BASIC PURPOSE OF THE JOB

Responsible for assisting assigned patients in achieving maximum functional potential by facilitating and teaching motor skills.

REPORTS TO

• Manager of home department and Director of Rehabilitation Services

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Supervisory Responsibilities: NO

Minimum Education: Bachelors Degree required.

Degree: Bachelors Degree in Physical Therapy required.

License/Certification Required: Eligible for State of Tennessee Licensure.

Minimum Work Experience: Experience in pediatric therapy preferred.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of typical and atypical child development, strong clinical skills, excellent interaction and communication abilities.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Completes evaluations of assigned patients in accordance with the established standards of care and practice: Independently performs consultations/evaluations on patients according to best practices and departmental standards. Identifies needs and strengths that reflect an accurate assessment of the patient’s status, per documentation. Completes comprehensive assessment based on provider’s order, patient’s medical and developmental status. Completes reassessment for patients whose care is ongoing per Center policy. Makes appropriate decisions regarding care of inpatients based on patient readiness and ability to participate for consult/invention. Assists other therapists via case review, demonstration, and mentoring to enhance assessment skills in area of expertise. Suggests adding new standardized measure and outcome tools as they become available and have applicability to patient population.
• Develops a Plan of Care to promote optimum function and safety as documented in the clinical record: Partners with patients and caregivers to establish goals for Plan of Care based on an episodic care model. Establishes interventions and specific measurable outcomes that are consistent with identified needs and strengths. Identifies goals, and outcomes and timeframes that are realistic, measurable and address functional needs and strengths. Modifies and updates the plan of care as patient status warrants. based on patient progress and caregiver input. Supports modifications to the plan or care with documentation of clinical decision-making in reports, notes and progress summaries. Assists other therapists to enhance intervention skills (design and implementation of episodes of care in collaboration with the patient/family).
• Provides skilled therapy, reassessing patient status during each session ensuring quality of care: Selects and performs therapeutic techniques and that are appropriate to patient’s needs and medical status, reflecting therapist’s clinical knowledge and theory. Provides patient/caregiver education regarding treatment, precautions and equipment use and documents patient/caregiver understanding/demonstration provided. Plans discharge at evaluation and throughout the course of treatment based on patient response, caregiver goals, participation and progress. Prepares the patient and family for episodic transitions and discharge from therapy and provides education to determine if/when follow-up therapy services are indicated. Develops/revises competencies and plans that utilize current therapy standards of care for particular a variety of patient conditions and populations and family-centered planning and informed decision making. Identifies new/revised treatment tools and approaches and assists in implementation when appropriate. Independently manages own inpatient schedule with efficiency and timeliness. Manages unforeseen events with confidence and professionalism.
• Completes all documentation of services per department standards: Independently writes clear, concise, relevant and inclusive documentation that facilitates communication of the patient’s status and ongoing needs. Therapist adheres to all procedures and documentation standards per Rehabilitation standard operating procedures. Rehab specifications. Submits accurate and complete charges for each day and reconciles charges with provider billing report daily. Completes communication/accountability information tools (i.e. spreadsheets, data collection forms, documentation self-assessments and peer reviewsdischarge notification) within established timelines.
• Coordinates patient care with other clinical team members ensuring optimal patient care and communication as noted in the clinical record: Identifies the need for and makes referrals to other disciplines following established criteria. Exhibits knowledge about care provided by other disciplines and communicates effectively with patient, family and team members to reach optimum patient outcomes while remaining within scope of practice. Completes accurate documentation and communicates recommendations to providers and outside agencies with effective use of correspondence reports per standard operating procedures.
• Supervises patient care interventions provided by physical therapy assistantsor occupational therapy assistants following guidelines established by the APTA or AOTAand the state of Tennessee’s discipline-specific practice acts: Reviews and updates goals and care plans for patients assigned to physical therapy or occupational therapy assistants on a monthly basis.
• Meets all competencies for work specific assignments as indicated by clinical and inpatient competency checklists.
• Promotes and maintains professional relationships with other departments. Demonstrates respect and regard for the dignity of all patients, families, visitors and fellow employees to ensure a professional, responsible and courteous environment.
• Is sensitive to the needs, feelings and capabilities of others. Approaches others in a non-threatening way and pleasant manner and treats them with respect. Proactively seeks performance feedback and identifies approaches to improve performance
• Promotes and maintains effective communication: Responds timely to messages from providers, other departments, caregivers, and other internal and external customers. Responds within established timeframes for all on-call procedures and call backs. Checks and responds to email and voicemail at the beginning and end of each workday at a minimum. Answers staff phone while in staff areas. Addresses conflicts in a timely and professional manner. Communicates upward, keeping manager informed of pertinent issues and concerns. Assesses situations and implements most appropriate communication style, (i.e. guiding, directing, following) per Motivational Interviewing strategies. Communicates politely and respectfully, promoting collaborative relationships. Expresses alternate points of view in a non-threatening way. Knows when it’s appropriate to compromise and when it is important to take a stand.
• Assumes responsibility for own growth and development. Assists others with training education, growth and development: Maintains and enhances clinical knowledge and skills. Pursues alternative continuing education opportunities. Attends all in-service education when scheduled to work. Keeps current with departmental issues and operations.
• Promotes effective working relations and works effectively as part of a department/unit team inter- and intra-departmentally to facilitate the department’s/unit ability to meet its goals and objectives. Willingly accepts responsibility to fulfill scheduled on-call time and holiday coverage per department staffing guidelines.
• Participates in providing an environment conducive to learning for students from the professional schools utilizing the hospital and rehabilitation departments for clinical experience.
• Works on projects as part of a team, exchanging ideas and contributing skills that complement those of other team members. Fulfills commitments to team members.
• Exhibits innovative thinking. Looks for ways to improve effectiveness by implementing new ideas and more efficient approaches. Willingly accepts and completes any other assignments that may be requested.
• Utilizes hospital resources and time respectfully and accountably. Demonstrates accurate use of KRONOS time tracking system. Demonstrates accurate use of Dolly Children's Premium Pay Guidelines for clocking on-call pay and call back pay.
• Meets staff attendance standards and maintains personal records of unexpected occurrences. Submits accurate patient charges daily. Reconciles charges with billing report and attended appointments in CWS daily. Meets departmental productivity requirements as indicated by annually established criteria.
• Shows initiative to actively maintain and increase caseload by re-attempting missed visits and rescheduling appointments, offering alternate days and times when applicable.
• Demonstrates effective use of equipment (DME) distribution procedures per department guidelines. Independently manages patient care/non-patient care time constructively. Uses time productively in direct and in-direct patient care, department contributions, and assisting team members. Prepares for each session with needed therapy material, documentation and equipment.
• Independently manages patient scheduling with efficiency and timelines. Mentors and assists others in timely completion of administrative and procedural documentation.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
• Light lifting, pushing and pulling is required for 10-20 lbs occasionally and frequent moving of objects of less than 10 lbs is required. Frequent sitting with some walking, standing, squatting, bending and reaching is required. Keyboard/computer use and/or repetitive motions may be required. 

Come work where you can make a difference everyday.