Physical Therapists (PTs) provides a variety of medical services to help individuals who have been injured or physically affected by illness to recover or improve function. A physical therapist must be able to evaluate a patient’s condition and devise a customized physical rehabilitation and treatment plan. The PTs’ goal is to develop, maintain and restore maximum movement and functional ability, in order to maximize quality of life.
Physical Therapists provide care to patients based on the application of scientific physical therapy principles. Responsibilities of the Physical Therapist include (but are not limited to):
- Plans and administers medically prescribed physical therapy treatment for patients suffering from injuries, or muscle, nerve, joint and bone diseases, to restore function, relieve pain, and prevent disability
- Reviews physician's referral (prescription) and patient's condition and medical records to determine physical therapy treatment required
- Tests and measures patient's strength, motor development, sensory perception, functional capacity, and respiratory and circulatory efficiency, and records findings to develop or revise treatment programs
- Plans and prepares written treatment program based on evaluation of patient data
- Administers manual exercises to improve and maintain function
- Instructs, motivates, and assists patient to perform various physical activities, such as non-manual exercises, ambulatory functional activities, daily-living activities, and in use of assistant and supportive devices, such as crutches, canes, and prostheses
- Administers treatments involving application of physical agents, using equipment, such as hydrotherapy tanks and whirlpool baths, moist packs, ultraviolet and infrared lamps, and ultrasound machines
- Evaluates effects of treatment at various stages and adjusts treatments to achieve maximum
- Administers massage
- Administers traction to relieve pain
- Records treatment, response, and progress in patient's chart or enters information into computer
- Instructs patient and family in treatment procedures to be continued at home
- Confers with physician and other practitioners to obtain additional patient information, suggest revisions in treatment program, and integrate physical therapy treatment with other aspects of patient's health care
- Orients, instructs, and directs work activities of assistants and aides
- Performs other position-related duties as assigned, depending on assignment setting
Other Responsibilities
- Complete required orientation as directed by facility
- Follow facility and OSHA safety rules and procedures while on assignment
- Follow facility and GHR Unusual Occurrence Protocol
- Respect cultural and religious practices of patients
- Uphold HIPAA regulations
- Punctual and dependent for assigned/confirmed shifts Position Requirements
- Graduate of an accredited PTA program
- Current PT license, in good standing with the State licensing board
- Minimum of one (1) year PT experience, in corresponding setting
- Federal-, State- and GHR-required credentials current and on file
- Cognitive skills as related to the position
Evening and weekend work may be required in order to fit patient schedules. The job is physically demanding. Physical Therapists are required to stand for long periods of time. They spend considerable time stooping, kneeling and crouching. PTs move heavy equipment. They assist with patient transfers and lifts or help them turn, stand or walk. So, to guard against back injury, they must follow proper body mechanics and procedures for lifting/moving patients. Physical Therapists that work in sub-acute or long-term care settings, have patients that need more assistance; therefore, the job is more physically demanding, compared to PTs that work in out-patient settings.
- Ability to lift fifty (50) pounds. Moving, lifting or transferring of patients may involve lifting of up to 100 pounds.
- Ability to stand for extended periods
- Fine motor skills
- Visual acuity
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach forward with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Physical Demand Ratings are an estimate of the overall strength
requirements that are considered to be important for an average, successful work performance of a specific job. In order to classify the occupation of a worker with a physical demand rating, the most strenuous and frequently performed tasks are evaluated. The overall physical demand rating for a job of the PTA falls within the Medium classification according to the Dictionary of Occupational Titles. However, due to the population in contracted facilities, this position has been classified as Heavy (exerting 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 20 to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or 10 to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
