Summary

SUMMARY:  Under limited technical supervision, the SLH Senior Physical Therapist efficiently evaluates and treats a broad spectrum of patients. Communicates well with staff members, physicians, and other disciplines and assists with program planning. The SLH Physical Therapist, Senior uses skill, judgment and knowledge to facilitate of daily operations. Trains and supervises a small group of physical therapists, assistants, aides, and/or students when needed. Performs related duties as required.

 

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:  NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification.  However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level.  Not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual in the classification.
 

1. Confers individually and/or in team meeting with physicians, nurses, social workers, and other health care team members about patient status and/or discharge planning.

2. Attends, participates, and contributes to in-service educational training.

3. Communicates with patient and family.  Educates patient, family, other caregivers in self-care, prevention and wellness, home exercise programs, use of equipment, and safety.

4. Confers with other PT's, assistants, aides, clerical staff and department leader as appropriate for problem solving and program planning.

5. Completes required administrative forms for leave of absences, payroll, and statistics. Uses time clock appropriately. Completes annual competencies, health tests, and surveys in a timely manner.

6. Documentation: Writes clear, concise, legible, and objective information on patient evaluations, progress notes, discharge notes, equipment orders, and insurance forms and records accurate daily treatment attendance and charges. Utilizes electronic health record efficiently for information gathering. Completes documentation in a timely manner.

7. Participates in gathering data for Continuing Quality Assurance, Performance Improvement, staff surveys, etc.

8. Uses appropriate safety measures – body mechanics, infection control, environmental hazard control; cleans treatment area after use.

9. Administers comprehensive PT evaluations, using tests and measurements appropriate for the patient's diagnosis, age, and disabilities. Completes in a timely manner.

10. Develops and implements a treatment plan using various physical therapy procedures, equipment, modalities, and techniques to produce positive changes in patient outcomes. Orders, recommends, or obtains referrals for necessary assistive devices, bracing, prosthetics, or continuation of therapy in another setting. 

11. Accepts responsibility for non-patient care duties, e.g. task forces, in-service new staff, organization, which aids in the delivery of care of the department.

12. Arranges schedules to accommodate patient care when a team member is absent. Coordinates scheduling of patients as appropriate to the service. Assists with basic operational oversight when department manager is absent.

13. Orients and supervises new staff members and students. Proofreads notes and supervises patient care until assured of their competence. Helps evaluate staff PTs, PT Assistants, and PT Aides. Evaluates students fairly and accurately with the approved clinical evaluation tools.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Graduation from an approved school of Physical Therapy.

Minimum Experience: One year of experience as a Physical Therapist as employed by Alameda Health System; OR three to five years or more of recent experience in another clinical setting related to the area of proposed supervision (acute medical, rehab, SNF, or outpatient).

Required Licenses/Certifications: BLS - Basic Life Support Certification - issued by AHA-American Heart Association.

Required Licenses/Certifications:  Valid license to practice as a Physical Therapist in the State of California.