Job: Licensed Physical Therapist

Job Description

Job Type: Full time, Hourly

Wage: $40-$45/hr. 

Location: Leadville, CO.

Job Description:

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Paid Time Off, Paid Sick Leave, Holidays, 403(b) Retirement Program, Life Insurance Plans, Worker Compensation, and Voluntary Benefits.

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the general direction of the Therapy Services Manager the Physical Therapist administers procedures and modalities such as exercise, heat, electrical devices, and massage. Follows prescription/orders by a physician. Evaluates and recommends additional modification of treatment and is responsible for safety of patients. Designs and uses adaptive exercise equipment. Registration and state license required.

MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS Doctor of Physical Therapy from CAPTE accredited program.

MINIMUM WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS - 3 years' physical therapy provider experience.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

• Colorado Physical Therapy License, or ability to obtain with 90 days of hire.
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support Provider (CPR/AED).

OTHER SKILLS

• Basic computer skills.
• Basic EMR skills.
• Interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Proficient use and understanding of medical terminology.

POSITION DUTIES (ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS)

Physical Therapist

• Meets the patient’s goals and needs and provides quality care by assessing and interpreting evaluations and test results; determining physical therapy treatment plans in consultation with physicians or by prescription.
• Help patients accomplish treatment plans and accept therapeutic devices by administering manual exercises; instructing, encouraging, and assisting patients in performing physical activities, such as non-manual exercises, ambulatory functional activities, and daily living activities and in using assistive and supportive devices, such as canes, crutches, and prostheses.
• Administers physical therapy treatments by giving massages, initiating traction; applying physical agents; utilizing hydrotherapy, moist packs, ultraviolet and infrared lamps, and ultrasound machines; directing treatments given by aides, technicians, and assistants.
• Evaluates effects of physical therapy treatments and fit of prosthetic and orthotic devices by observing, noting and evaluating patient’s progress; recommending adjustments and modifications.
• Completes discharge planning by consulting with physicians, nurses, social workers and other health care workers; contributing to patient care conferences.
• Assures continuation of therapeutic plan following discharge by designing home exercise programs; instructing patients, families, and caregivers in home exercise programs; recommending and/or providing assistive equipment; recommending outpatient or home health follow-up programs.
• Documents patient care services by charting in patient and department records per facility and insurance guidelines.
• Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and procedures.
• Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; following manufacturer’s instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions; calling for repairs.
• Must be able to communicate effectively and pleasantly both over the phone and in person.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks, participating in professional societies.
• Develops physical therapy staff by providing information; developing and conducting in-service training programs.
• Complies with federal, state, and local legal and professional requirements by studying existing and new legislation; anticipating future legislation; enforcing adherence to requirements; advising management on needed actions.
• Actively promotes the therapy services department with referring providers. Excellent communication and promotional skills are required.
• Promotes positive interpersonal relationship and demonstrates effective communication skills to solve problems, to carry out hospital policies and procedures, and to coordinate patient care.
• Maintains effective communication with personnel and medical staff through regular conferences and meetings.
• Applies information learned during informative learning sessions and effectively teaches other pertinent information.
• Accepts work assignments as delegated.
• Accepts responsibility for solving interpersonal conflicts, reports conflicts which cannot be resolved and require intervention.
• Demonstrates patience and tact when dealing with patients, families, physicians, and other healthcare team members.
• Communicates and interacts with patient’s family in a way that is perceived by the family as positive and supportive.
• Takes steps to decrease stress and/or increase effectiveness of coping mechanism of patients and families having difficulty dealing with injury and hospitalization.
• Demonstrates flexibility in working hours and schedules in order to meet the needs of the Therapy Services Department.
• Remains current with industry changes and information.
• Maintains certification in designated skills as defined by Colorado law.
• Demonstrates knowledge of and adheres to policies and procedures of St. Vincent General Hospital.
• Maintains confidentiality in all health information matters.
• Promotes good relationships with other hospital departments in order to achieve optimal working conditions.
• Demonstrates flexibility and willingly accepts responsibility, notifying supervisor when additional work can be assumed.
• Receives, evaluates and discusses suggestions and constructive criticism in a professional manner.
• Checks with supervisor before any overtime is accumulated, or alteration in their routinely scheduled working hours.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

General

• Provide care in various settings, including but not limited to, our inpatient, outpatient, and home health departments.
• Exhibits a caring attitude to co-workers and visitors, including working cooperatively with others for a positive work environment and team-building atmosphere.
• Complies with facility attendance policies and procedures; meets attendance requirements of the job.
• Participates in self-growth opportunities/requirements and participates in training opportunities, in-services and meetings per department and facility policy.
• Requests help and/or guidance as necessary in order to safely perform assigned duties.
• Plans and organizes work activity to complete scheduled assignments on time.
• Completes an acceptable work load and accepts additional tasks willingly.
• Understands and follows the chain of command when dealing with problems and concerns.
• Complies with facility policies and procedures, including fire evacuation and disaster plans.
• Deals with interpersonal conflict in a healthy and positive manner.
• Completes occurrence and all other reports per facility policy.
• Demonstrates knowledge and practice of standard precautions for prevention of the spread of disease.

These rules are promulgated and adopted by the Director of Registrations pursuant to § 12-41-125(2)(b), C.R.S.

Rule 1 – Delegation of Duties

The purpose of this rule is to clarify the special practice authorities addressed in § 12-41-113, C.R.S.

A. A physical therapist performing an initial examination and evaluation shall be the therapist of record for that patient unless an authorized physical therapist transfers the responsibility to another physical therapist through documentation in the patient records.

