Ak-Physical Therapist

Job Description:

This position will be located at the SEARHC Wrangell Medical Center with primary focus on providing general Physical Therapy (PT) evaluations and treatments which impact patient's functional abilities.
PT is a core service provided by this healthcare organization.
Performs in a professional manner, respects confidentiality, and demonstrates qualities endorsed by following the Seven Standards for Service Excellence outlined in the SEARHC Human Resources Manual.
Services are to be provided in compliance with hospital standards, licensure requirements, regulatory and practice standards of PT and the national professional guidelines established by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) .


Position Complexities:
Physical therapists are health care professionals responsible and accountable for patient assessment, evaluation, establishing a plan of care and therapeutic interventions for a wide range of ages with widely varying diagnosis and skills needs who present with a full spectrum of movement abilities, dysfunctions and complexities.
The clinician needs to be able to inform clinical teams regarding decisions that involve physical therapy while taking in consideration consultation provided by other care providers.
As patients are seen, recommendations may be made regarding their level of independence and rehabilitation needs which may impact services, care placement and further treatment.
The incumbent shall also demonstrate accountability for the contribution to program development, quality improvement, problem solving, and productivity enhancement in a flexible interdisciplinary fashion.
Documenting and processing interventions appropriately must be followed for continuity of care and reimbursement for services.


Essential Duties/Responsibilities:
Duty/Responsibility #1 (70%):
Provides assessment, performs evaluation, identifies therapy diagnosis, formulates therapy treatment plan with goals and implements treatment of PT services to patients.
Be responsible as the primary therapy provider to implement, supervise and modify a therapy plan of care based on assessment of patient response to optimize the outcome for each patient.
Review clinical records and case histories.
Attends care conferences, regular meetings/rounds and remains in contact with referring providers, nurses and other rehabilitation professionals to review patient's status and individual needs with-in the health care team concept.
Collaborates with other team members to assure appropriate medical equipment is arranged and care plan is established prior to discharge.
Document patient encounter findings and treatments including diagnoses, treatment plan, recommendations, and prognoses in appropriate format according to hospital policies.
Provides services in a timely manner after receipt of referral.
Both In-patient and out-patient populations in various settings as assigned.
Direct the work of support staff, students or interns.
Facilitates a healthcare partnership between providers, the patients and their families.
Develop, implement and conduct patient education and therapy programs based on patient and/or family needs.
Provides patients and families home exercise programs to achieve the fullest rehabilitative potential.
Advises patients and family members in methods that facilitate a capacity for self-care and independence, facilitating movement towards a healthcare partnership between providers, the patients and their families.
Home programs are clear and concise and the provider ensures that these instructions are understood by asking for feedback and demonstration of programs by patient or caregivers.
Programs are taught demonstrating sensitivity to cross cultural issues.


Duty/Responsibility #2 (10%):
Assist senior staff in administrative matters, clinic operations, and speciality/research areas as appropriate.
Utilize the hospital computer system to obtain patient information, as well as keep abreast of hospital directives, and in general participate in the timely and efficient flow of information.
Provides summary of results, statistics and metrics as required by management.
Assists acquisition and fit of durable medical equipment/devices based on needs of patient.
Maintain supply stocks and clinical equipment at acceptable levels.
Remain current in specific billing procedures/mechanisms (Medicare, Medicaid and third party payers) to aid in reimbursement of services, dispensable supplies, including plan of care concurrence with referring providers.
Maintain cleanliness of clinical space.


Duty/Responsibility #3 (10%):
Therapy services may be performed outside of Wrangell Medical Center in conjunction with SEARHC Community Health Services programs and the community at large and may take place in locations including: Wrangell High School Student Health Clinic, SEARHC Community Clinics, community senior centers, Long-Term Care, health/job fairs, patients' home and/or workplace, and other collaborative efforts between WMC-Rehabilitation Department and the community.
This may include participation with project or health promotion teams.
Video conferencing may be used for patient encounters, training, and administrative duties with off site locations.
Home assessments for evaluation of patient's living arrangements, use of durable medical equipment and implementation of therapy plan in the home living environment.
Occasional multi-day travel to remote locations by boat or small plane which may be in inclimate or harsh weather.


