FLEX Physical Therapist

Primary duties and responsibilities

Evaluates patients' physical and functional status including muscular strength motor function, reflex and ambulation skills.

Observes and interviews patients, reviews medical histories and administers detailed sensory tests, manual muscle tests, range of motion exams and other evaluation techniques.

Establishes short and long term therapy goals and, based on evaluation, formulates treatment plans consistent with goals.

Treats patients using recognized physical therapy procedures such as therapeutic exercise, gait training, functional training, application of modalities and assistive devices.

Provides treatment and delegate treatment procedures to appropriate personnel.

Observes patients' actions and reaction to treatment and evaluate progress. Consults with physicians and other health-care team members in adjusting treatment program as necessary

Determines appropriate devices such as wheelchairs, canes, crutches and prostheticlorthotic devices necessary to assist patients in performing physical activities.

Instruct patients in care and use of same.

Regularly documents patient's progress to goals, and periodically prepares reports regarding same for physicians, other treatment members and supervisor's review.

Participate in general physical therapy operations such as general patient education, quality review, clinical education, physical therapy program planning and clinics, and supervision of physical therapy student interns.

Maintains records and logs of treatments performed and prepares charge slips for billing purposes.

Discusses evaluations, goals and treatments with patients and families in order to allay anxieties and elicit cooperation.

Instructs patients and patients' families in appropriate continued exercise or therapy programs and in use of therapy techniques and assistive devices and aids.

Participates in discharge planning with physicians, and health care team members to ensure patients have appropriate assistance and continuation of rehabilitation at home or other settings.

Participates in general physical therapy operations such as patient education, quality review, clinical education, program planning and clinics, and supervision of physical therapy student interns.

Performs other duties as assigned by Physical Therapy Supervisor or Manager.

Maintains knowledge of current trends and developments in the field by reading appropriate books, journals and other literature and attend related conferences and seminars.

Maintains good rapport and cooperative relationships. Approaches conflict in a constructive manner. Helps to identify problems, offer solutions, and participate in their resolution

Maintains the confidentiality of information acquired pertaining to patient, physicians, employees, and visitors to Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital. Discusses patient and hospital information only among appropriate personnel in appropriately private places

Assumes responsibility for performance of job duties in the safest possible manner, to assure personal safety and that of coworkers, and to report all preventable hazards and unsafe practices immediately to management.

Provides quality patient care considering age specific, developmental and cultural needs through competent practice and application of the physical rehabilitation process.

Provides quality patient care by considering the age specific, developmental and cultural needs through competent clinical practice. Demonstrates unit/area competencies.

Behaves in accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values of Trinity Health Michigan.

Essential skills

Knowledge of anatomy and physiology and physical therapy treatment and modalities.

Interpersonal skills necessary to communicate effectively with patients and patients' families when providing treatments and instructing same in use of therapeutic devices and methods as well as with other treatment team members when gathering and exchanging patient condition/progress information.

Analytical skills necessary to evaluate patients' physical and functional status, establish therapy goals, formulate treatment plans consistent with goals, and observe patients and document progress/condition.

Ability to concentrate and pay close attention to detail for up to 80% of work time when administering treatments, observing patients and maintaining records.

Able to react quickly in sudden unplanned situations in order to prevent or minimize injuries to patients and/or staff.

Able to walk stand for up to 50% of work time while administering treatments. Able to lift, push and pull weights with an effective force of approximately 40-60 pounds (with or without mechanical devices or other personnel) for up to 20% of work time when positioning and moving patients.

Able to communicate effectively with patients, patients' families and other health center personnel.