Intern, Physical Therapy

Job Profile Summary 

​This role focuses on assessing the needs of patients who have physical, mental, or emotional disabilities and delivering therapy services to improve their developmental, physical or cognitive impairment.  In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Physical Therapy duties: Provides services that help restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or disease. Examines patient's medical history, evaluates their physical abilities, determines their potential to respond to therapy, and develops treatment plans.  An organizational related support or service (administrative or clerical) role or a role that focuses on support of daily business activities (e.g., technical, clinical, non-clinical) operating in a “hands on” environment.  The majority of time is spent in the delivery of support services or activities, typically under supervision.  An entry level role that typically requires little to no prior knowledge or experience, work is routine or follows standard procedures, work is closely supervised, and communicates information that requires little explanation or interpretation. 

Job Overview
This position is a year-long internship which spans the final student clinical experience through licensure and early practice to provide a seamless transition to entry-level practice under mentorship. The typical timeline will have the intern start in September, graduate from the credentialed Doctor of Physical Therapy program in January, take the January National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) and continue as a licensed intern from February through August. The intern is able to work under supervision of a licensed physical therapist according to Massachusetts state law title XVI, Chapter 112, section 23C.
The first 14 weeks of the internship will entail progressive hands-on learning in the clinical setting with progression to entry level competencies by week 14. Subsequently, the intern will be expected to perform job duties conforming to that of an entry level physical therapist.
The entry level physical therapy evaluates, develops and implements specific treatment programs for individual patients according to the principles and practices of physical therapy. The therapist will be educated in evaluating and treating across the life span to help patients achieve a maximum level of function using various therapeutic exercises, activities, modalities and skills. The therapist is responsible for documenting all age-appropriate patient care treatments in the medical record to comply with the policy and procedures of the department, organization and JCAHO requirements. The staff member will act as a liaison with other disciplines for problem-solving issues that arise related to clinical therapy services. May provide physical therapy coverage on a rotating basis for weekends and holidays dependent on operational need.

Job Description
Minimum Qualifications:
1. In good academic standing, no program concerns for graduation or CE III.
2. Successful completion of CE I and CE II.
3. Active certification in Basic Life Support (BLS)
Preferred Qualifications:
1. Prior clinical experience in the intern’s preferred setting or subspecialty.

Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.
1. Assesses, re-assesses & treats a variety of diagnoses with a high degree of professional competency &
efficiency to ensure quality patient care; Able to evaluate & treat pediatric, adolescent, geriatric & the
general population.
2. Assesses & re-assesses patient pain and develops appropriate treatment plan to assist patient in
attaining maximum functional outcomes.
3. Interacts professionally with patient/family and involves patient/family in the formation of plan of care; formulates a teaching plan based upon identified learning, cultural and psychosocial needs.
4. Sets realistic short- and long-term goals and plan of care related to patient’s physical therapy needs within the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary, and integumentary systems.
5. Communicates clearly and appropriately to patients, families, physicians, staff and all other customer
groups.
6. Once licensed, supervises and educates students, physical therapy assistants and rehab aides according to MA supervision law.
7. Maintains and completes proper and timely documentation in the medical record for all patients treated to promote communication to physicians and to ensure proper reimbursement.
8. Contributes to the department to ensure that the operations are efficient and cost effective; adheres to billing guidelines, charges, insurance limitation & all other departmental operations.
9. Prepares department for JCAHO surveys and participates in quality improvement activities. Performs other related duties as assigned and/or necessary to assure appropriate patient care.
10. Attends intra-departmental rounds, team meetings, case conferences and staff meetings.
11. Meets organization’s attendance & punctuality requirements to ensure proper coverage and quality service to patients, visitors and co-workers.
12. Follows established organizational precautions and procedures in the performance of all job duties to ensure a safe work environment for self and others.
13. Works directly and collaboratively with the interdisciplinary health care team, the patient, and the
patient’s family to promote maximum level of patient safety and independence in discharge planning.
14. Independently maintains all continuing education requirements as regulated by the Board of Allied Health Professionals.

Physical Requirements:
1. Prolonged, extensive, or considerable standing, walking, and transferring patients.
2. Regularly lift and/or move 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.
3. Requires manual dexterity using fine hand manipulation to operate computer keyboard, dexterity to
provide quantitative testing and manual treatment techniques to a wide variety of patients.
4. Visual acuity that allows for frequent computer use.
5. The employee in this position frequently communicates internally and externally; must be able to
exchange accurate information via phone, email and/or in person.

Skills & Abilities:
1. Demonstrates interpersonal skills including communication, teamwork, and willing to work one-on-one or a group basis.
2. Ability to work independently, to be self-motivated and well organized. Ability to function well in very busy situations.
3. Demonstrates understanding of clinical and operational responsibilities.
4. Demonstrates flexibility in job role and able to adjust to changes at a moment’s notice.
5. Maturity to operate effectively within a multi-disciplinary setting.
6. Able to work effectively with a wide variety of patients with acute and long-term disability.
7. Ability to read/write and communicate in English.
8. Must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to assess the needs of patients of all different age populations to provide care appropriately.
9. Able to visually and audibly assess injury and functional status of patients and patient’s subjective
complaints.
10. Knowledge of physical modalities, therapeutic exercise and other treatment skills.
11. Ability to observe and evaluate treatment effect and adjust plan of care as appropriate.
12. Demonstrates proper time management skills to attain department productivity while assuring quality patient care.
13. Receptive to feedback from team members and supervisors.
14. Takes initiative to ask for and receive help from colleagues.
15. Demonstrates professional integrity in patient-centered care.