Physical Therapist - Lawrence/Beaver County (float)

The Physical Therapist is a licensed professional (LPT) responsible for evaluating, planning and implementing physical therapy service to patients in their home or current residence as prescribed by the attending physician.  The therapist works as a member of an interdisciplinary rehabilitation team.   QUALIFICATIONS   Graduate of a state approved school of physical therapy accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association Minimum of six [6] months acute care or rehabilitation center experience.  Outpatient therapy experience may be considered if practice included medical/surgical patients Licensed as a Physical Therapist in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Reliable, independent means of transportation to make home visits. Drivers must have a valid driver’s license and drive a vehicle with insurance limits as established by the state.   DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES   Clinical Skills   Performs the initial start of care assessment for patients admitted for therapy only within 24 hours of receiving the referral Performs a comprehensive evaluation of patients by applying diagnostic and prognostic muscle, nerve, joint and functional ability tests Develops the plan of care cooperatively with the physician, patient/family and other team members with revisions based on the patient’s condition Instructs patients, families and other health care team members in the total physical therapy program including, but not limited to the home exercise program, the proper and safe use of prosthetic, orthotic and assistive devices and safe transfer activities Supervises the assigned home health aide every 14 days when the physical therapist is the coordinating health professional Services as the primary agency provider by admitting the patient to service and coordinating care when the physician requests therapy as the sole primary service.  The admission, carried out after adequate orientation, is comprehensive in nature and follows assessment guidelines Plans with the patient, family and other team members for the patient’s discharge from service Completes all appropriate OASIS assessments and documentation as assigned Monitors patient’s vital signs.    Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) SUPERVISION The Licensed Physical Therapist is responsible for the supervision of the care provided to specific patients by the PTA. The PTA may not carry out the initial Physical Therapy evaluation, develop the care plan, secure physician’s orders, or independently discharge the patient.   Supervision is carried out by:  The Licensed Physical Therapist will provide an on-site visit and actively participate in the patient’s treatment once every 7th visit or every 14 calendar days, whichever occurs first, to re-evaluate the patient based on treatment response, clinical needs, functional status and goal progression. The LPT is responsible for the PTA competency evaluation, any necessary remediation, and the performance evaluation of the PTA. All notes written by the physical therapy assistant will be co-signed by the supervising licensed physical therapist.   Documentation Completes OASIS and the therapy evaluation and submits to the office within 24 -48 hours or by 5 PM on Monday, if the admission is performed over the weekend. Completes required documentation for on-going services on the day of the visit Completes the discharge summary and sends to the office within 48 hours of the discharge Prepares patient record for recertification, as appropriate   Communication Calls the physician after the evaluation for a verbal order to continue visits and documents the verbal order on the evaluation.  Documentation should include:  physician name, date, time, discipline, frequency and duration of visits and signature of PT Reports to the primary nurse/therapist a summary of the patient’s condition including; Problems concerning the patient and how these may be resolved Changes in patient needs and how these can be met The need for involvement of other members of the health team such as nursing, home health aide, speech/language pathologist, physical therapist and social services Patient progress towards goals and functional status Reports patient responses to treatment, changes in care needs, progress towards goals to the supervising Director of Outpatient Rehab   Professional Standards Protects patient privacy and confidentiality by being discreet and professional in sharing  information on a need-to-know basis Adheres to all policies and maintains a professional standard of conduct, projecting a positive image of the agency 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 Adheres to all policies set forth in the Physical Therapy Practice Act and to Physical Therapy Practice Standards to maintain safe clinical practice E. Serves as a role model for all staff