PRN Physical Therapist- Inpatient Acquired Brain Injury - Saturday Coverage

With five decades of experience, Shepherd Center provides world-class clinical care, research, and family support for people experiencing the most complex conditions, including spinal cord and brain injuries, multi-trauma, traumatic amputations, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and pain. An elite center ranked by U.S. News as one of the nation’s top hospitals for rehabilitation, Shepherd Center is also recognized as both Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems. Shepherd is the only rehabilitation facility in the nation with an intensive care unit on-site, allowing care for the most complex patients and beginning the rehabilitation process sooner. The culture is one of hope, humor, and hard work, with strong career growth, co-worker relationships, leadership support, and fun activities that have kept over 12% of staff members for more than 20 years.

About the role

The Physical Therapist is responsible for treating patients (adolescent, adult, and geriatric) by determining short-term and long-term goals in conjunction with the patient, family/caregiver, and other Shepherd Center team members, and developing and implementing a comprehensive plan of care. This active and hands-on role improves the patient experience through rehabilitation services and collaborates with others to facilitate patient recovery.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates patient’s physical and functional status including muscular strength, motor functions, reflexes, ambulation skills, and ability to perform activities of daily living.
• Observes and interviews patient, reviews medical history, and administers sensory tests, muscle tests, range-of-motion exams, and other evaluation techniques.
• Develops and implements treatment programs to further patient functional skills, periodically reassessing and adapting the plan.
• Plans and delivers effective patient and family training to ensure proper patient care.
• Utilizes and orders in-house trial equipment according to need and correctly fits equipment to the patient.
• Schedules patients for specialty clinics and programs where appropriate.
• Determines and orders/recommends appropriate durable medical equipment in consultation with patient, caregivers, payer source, and team members.
• Discusses evaluation, goals, and treatment with patient and family and instructs them on the exercise program and use of equipment.
• Determines appropriate discharge planning needs based on evaluation findings.
• Effectively participates in intra-departmental staff meetings and discipline/program committee assignments.
• May participate in education programs by teaching and supervising students.
• Participates in research projects as needed.
• Prepares and maintains records of observations and care given, documenting clearly and completely in a timely manner.
• Performs consistently with Shepherd Center standards, clinical policies, and procedures.
• Practices proper safety techniques and reports employee/patient/visitor injuries or accidents.
• Actively participates in center-wide efforts affecting physical therapy practice and establishes relationships with other physical therapists.
• May provide supervision and education to therapy support personnel during and outside of PT treatment sessions.
• May float to inpatient or post-acute programs to provide patient evaluation or treatment sessions as needed.
• Monitors and ensures compliance with all regulatory requirements, organizational standards, and policies related to the area of responsibility.
• Identifies potential risk areas and supports problem resolution processes.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned.

Requirements

• A degree from an accredited program in physical therapy.
• BLS certification.
• Licensed to practice in the state of Georgia.
• Two (2) years recent clinical experience preferred.
• Basic computer skills.
• Working knowledge of all treatment and therapeutic patient care devices used by physical therapy staff.
• Must display knowledge of growth, development, and the ability to interpret and disseminate information in terms of age-specific patient needs (adolescent, adult, and geriatric).
• Demonstrates competency in time management, organization, prioritization, and critical thinking.
• Communicates effectively using timely verbal, non-verbal, and written communication.
• Willingly adapts to changing work demands and environments.
• Demonstrates critical thinking skills and makes sound judgments to monitor and respond to patient needs or changes in condition.
• Completes orientation, initial competency assessment, mandatory education, and annual competency assessment requirements by determined due dates.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience with patients with Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, Stroke, Concussion, and Vestibular Disorders.

Physical Demands

• Uses body, tools, or special devices to safely, effectively, and efficiently move, guide, or place patients.
• Involves some latitude for judgment regarding precision and selection of adaptive devices.
• Ability to transfer and position patients, consistent with lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Repetitive lifting, moving, squatting, kneeling, and crawling physical requirements.

Working Conditions

• Normal patient care environment.
• Some potential for exposure to blood and body fluids.
• Some potential exposure to infectious viruses.