Duty/Responsibility #4 (5%):
Educates staff on PT issues and educates patient/family with therapeutic exercises, activities and equipment.
Assists in committee and management duties with-in and representing the Rehabilitation Department as requested.
Provide therapy consultation, presentations, and in-service to medical staff, consultants, and other interdisciplinary health care personnel and patient populations regarding therapy services as assigned.
This may include participation with project or health promotion teams.
In order to keep current with knowledge of therapy procedures/techniques and improve clinical service staff will participate as a learner or teacher in clinical education, in-service, etc.
Continuing educational funds will be allocated for the benefit of the department.
Adheres to the regulatory and practice standards of PT set by the APTA.
Follows all SEARHC confidentiality and quality assurance standards; participates in SEARHC SQM functions, utilizes SQM principles in all aspects of the job.
Demonstrates sensitivity to cross cultural issues.


Duty/Responsibility #5 (5%):
Performs other duties or activities as assigned.


Baseline Qualification Requirements:
•Entry level qualifying masters or doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from ccredited program or graduate from an APTA approved program of Physical Therapy at the Baccalaureate level with 2 years proven work and Continuing Education experience that indicates applicant has mastered the knowledge base that would typically be taught in a master's program.

•Licensed as a Physical Therapist in the State of Alaska
•Current Basic Life Support certification.

•Valid Driver's license.


Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
•Knowledge of musculoskeletal physiology including active/passive range of motion, gait, strength, biomechanics and mental cognition in order to administer a variety of standardized assessments, being able to select the most appropriate test for a specific client and implement treatments accordingly.

•Knowledge in various techniques for providing sound assessments, evaluations, treatment planning, and treatments for patients presenting various diagnosis with functional deficits among the general population.

•Knowledge of various regulations and practice standards as they relate to PT including billing mechanisms (Medicaid, Medicare and third party payers) that may be available for patient equipment and services.

•PT treatment skills: Skill to utilize, properly fit and train patients with adaptive devices.
Including but not limited to splints, braces, orthosis, seating equipment, durable medical equipment and ADL assistive device
•Skills in expressing self clearly and effectively in written and spoken communication, such as in both daily documentation of written reports, client progress notes, narrative summaries, as well as in training clinical and non-clinical staff; consulting with upper management, outside agencies, organizations, and subordinates; networking with other providers in the community; and proficient in public speaking.

•Skills utilizing information technology.
Proficiency with computers including multiple software applications, interface with multiple programs.
Uses of new technologies such as laptops, tablets and imaging devices.

•Must have the ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, teachers, community members and non-PT/OT service professionals, persons of any level of understanding.
Including the ability to translate complex PT/OT service diagnoses, evaluations, and therapies into simple oral and written language that others can understand.

•Must have the physical ability to deliver treatment techniques and assist patient mobility while keeping patients and self safe: allowing the therapist to work effectively with patients and their families for proven therapeutic progress
•Must have the ability to exercise sound judgment in all aspects of employment such as patient care, work place safety and employee relations.


Other Comments:
•This job can involve working in a small space, at a demanding pace, with a variety of people and sometimes difficult personalities and situations; good judgement, tact and personal skills are necessary for positive working relationships between patients and co-workers.
This job involves potential risks that the Therapist must work to avoid to the extent possible.
Exposure to infectious organisms is possible; use of precautions and appropriate protective equipment is necessary.

•Latex may be present in the work place.

•The job may require repetitive or heavy lifting, up to 50 pounds, with physically demanding movements and positions; practice of good body mechanics and good judgement is necessary.
Services may be provided in a variety of settings including in-patient, out-patient, off-site locations, community events, home visits and remote locations.
There may be occasional travel to remote areas by boat or plane for multiple days, possibly in harsh weather.

•This job is a covered position in accordance with the Indian Child Protection Act.


Position Urgency:
Normal

Shifts:
M-F

State License Details:
Must Be Currently Active

Minimum Years of Experience:
2

Minimum Guaranteed Hours:
No Guarantee

Specialty Type:
Rehabilitation Therapy

Sub Specialty:
Physical Therapist

General Certifications:
BLS/BCLS

Bilingual:
No

EMR Used:
Cerner

Holiday Coverage Required:
Yes