Description

Perform direct patient care including evaluation, plan of care, treatment, and all required paperwork. Work with patients in a one on one environment. Patient cares to be provided to acute and swing bed patients in critical access hospital and outpatient. Assure a safe and directed continuum of care for patients post-discharge. Primary patient caseload includes general orthopedics for inpatient and outpatient settings specialized areas of specific service lines.

Comprehensive care including care coordination and self-management building skills to promote better outcomes for patients.  Emphasis on disease prevention and wellness, as well as treatment of acute and chronic diseases. Provide care management and support the patient/family/caregiver prior to treatment, during treatment and following treatment with transitional care and coordination across all elements of the broader health care system. This would include specialty care, hospitalization/ER, long-term care, home health care, community services and support, test tracking and follow-up, referral tracking and follow-up, and care coordination transitions from one health care facility to another facility or to home.

Requirements

1.  Evaluates, plans and administers treatment to patients in accordance with the healthcare provider order, and accepted standards of professional practice.

Establishes a system to provide timely and accurate rehabilitation assessment.
Conducts a thorough evaluation according to referral script.
Utilizes evaluation skills to assist in determining an accurate diagnosis and plan of care.
Provides evidence-based treatment services to restore, maintain or improve patient functions including gait training, strengthening, etc.
Develops treatment plan in collaboration with patient, family support systems and members of healthcare team.
Evaluates patient’s treatment goals for needed changes according to patient condition.
Performs therapy treatment and modality procedures ethically per APTA and clinic guidelines.
Re-evaluates patient on a regular basis and adjust treatment accordingly using subjective and objective information.
Utilizes space and equipment in cooperation with other staff.
Integrates both manual and non-manual therapy skills in treatment of patients where indicated.
 

2.  Evaluates treatment efficacy and patient progress and makes any necessary adjustments in the care plan to optimize patient care.

Complete treatment plan to meet regulatory guidelines.
Incorporates plans for discharge in treatment plan in collaboration with patient and support system.
Educates family and/or support system to functional needs and equipment/resources to meet these needs.
Utilizes outcome measurements to objectively assess effectiveness of treatment interventions.
Evaluates patient’s treatment goals and adjusts plan of care according to patient condition.

3.  Performs and maintains documentation. 

Documents accurate and ongoing assessments of patient status in a timely manner  that reflect physical therapy interventions, patient responses, patient teaching and status of outcomes at discharge.
Completes accurate reporting of billing in a timely manner. 
 

4.  Communicates effectively.

Communicates and collaborates effectively with other health team members regarding patient condition, physical therapy plan of care, patient satisfaction needs and recommendations for meeting identified outcomes.
Promotes and maintains positive inter- and intra- departmental communications.
Follows approved shift report format when communicating patient information.
Identifies and recognizes abnormal symptoms/changes in patient condition, established priorities, and takes appropriate action.  Appropriately reports condition changes to medical provider.
 

5.  Promotes and ensures patient and staff safety in all aspects of responsibilities.

Administers medications, treatments and procedures in a timely and safe manner according to physician orders and hospital policy, including appropriate performance of standard precautions, using two patient identifiers, and performing patient risk assessments every shift.
Utilizes proper body mechanics, transfer/lifting techniques to minimize fall risk to patient and injury to self.
Uses National Patient Safety Goals (for critical access hospitals) to ensure patient safety.
Implements infectious disease controls as appropriate including isolation procedures, proper use of hand washing and gloves.
 

6.  Performs other duties as assigned.