Physical Therapy Mentorship Position - Temporary - 40 Hours, Days

Qualifications

• Graduate from an accredited physical therapy program, with minimum Baccalaureate, Masters, or Doctorate degree per Physical Therapy Practice Act.
• Current Connecticut licensure or Temp CT License.
• Valid driver's license.
• CPR certification preferred.
• Member of the American Physical Therapy Association preferred.
• MHS or Doctorate in Physical Therapy preferred.

Job Summary

To evaluate, plan, implement, and document a goal-oriented program of physical therapy interventions that facilitate optimal musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary, integumentary, physical function and health.

To participate in an interdisciplinary team approach, communicating relevant information to others and providing education to staff, patients and families as necessary.

To supervise and direct the physical therapy assistant, rehabilitation aide, volunteers, and affiliate physical therapist and physical therapist assistant students.

Physical Demands

• Ability to tolerate up to four hours of consecutive work, which may include constant standing or walking with occasional periods of sitting.
• Ability to safely transfer patients and provide contact guarding or hands-on assistance.
• Ability to lift or carry objects up to 10 pounds continuously, to 50 pounds frequently, and over 75 pounds occasionally for patient transfer/repositioning.
• Frequent need to initiate body positional changes, such as bending and reaching and occasionally climbing, squatting, kneeling or crawling to access equipment from high and low areas and while providing treatment interventions.
• Functional fine and gross motor skills and upper extremity sensation needed.
• Intact vision needed for observation of patient's non-verbal responses and skin assessment.
• Must be able to initiate and interpret communication with patient and others.
• Ability to tolerate submersion in up to shoulder-depth water from 1-3 hours.

Cognitive Demands

• Independent problem identification.
• Abstract reasoning and adaptability to new situations, changing environment and information and quick decision-making is required.
• A high degree of selective attention, discernment, perception and/or concentration in the presence of noise/distraction is necessary.
• Learning new techniques, applying theory to functional context, determining interventions to be used and modifying plan of care to patient needs.
• Reading, auditory comprehension of abstraction and an ability to make inferences.
• Expression of abstract/complex ideas, use of negotiation and active listening and an ability to dialogue with multiple parties.
• Basic computer skills for scheduling and/or billing, and other necessary patient relative computer activities.

Essential Functions

• Provides evaluation and treatment of cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal, and neurological, impairments as dictated by the state practice act and licensure requirements.
• Recognizes physiological, psychological, and age-related changes in the patient, consults with other Health Care Team members, and establishes measurable goals with the patient and family based on appropriate patient care protocols and critical paths.
• Plans, implements, delivers, and delegates patient care by utilizing appropriate therapeutic modalities and interventions based on assessments, revising treatments when needed, instructing patient/family through verbal, written, and audiovisual materials and participating in discharge planning including recommendations to community resources to meet patient needs throughout the continuum of care.
• Captures and documents in a timely manner all patient and professional interactions such as evaluations, assessments, progress towards goals, equipment purchase orders, statistical reports, home programs and discharge summaries to maintain continuity of patient care for department standards, JCAHO and outside regulatory and insurance agencies.
• Communicates understanding both verbally and nonverbally to patients and families, health care team members, supervisors, and students in an appropriate manner to enhance positive relationships both internally and externally.
• Demonstrates professionalism in all interactions to promote the needs of the patient and the institution they represent. Utilizes the AIDET principles in all interactions with internal and external customers.