B. A physical therapist shall rely on their expertise and decision making capability when determining the most appropriate utilization of an unlicensed person to provide for the delivery of service that is safe, effective, and efficient.

C. A physical therapist may supervise no more than three unlicensed personnel at one time. Unlicensed personnel for the purposes of these rules and the Physical Therapy Practice Act include physical therapist assistants, physical therapy aides, and physical therapist students.

D. The physical therapist of record must personally perform and cannot delegate to unlicensed individuals the interpretation of referrals, initial examinations and evaluations, diagnosis and prognosis, development and modification of plans of care, determination of discharge criteria, and supervision of all care rendered to the patient/client. These procedures may be transferred to another physical therapist through documentation in the patient records.

E. The term “wound debridement” as used in section 12-41-113(3), C.R.S., refers to sharp, enzymatic, selective, and pharmacological wound debridement and can only be performed by a licensed physical therapist unless otherwise authorized by Colorado law. A physical therapist may not delegate such wound debridement to unlicensed personnel, but may delegate soft or non-selective wound debridement to a physical therapist assistant.

Rule 2 – Supervision of Physical Therapist Assistants

The purpose of this rule is to specify supervisory requirements for physical therapist assistants who meet the qualifications under § 12-41-113(1), C.R.S.

A. This rule applies to all licensed physical therapists who utilize physical therapist assistants in their practice. A physical therapist is responsible for all care provided by physical therapist assistants under his or her supervision.

B. For the purposes of these rules and regulations, the physical therapist may supervise the physical therapist assistant performing all acts that are included in the practice of physical therapy as defined in § 12-41-103(6), C.R.S., except for the therapies and procedures identified in Rule 1(D) above or acts that are otherwise prohibited by law. Physical therapist assistants may perform soft or non-selective wound debridement as noted in Rule 1(E), but may not perform sharp, enzymatic, selective, and pharmacological wound debridement.

C. The physical therapist is responsible for the performance of all services performed by the physical therapist assistant. That responsibility requires the physical therapist to assure those services are performed with a degree of care and skill that would be expected of the licensed physical therapist. The physical therapist is legally accountable for the performance of the physical therapist assistants operating under his or her responsible direction and supervision.

D. Section 12-41-113(1), C.R.S., requires a physical therapist to provide responsible direction and supervision of an unlicensed person identified as a physical therapist assistant. Responsible direction and supervision is hereby defined as direction and supervision provided by a physical therapist that assumes accountability for the delegated acts of the unlicensed person identified as a physical therapist assistant.

E. The following condition must be met before a physical therapist can utilize a physical therapist assistant: a licensed physical therapist must be designated and recorded in the patient/client records as responsible for supervising the care and interventions provided by the physical therapist assistant. That physical therapist must consistently provide for the planning, evaluating, and supervising of all care rendered to the patient/client.

F. A physical therapist assistant may not supervise other physical therapist assistants or unlicensed personnel.

Rule 3 – Supervision of Unlicensed Personnel Who Are Not Physical Therapist Assistants

The purpose of this rule is to clarify the supervision requirements for other unlicensed persons providing physical therapy services under the supervision of a physical therapist who are not qualified to practice as a physical therapist assistant as defined by § 12-41-113(1), C.R.S.

A. A physical therapist is responsible for the care provided by other unlicensed personnel under his or her supervision. All other unlicensed persons participating in the delivery of physical therapy who are not physical therapist assistants as defined by § 12-41-113(1), C.R.S., shall be deemed as physical therapy aides.

B. A physical therapist may supervise no more than three (3) unlicensed personnel at one time. Unlicensed personnel for the purposes of this rule and the Physical

C. Therapy Practice Act include physical therapist assistants, physical therapy aides, and physical therapist students.

D. Section 12-41-113(1), C.R.S., requires a physical therapist to provide direct supervision of physical therapy aides. Direct supervision shall mean supervision that is on the premises and in the same building where any such unlicensed personnel are practicing.

E. A physical therapist shall periodically evaluate and observe the performance of the physical therapy aides under his or her supervision to ensure that the intervention rendered meets the standard of care.

F. A physical therapist assumes accountability for the delegated acts of the unlicensed person defined as a physical therapy aide.

G. Wound debridement and joint mobilization shall not be delegated to physical therapy aide.

Rule 4 – Authorized Practice Of Physical Therapy By A Person Not Licensed In Colorado

The purpose of this rule is to outline the following conditions under which a physical therapist not licensed in Colorado may practice for a temporary period of time under § 12-41-114(1)(f), C.R.S.:

A. The entity wishing to employ or engage the services of a visiting, unlicensed physical therapist must notify the Director at least one week prior to the start date and must document the need for employing or engaging the services of a visiting, unlicensed physical therapist. This requirement also applies to continuing education courses.

B. The visiting, unlicensed physical therapist must possess a current and active license or registration in good standing in another state or country and provide a copy of the license to the Director at least one week prior to practicing in Colorado.

* This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties. Employee may perform other related duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES AND ANNUAL REQUIREMENTS AS REQUIRED FOR THE JOB:

• ANNUAL HOSPITAL JOB SPECIFIC SKILLS COMPETENCIES
• ANNUAL CONTINUING EDUCATION
• COMPLIANCE WITH ALL HOSPITAL EMPLOYEE HEALTH REQUIREMENTS INCLUDING INFLUENZA VACCINE AND OTHER VACCINATIONS AS REQUIRED BY POLICY.

**Disclaimer: The duties and responsibilities described above are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee, time to time; the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands. Click “View Application” below for more detail on this specific job.