruction and troubleshooting of safe equipment, supplies and services. Adheres to medical orders for treatment and visit frequency and authorized visits for managed care clients securing verbal medical orders within practice area and completes documentation for requesting physician authentication of orders. Develops the care plan for home health aide activity whenever nursing is not active, as applicable to specific patients and to the physician Rx/Plan of Care, including supervision and evaluation of the care given by the home health aide to her/his primary patients. Maintains and utilizes supplies responsibly seeking medical orders for non-routine supplies, as necessary. Participates with other therapists in taking weekend, evening, holiday calls, on a rotating basis as scheduled. Participates in care conferences. Obtains pre-authorization for home visits for Managed Care patients as needed. u00a0II.u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 DOCUMENTATION Completes comprehensive admission chart, including OASIS data set, when applicable, and submits it to the office within the agency documentation timeliness requirements. Completes the initial physical therapy assessment and reassessments, as required and clinically appropriate, and/or physical therapy visit report. Completes all required documentation in an accurate and timely manner based on recording timeliness requirements including skilled care provided, objective measures, patient response, progress to goals and ongoing eligibility determination. u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 D.u00a0 Completes the discharge/transfer OASIS/assessment and summary and submits them to the office based on agency documentation timeliness requirements. Prepares patient record for re-certification, including the OASIS/comprehensive assessment, as necessary. Completes the day sheet record appropriately. III.u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 COMMUNICATION u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 A.u00a0 Makes the initial visit within seventy-two (72) hours of referral unless physician order, care needs or patient request dictate otherwise. u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 B.u00a0 Reports to the case manager a summary of the patient's condition including: u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 1.u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 Problems concerning the patients and how these may be resolved. u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 2.u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 Changes in patient needs and how these can be met. u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 3.u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 The need for involvement of other members of the health team such as nursing, HHA, speech/language pathologist, occupational therapist, and social services. u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 C.u00a0 Communicates with health team members to achieve interdisciplinary, coordinated care. u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 D.u00a0 Calls the supervising nurse or designee with any immediate patient clinical needs. u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 E.u00a0u00a0 Alerts supervisor or designee to concerns/changes related to the patient's rehabilitation goals. u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 G.u00a0 Submits patient visit schedule based weekly or using the electronic software in real time.. u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 H.u00a0 Maintains confidentiality of client information adhering to HIPAA regulations. u00a0IV.u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 A.u00a0 Adheres to all policies set forth in the Physical Therapist Practice Act and to Physical Therapy Practice Standards to maintain safe clinical practice. u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 B.u00a0 Maintains a professional standard of conduct, projecting a positive image of agency at all times. u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 C.u00a0 Complies with infection control and safety policies and procedures. u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 D.u00a0 Adheres to all policies and practices of the agency to maintain established Standards for Care. u00a0 V.u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 A.u00a0 Attends a minimum of one staff meeting/inservice per year. u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 B.u00a0 Maintains CEU requirements set by the State Board of Physical Therapy. u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 C.u00a0 Participates in additional staff meetings, care conferences, required educational sessions and the Performance Improvement Program, as appropriate. Continually strives to improve care by broadening and deepening knowledge through formal education, attendance at workshops, conferences, active participation in professional and related organizations and individual study and reading. VI.u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 PERFORMS ADDITIONAL DUTIES AS ASSIGNED VII.u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 QUALIFICATIONS Graduate of state approved school of physical therapy accredited by The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) or a successor organization.u00a0 An education program outside the US that is determined to be substantially equivalent to PT entry level education in the US by a credentials evaluation organization approved by the APTA or an organized identified in 8 CFR 212.15(e) as it relates to PTs is acceptable. u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 B.u00a0 Minimum of 12 months acute care or rehabilitation center experience.u00a0 Outpatient therapy experience may be considered if medical/surgical patients treated. u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 C.u00a0 Licensed/registered as a physical therapist in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 D.u00a0 Holds a current CPR card. When required to travel from one assignment to another on the same day, a reliable,u00a0 independent means of transportation is required.u00a0 Drivers must have a valid driveru2019s license and car insurance limits adhering to the limits established in the personnelu00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 policies. u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 F.u00a0u00a0 Obtains and retains a clear criminal history report and as appropriate Childline, FBI, OIG, Medicheck, EPLS and any additional required regulatory clearances. EXPOSURE CONTROL CATEGORY:u00a0 Moderate Exposure Offer Hepatitis B vaccine and provide cautionary information on all potential communicable diseases. PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES REQUIRED TO CARRY OUT POSITION Lifting:u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 Regularly lifts and moves patients, equipment, patient supplies.u00a0 Frequently lifts up to 40 pounds.u00a0 Occasionally lifts and moves patients unassisted up to 50 pounds. Carrying:u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 Carries medical supplies, and other items, weighing up to twenty (20) pounds. Pushing/Pulling:u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 Pushing and pulling is required when administering patient therapy and care. Climbing:u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 Ability to use stairs, curbs, walkways in order to access patient home. Bending:u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 Required when administering patient care. Reaching/Turning/Twisting:u00a0 Required when administering care. Repetitive Motions:u00a0u00a0u00a0 Hands - Required for certain aspects of patient care:u00a0 simple grasping, fine manipulation. u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 Feet - Able to walk and stand for various duties.u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 SENSORY ABILITIES Speaking:u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 Ability to clearly speak English to communicate, assess, and educate patients.u00a0 Must also be able to communicate with physicians and other professionals involved in patient care. Hearingu00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 Ability to hear in order to perform physical assessments, including use of stethoscope (may be amplified).u00a0 Must also be able to hear to detect critical information regarding patient condition, and to communicate with physicians and other professionals involved with patient care. Seeing:u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 Ability to see to administer patient care and perform physical assessment of patients. u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 Visual acuity - Required within normal limits for monitoring equipment, u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 reading medical data. u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 Depth perception - Required for fine tasks. MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT AND WORK Aides Various medical equipment, supplies, medications, charts, computer terminals, and other aides, are used by the nurse in performance of duties. I UNDERSTAND THE POSITION DESCRIPTION AND HAVE BEEN ORIENTED TO ITS RESPONSIBILITIES.u00a0 I ACCEPT THESE RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDING THE AGENCY MISSION AND CORE VALUES.u00a0 I AGREE TO ADHERE TO THEM. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT the statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees, but are not a complete list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.u00a0 Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer. u00a0

Created: 2026-01-12