Physical Therapist

JOB TITLE : Physical Therapist

STATUS: Salary/Exempt

SALARY: DOE

SUPERVISOR: Therapy Manager

CREATED:

Coastal Home Health & Hospice is an equal opportunity employer: CHHH does not discriminate against applicants or employees based on race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation or gender identity, family relationship, marital status, veteran status, military service, employment status, or any other classification protected by local, state, or federal law.

If an employee needs accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined below, he or she should notify his or her supervisor or the Executive Director. CHHH will work with the employee to evaluate whether there is a reasonable accommodation that does not pose an undue hardship on the company.

This position is exempt from overtime under state and Federal wage and hour laws. Occasionally, the demands of the job may require working late and/or being available by phone and/or email in the evening or on the weekend. If that occurs, no overtime wages will be paid, as the salary level is intended to compensate for the level of responsibility. All employees, whether exempt or non-exempt, are expected to adhere to their schedule, and to follow attendance policies if they are going to be late or miss work. For all exempt employees, partial day absences will not affect compensation, unless the absence qualifies as medical leave under the Federal FMLA, and the employee has exhausted all paid leave.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Performs physical therapy services for patients requiring Home Health or Hospice care, under the care of a physician, according to accepted standards of practice.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

May include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Evaluates patient for Physical Therapy needs.

2. Completes initial Physical Therapy evaluation and admission.

3. For Home Health, develops Physical Therapy Plan of Care including treatments, procedures, modalities, problems, and goals.

4. For Hospice, works within the Hospice Plan of Care developed in coordination with the Interdisciplinary Group.

5. Prepares clinical and progress notes according to agency policy.

6. Advises, consults, and teaches patient, care givers, and family members.

7. Helps patient accomplish treatment plan and accept therapeutic devices by administering therapeutic exercises; instructing, encouraging, and assisting patients in performing physical activities, such as therapeutic exercises, ambulatory functional activities, and daily living activities and in using assistive and supportive devices, such as crutches, canes, and prostheses.

8. Reports patient progress, problems, goals, and discharge plans to other staff members.

9. Performs Physical Therapy services according to Plan of Treatment.

10. Attends Care Conference and Interdisciplinary Team meetings.

11. Stays current with professional and technical changes in the Physical Therapy field by participating in training programs, professional associations, or other available sources.

12. Stays current and complies with federal, state, and local legal and professional requirements regarding physical therapy and advises Therapy Manager of needed actions.

13. Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with agency procedures, rules, and regulations.

14. Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols.

15. Participates in quarterly record review and quality assurance activities.

16. For Home Health assesses patient need to recertify for Physical Therapy. Prepares recertification Plan of Care and 60-day summary.

17. Maintains contact with physician regarding Physical Therapy patient care issues.

18. Documents physician orders per agency protocol.

19. For Home Health completes requirements/documentation for patient discharge.

20. Completes all documentation in required timelines.

21. Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provides supervision of Licensed Physical Therapy Assistants including:

• Initial evaluation of the patient to identify appropriate tasks to be performed by the LPTA, as documented and assigned in the patient's clinical record.
• A visit to the patient's residence at least once a month, either when the assistant is present to observe and assist or when the assistant is absent, to assess relationships and determine that the plan of cares is being followed, and the goals are being met. Documentation of supervisory visits will be maintained in the patient's clinical record.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Education, Certification, and Licenses -

• Graduate of an accredited college with a Degree in Physical Therapy.
• Licensed by the Oregon Physical Therapy Licensing Board to practice Physical Therapy.
• Current BLS care or be able to obtain prior to date of hire.

Experience -

• One year of physical therapy experience in a prior home health, hospice or facility setting is preferred.

Knowledge of -

• Physical Therapy techniques and procedures.

• Medical terminology.

• Medical record keeping practices.

Ability to-

• Interpret orders and carry out instructions while exercising judgment within the scope of the position and established physical therapy practices.

• Work with limited supervision in an independent setting, while able to recognize situations in which supervision and guidance is required.

• Work with computers/programs and able to learn basic software applications.

• Communicate therapeutically with the patient, family, and public and maintain a compassionate, empathetic attitude.

Other -

• Must have driver's license, car insurance and maintain a good driving record.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS NECESSARY TO PERFORM JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Understands home health regulations.

• Functions well as a team member.

• Relates to and cares for people from all walks of life in a calm, courteous and

professional manner.

• Maintains client confidentiality.

• Understands and works within pertinent state and federal laws and regulations.

• Understands documentation requirements and is able to complete paperwork in a timely manner.

• Able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.

• Able to work with interpreters, sign language interpreters, and other individuals who may be needed to assist patients or family members to communicate.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/REQUIREMENTS:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to operate standard office equipment; reach with hands and arms; talk to patients, family members, answering service, and co-workers, and hear their words; vision requirements include close, distance and ability to adjust focus. The employee is required to walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and climb stairs, adjusting from sitting and standing is required.
• Ability to perform tasks involving physical activity, which may include heavy lifting of supplies, equipment, or patients; extensive bending, standing, walking or sitting may be required.
• Ability to deal effectively with stress.
• May occasionally drive for long periods of time.

WORK CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENT:

• Employee may encounter various environmental situations in individual patient homes, including odors, tobacco smoke or animals. Tasks may involve exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues.
• Travel is required between all office locations - Brookings; Gold Beach; and Bandon Oregon, and to and from homes, hospice centers, or other places where patients are located.
• Employee may occasionally be required to work weekends, holidays, or other hours on a rotation basis, as well as on-call rotation.