GENERAL SUMMARY OF DUTIES: Responsible for providing patient care including assessing, interpreting, planning and implementing special physical therapy treatments. Restores patient's function, alleviates pain, and prevents disabilities by planning and administering medically prescribed physical therapy. Represents Alamo City Physical Therapy and ACMG in a positive manner.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
1. Helps patient accomplish treatment plan and accept therapeutic devices by administering manual exercises; instructing, encouraging, and assisting patients in performing physical activities, such as non-manual exercises, ambulatory functional activities, and daily-living activities and in using assistive and supportive devices, such as crutches, canes, and prostheses.
2. Meets the patient's goals and needs and provides quality care by assessing and interpreting evaluations and test results; determining physical therapy treatment plans in consultation with physicians or by prescription.
3. Administers physical therapy treatments by giving massages; initiating traction; applying physical agents; utilizing hydrotherapy tanks and whirlpool baths, moist packs, ultraviolet and infrared lamps, and ultrasound machines; directing treatments given by aides, technicians, and assistants.
4. Evaluates effects of physical therapy treatments and fit of prosthetic and orthotic devices by observing, noting, and evaluating patient's progress; recommending adjustments and modifications.
5. Completes discharge planning by consulting with physicians, nurses, social workers, and other health care workers; contributing to patient care conferences.
6. Assures continuation of therapeutic plan following discharge by designing home exercise programs; instructing patients, families, and caregivers in home exercise programs; recommending and/or providing assistive equipment; recommending outpatient or home health follow-up programs.
7. Documents patient care services by charting in patient and department records.
8. Maintains patient confidence and protects hospital operations by keeping information confidential.
9. Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.
10. Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; following manufacturer's instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions; calling for repairs.
11. Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.
12. Develops physical therapy staff by providing information; developing and conducting in-service training programs.
13. Complies with federal, state, and local legal and professional requirements by studying existing and new legislation; anticipating future legislation; enforcing adherence to requirements; advising management on needed actions.
14. Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
15. Maintains strict confidentiality required related to medical records and other data.
16. Employs positive customer service skills with both internal and external customers.
17. Attends required meetings and participates in committees as requested.
18. Other duties as applicable.
The job holder must demonstrate current competencies applicable to job position.
KNOWLEDGE:
1. Knowledge of patient health care and/or medical specialty.
2. Knowledge of managed care insurance and occupational medicine.
3. Knowledge of physical therapy principles, standards and applications.
4. Knowledge of computer system including practice management software to enable proper appointment scheduling.
5. Knowledge of health promotion and maintenance, creating a safe, effective environment, motivating others, legal compliance, quality focus, bedside manner, clinical skills, pain management.
SKILLS:
1. Skill in appropriate evaluation and treatment of patients.
2. Skill in using PT equipment by consistently using devices appropriately to improve patient health status.
3. Skill in effectively maintaining equipment, successfully completing competency testing.
4. Skill in tact and diplomacy with regard to interpersonal interactions. Discretion and ability to interact with staff in an appropriate manner.
5. Skill in understanding of patient education needs by effectively sharing information with patients and family members.
ABILITIES:
1. Ability to establish/maintain effective working relationships with patients, families and staff.
2. Ability to project a pleasant and professional image.
3. Ability to plan, prioritize and complete delegated tasks. Demonstrate leadership and organizational abilities.
4. Ability to demonstrate compassion and caring in dealing with patients, staff, and other individuals.
5. Ability to evaluate utilization and quality data and make necessary modifications in performance.
ENVIRONMENTAL/WORKING CONDITIONS:
Primarily exam and exercise room settings. Exposure to communicable diseases, toxic substances, medicinal preparations and other conditions common in a clinic environment.
The intention of this description is to provide basic guidelines for meeting job requirements. Responsibilities, knowledge, skills, abilities and working conditions may vary as needs evolve.
|
