Responsibilities

Under overall direction of the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Director (PM&R) and Clinical Supervisor, the Physical Therapist, Outpatient, Per Diem examines and evaluates patients and administers physical therapy interventions in collaboration with the referring physician. The Physical Therapist, Outpatient, Per Diem demonstrates competency in skills necessary to care for and manage primarily adult and geriatric-age patients. The Physical Therapist, Outpatient, Per Diem sees patients in an acute care, outpatient or acute inpatient rehabilitation unit setting.

Essential Functions:

• Examines and evaluates all new adolescent, adult and geriatric patients referred for physical therapy using data from the medical record and physical assessment, including pain assessment, to identify the patient problems, needs or deficits, especially functionally, for which physical therapy is appropriate.
• Interprets the examination and evaluative data using good judgment to identify/prioritize patient problems and needs, and establishes a comprehensive documented plan of care that includes mutually acceptable treatment goals with patient, family or significant others.
• Reassesses the patient and modifies the treatment plan/resets the goals when appropriate to reflect patient progress and rehabilitation potential.
• Coordinates the plan of care with the PM&R Department or inpatient rehabilitation unit staff and other appropriate members of the healthcare team in an interdisciplinary, collaborative manner to ensure implementation and follow-through of the treatment plan in a timely, effective and organized manner.
• Administers physical therapy interventions competently (see Competency) specific to the treatment setting according to recognized standards of appropriate care for the primarily adolescent, adult and geriatric patients and observes all indications and contraindications of treatment.
• Demonstrates physical therapy competency by attaining desired treatment outcome/goals and successful completion of competency assessment process.
• Performs a learning assessment, identifies educational needs of the patient through appropriate assessment criteria, and establishes/implements a teaching plan for the patient, family and/or significant others. Patient education is interdisciplinary whenever appropriate.
• Addresses potential discharge needs and services of the patient early in the care planning process. Regarding inpatients and inpatient Rehab Unit patients, assists the patient, family or significant others in preparation for discharge; communicates with Case Management about discharge plans; and makes recommendations for continued physical therapy services via Inpatient Rehab, Home Care or on an outpatient basis, if appropriate, to further achieve rehabilitation goals and provide continuity of patient care.

Schedule: PRN, as needed, Monday–Thursday, between the hours of 7am and 8pm, depending on location and needs. PRN Fridays, between the hours of 7am and 5pm. 2 Saturdays/month from 8am to 12 noon. Locations include the Sellersville Outpatient Center, Harleysville Outpatient Center and Colmar Ortho & Neurosurgery Center.