Physical Therapist (Per Diem)

Job Description

Job Description

Proposed Schedule : Up to 19.75 hours per week. Shifts will vary based on the operating hours of the PACE Program.

Summary

The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is a community-based program that provides coordinated medical and social services to eligible older adults who want to continue living in their own home despite chronic care needs. The Physical Therapist under direct oversight of the Director of Operations, is an integral member of the PACE at Hudson Headwaters (PHH) team. The Physical Therapist is part of the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) and is responsible for helping restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and maintain and promote overall fitness and health. These services may be delivered by PHH therapy staff or outside contracted therapy providers when required. The Physical Therapist supervises and directs all assigned staff and monitors the quality of care and services being provided to enrolled Participants.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assess, plan, prepare and carry out individually designed programs of physical treatment to maintain, improve or restore physical functioning, alleviate pain, and prevent physical dysfunction in patients.
• Evaluate effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefit and to meet the Participant’s goals and needs.
• Administer manual exercises including instructing, encouraging and assisting Participants in performing physical activities, functional activities, gait and daily-living activities and in using assistive and all applicable supportive devices.
• Administer physical therapy treatments by utilizing physical agent modalities-moist packs / heating pads, cold packs, TENS, EMS, ultrasound machine and traction, directing treatments given by assistants.
• Direct or supervise group rehabilitation activities.
• Provide information to the Participant about the proposed intervention, its material risks and expected benefits and any reasonable alternatives.
• Document in accordance with PHH departmental guidelines and within the established time frames.
• Complete assessments as required and collaborate with the IDT team to establish an integrated individualized plan of care.
• Design home exercise programs, recommending and / or providing assistive equipment, instructing Participants, families, and caregivers in-home exercise programs that, if followed, will assure continuation of therapeutic plan following discharge from therapy.
• Provide oversight and supervision for the Physical Therapy Assistants (PTAs) by providing information, guidance, training and conducting in-service training programs.
• Maintain safe and clean working environment by complying with program policies and procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Protect Participants and staff by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols.
• Ability to interact professionally and respectfully with Participants including those with cognitive decline and / or physical frailties.
• Observe each Participant for any change in physical, mental, emotional, and social functioning and report such changes to IDT members.
• Provide appropriate Participant and family / caregiver education and teaching.
• Communicate effectively with clinical staff and contracted partners.
• Provide support and education to all staff members regarding active plan of care and treatments.
• Coordinate and / or attend appropriate trainings that support assigned program, clinic, or service.
• Provide educational in-services to staff as necessary.
• Other projects and duties as assigned.

Qualifications