Physical Therapist: in Monmouth and Ocean Counties
General Purpose
Physical therapy services are provided for the purpose of treating impairments, functional limitations, disabilities or changes in physical function and health status. The treatment and interventions provided is in accordance with accepted professional standards of physical therapy practice, applicable law and regulation, as well as established organization policies and procedures.
Essential Functions
- Assist the physician or other licensed practitioner in evaluating the level of patient function and performance and equipment needs as well as in developing the resulting plan of care/treatment including appropriate long and short term treatment goals, selection of interventions, and the intensity, frequency and duration of services to meet the needs of an individual patient.
- Completes initial and ongoing comprehensive assessments at appropriate time points as assigned.
- Provide interventions and therapeutic treatment in accordance with the physician certified plan of care and physical therapy professional standards of practice.
- Assesses changes in the patient’s status and determines whether the planned services should be modified, performing a re-evaluation and obtaining revision orders from the physician as indicated.
- Advise and consult with the family and/or other caregivers to promote the patient progress toward mutually agreed upon goals and planning for discharge from services.
- Participates in educating the patient and the family, and other caregivers to promote patient progress toward mutually established goals.
- Actively communicate with other members of the interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary healthcare team providing care to the patient to promote coordination of care.
- Prepares timely, legible, relevant and sufficient documentation - whether written or electronic - of all patient care provided, as well as the patient’s response to treatment and progress toward goals in accordance with professional standards of practice, policy and procedures, and payor requirements.
- Participates in in-service training, as requested.
- Able to perform CPR, per organization-specific policy.
- Supervise professional and paraprofessional staff, as assigned, including physical therapist assistants.
- Read and interpret technical instructions related to the care of the patient and use of equipment in providing such care.
- Visually and aurally observe and assess the patient.
- Perform and prioritize multiple functions or tasks to effectively deal with multiple changes based on patient need and scheduling.
- Provide proof of valid driver's license, per organization-specific policy.
- Travels within geographic area serviced by office locally from assignment to assignment, if applicable.
- Meet the health requirements to provide patient care per applicable law or regulation.
- Completes other assignments as requested and assigned.
Minimum Education & Experience Requirements
- Current licensure or certification as a physical therapist in the state(s) in which he or she will practice, unless licensure or certification does not exist.
- A graduate of an accredited physical therapy education program or equivalent as recognized by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
- In the last five (5) years, two (2) years of experience as a physical therapist that is relevant to the patient population assigned.
- CPR certification (must be achieved within 60 days)
For Organizations That Must Meet the Medicare Conditions of Participation
- Additional education requirements apply as per Addendum A of this job description.
- A physical therapist must meet 1 of 5 options for qualification to provide services paid for under the Medicare home health, hospice or outpatient therapy benefits.
Working Conditions & Physical Effort
- Work is normally performed in a hospital, outpatient facility, residence, aggregate living facility, school or occupational setting.
- Work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require following extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment.
- Able to effectively communicate with all levels of the workforce, both clinical and non-clinical.
- Ability to visually and auditorially observe and assess the patient.
- Ability to work flexible schedule and/or evening hours, as needed.
- Heavy physical activity that may require lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling over 50 lbs., and physically stretching, bending, stooping, twisting, standing, sitting, walking, reaching and climbing stairs.
