Leads, guides and directs the delivery of physical therapy services in the facility in accordance with local, state and federal regulations, standards and established facility policies and procedures to provide appropriate care and services to residents.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
Reports any occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and/or hazardous chemicals in accordance with facility policy.
Participates in all life safety and emergency drills and trainings. Fulfills responsibilities as assigned during implementation or activation of the facility's emergency plan.
Potential Risk Exposure to Blood and Body Fluids
Plans, develops, organizes, implements, evaluates, and directs the execution of physical therapy services as well as its programs and activities, in accordance with current state and federal laws and regulations, physician's orders and American physical Therapy Association (APTA) in accordance with guidelines issued by the governing body and its respective affiliate state chapter.
Evaluates and reports key performance indicator outcomes of the physical therapy department to the rehabilitation director to determine the need for action such as re-education or revisions related to the facility's outcomes, regulatory compliance, practice act(s) and/or customer satisfaction.
Complies with facility policies and procedures for appropriately documenting, billing and coding for residents receiving physical therapy.
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:
Reports work-related injuries and illnesses immediately to designated staff member.
Follows established infection control policies and procedures.
As a condition of employment, completes all assigned training and skills competency.
Possesses leadership, supervisory skills and willingness to work harmoniously with and supervise other personnel. Successfully follows oral and written instructions.
Ensures physical therapy equipment is stored, used and sanitized, disinfected and/or cleaned properly and safely in the facility.
Participates in daily, weekly, and/or monthly rehabilitative and interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss residents' therapy progression in relation to discharge planning for residents receiving physical therapy services as designated by the Rehabilitation Director.
Develops and maintains positive relationships with residents, employees, and family members through scheduled, deliberate positive interactions with them using face to face, phone, or other means of communication.
Working Conditions:
? Works in office areas, therapy rooms, resident rooms, etc.
? Moves intermittently during working hours.
? Is subject to frequent interruptions.
? Is involved with physicians, residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.
? Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel and visitors.
? Communicates with the medical staff, nursing personnel and other department directors.
? Works beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary as well as in other positions as needed.
? Is subject to call back during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.).
? Must be constantly alert for resident safety.
? Attends and participates in continuing education programs as may be required by current regulations.
? Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, assaults from hostile residents, etc., throughout the workday as well as reactions from dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke and other air contaminants.
? Is subject to exposure to infectious waste,diseases, conditions, etc., including TB and the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses. ? Is subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals.
? Is subject to lifting, carrying and supporting residents.
? Maintains a liaison with the residents, their families, other departments, etc., to adequately plan for the resident's restorative care needs.
Education:
? A valid, unrestricted license in his/her therapy discipline in the state.
? Meet educational requirements of his/her licensure requirements.
? Knowledgeable of skilled nursing home regulations, procedures, laws, regulations and guidelines pertaining to long-term care.
Experience:
? Must have training in rehabilitative and restorative therapy practices.
Specific Requirements:
? Must be able to read, write, speak and understand the English language.
? Must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age-related needs of the residents served.
? Must be a supportive team member, contribute to and be an example of team work and team concept.
? Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
? Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel and the general public.
? Must be knowledgeable of Physical Therapy procedures.
? Must possess leadership and supervisory ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with and supervise other personnel.
? Must possess the ability to plan, organize, develop, implement and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies, procedures, etc.
? Must maintain the care and use of supplies, equipment, etc., and maintain the appearance of treatment areas.
? Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm as well as be willing to handle residents based on whatever maturity level in which they are currently functioning.
? Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing restorative care practices.
? Must be able to use preventive measures to ensure quality of life and to maintain functional levels.
? Must be able to recognize resident's needs such as ROM exercises, ambulation limitations, etc.
? Must be able to instruct Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) in continuing preventive restorative care.
? Must be able to related information concerning a resident's condition.
? Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.
Physical and Sensory Requirements (with or without the aid of mechanical devices):
? Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
? Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner.
? Must be able to cope with the mental, emotional and physical stress of the position.
? Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to assure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.
? Must function independently, have flexibility, personal integrity and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, support agencies and outside agencies.
? Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility which include a medical and physical examination.
? Must be able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset and, at times, hostile people within the facility.
? Must be able to push, pull, move and/or lift a minimum of 25 pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move and/or carry such weight