Physical Therapist

The Physical Therapist performs a full range of physical therapy services in accordance with the scope of clinical privileges granted by the treatment facility. Primary neuro-musculoskeletal care to include the exercise of professional judgment in the evaluation, treatment, and referral of patients with musculoskeletal complaints. Performs primary evaluations to provide primary care. The parameters of practice include issuing profiles, placing personnel on quarters (e.g., bed rest), referring patients to other specialty clinics.

• Plan and prepare written treatment programs based on an evaluation of the patient.
• Administer manual exercises to improve and maintain function.
• Instruct, motivate, and assist patients in performing various physical activities, such as non-manual exercises, ambulatory functional activities, daily living activities, and in use of assistive and supportive devices, such as crutches, canes, and prostheses.
• Administer soft tissue mobilization, applying knowledge of mobilization techniques and body physiology.
• Administer traction to relieve pain, using traction equipment.
• Record treatment, response, and progress in patient's chart and/or automated systems.
• Coordinate treatment with physician and other staff members to obtain additional patient information, suggest revisions in treatment program and integrate physical therapy treatment with other aspects of the patient's health care. Contact referring physicians regarding patient care concerns, as required.
• Perform prevention and wellness activities, education, screening, and promote positive health behaviors.
• Provide required service within the rules and regulations of the Texas State board of Physical Therapy.
• Design treatment plans to be implemented personally by the therapist or by civilian physical therapy assistants (PTAs) or military physical therapy technicians.
• Directly oversees the plan of care conducted by subordinate personnel. Take full responsibility for patient provided in assigned area regardless of whether they are personally providing the care or have utilized subordinate staff members.
• Provide professional guidance, counseling and evaluation and assist in directing activities and training of any assigned student.
• Interact effectively with patients and healthcare professionals to maintain a high-quality standard of healthcare.
• Perform all duties with minimal supervision or guidance.
• Physical Therapist shall consult with the section chief for their assigned area and the Chief, Physical Therapy, BAMC when patient issues cannot be resolved at the section level.
• React quickly to changes in complex patient presentation to ensure the safety of the patient in all situations.
• Prioritize and optimally dose specific interventions to improve function and safe mobility to prepare the patient for discharge.
• Perform as a clinical instructor, when requested, in full compliance with the guidelines established by the Texas chapter of the American Physical Therapy association for the mastery and assessment of clinical skills or according to other guidelines established by physical therapy school of the affiliating student.
• Perform thorough patient examinations appropriate for the condition for which the patient has sought physical therapy care or the purpose of provider referral. Examinations will encompass the full spectrum of physical therapist examination skills to adequately diagnose the cause of the patient's complaint.
• Plan and administer physical therapy to general medical and surgical patients with single and multiple disabilities such as fractures, sprains, hemiplegia, peripheral nerve injuries, and surgical reconstruction.
• Directly participate in all patient treatment and directly oversees any treatment applied by subordinate personnel.
• Execute a full range of treatment procedures using manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, gait training, manual muscle testing, and sparing application of modalities such as heat, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation.
• Evaluate and document each patient's response to treatment on an ongoing basis.Track treatment as appropriate and execute ongoing discharge planning.
• Revise treatment plans when patients fail to respond or show adverse reactions to treatment.
• Make timely and appropriate referrals to other Providers when medically indicated.
• Maintain proper medical records on all patients.
• Primary neuro-musculoskeletal care includes the exercise professional judgment in the evaluation, treatment, and referral of patients with musculoskeletal complaints.
• Perform primary evaluations, reuires knowledge of differential diagnose history taking, the carrying out of complex examinations procedures, the correlation of test results and measurements, and the prescribing of treatment.
• Issue profiles, place personnel on quarters (e.g., bed rest), referring patients to other specialty clinics.
• Support staff, a written plan of care must be furnished to the support staff describing all treatment tasks to the appropriate clinic personnel.
• Other duties as assigned

• Master's degree in physical therapy or Baccalaureate degree in physical therapy for graduates prior to January 1, 2002.
• Minimum two (2) years’ experience providing direct out-patient care in physical therapy in the United States.
• Minimum two (2) years’ experience providing direct in-patient care in physical therapy in the United States.
• Possess a current, valid, active, and unrestricted license from any U.S. jurisdiction to practice as a physical therapist.
• Possess a current BLS certification
• American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) certification or specialization in orthopedic, sport and manual therapy is preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Possess documented experience and proficiency within an acute inpatient physical therapy setting.

• Experience and proficiency in outpatient orthopedic physical therapy, sport physical therapy and/or acute inpatient physical therapy preferred.
• Experience and proficiency within an acute inpatient physical therapy setting Preferred
• Ability to analyze and interpret abstract and concrete data, evaluate outcomes, and problem-solve within scope.
• Ability to read and interpret Doctor’s daily notes from medical rounds.
• Ability to exercise professional judgment in administering treatment to the spectrum of physical therapy patients with neurological, general medical, post-surgical and orthopedic disorders.
• Ability to effectively communicate with the interdisciplinary team to provide updates on the status of patients.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge of acute medical conditions and how these conditions could affect patient mobility.
• Ability to ask questions when unsure of hospital equipment and be aware of one’s own limitations in knowledge.
• Ability to establish rapport with families, patients, and health care teams and ensure that the patient and family are involved in all care.
• Ability to be effective, flexible and proficient in-patient management in a busy and rapidly changing environment

Physical Demands: (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 sit and talk or hear. The employee may use repeated motions that include the arms, wrists, hands and/or fingers. The employee is occasionally required to walk, stand, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.