Physical Therapist

Northern Light Home Care and Hospice

Department: Home Health - Waterville

Position is located: Northern Light Home Care and Hospice Waterville

Work Type: PRN

Work Schedule: Variable

Summary :

The Physical Therapist is responsible for exercising independent judgment in directing and supervising the provision of physical therapy services to a designated group of patients in their homes, with accountability if such care is not rendered correctly or appropriately by those whom he/she directs and supervises. The Physical Therapist assesses, plans, implements, evaluates, and exercises independent judgment in coordinating the home care course of treatment and assigning significant overall duties to subordinate personnel. The Physical Therapist implements a specific treatment plan to limit physical disability, bodily malfunction, and pain from injury and/or disease. The Physical Therapist confers and collaborates with physicians, patients, and family as well as the multidisciplinary team, using evidence-based practice to achieve optimal results and improvement during implementation of the home care treatment plan. The Physical Therapist responsibly directs and supervises Physical Therapist Assistants, PT students and Home Health Aides. The Physical Therapist adheres to the State of Maine Physical Therapist Practice Act as well as the Northern Light Health Standards of Care/Practice, policies, and procedures. The incumbent acts in accordance with the physical therapy core values and code of ethics as set forth by the American Physical Therapy Association.

Responsibilities:

• Plans, prepares, or carries out individually designed programs of treatment to maintain, improve, or restore physical functioning, alleviate pain, or prevent physical dysfunction in patients.
• Performs and documents an initial exam, evaluating data to identify problems and determine a therapy diagnosis prior to intervention while identifying and documenting goals, anticipated progress and plans for reevaluation.
• Evaluates effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefit.
• Performs complete, accurate and timely documentation including billing within the electronic medical record.
• Maintains and exhibits a current knowledge of profession and participates in continuing education.
• Recommend changes in patients' work or living environments, consistent with their needs and capabilities.
• Maintains a safe environment complying with NLH policies and procedures; reports and directly addresses environmental hazards and violations of patient safety policy and/or protocol when involved or observed.
• Provides clinical supervision for home health aides, students, and graduate PT/PTA.
• Attends appropriate team meetings and communicates/collaborates with other team members, individuals, family members or caregivers.
• Terminates treatment when maximal benefits have been attained as well as developing appropriate discharge plans.
• Other Duties as assigned.

Other Information :

• Current licensure to practice as a Physical Therapist in the State of Maine
• BLS for Healthcare Providers certification is required to be obtained prior to independent visits.
• Valid driver's license with reliable transportation and agency required auto liability insurance. Must be able to drive within assigned region as directed.

Competencies and Skills

• Achieves Results: Sets high standards for their own outcomes and seizes opportunities to engage others towards objectives. Consistently moves forward with direct actions in order to attain or exceed objectives. Manages their own time effectively to accomplish assigned tasks. Successfully prioritizes multiple projects and duties as needed.
• Arithmetic
• Basic Life Support
• Demonstrates Adaptability: Learns quickly when facing a new problem or unfamiliar task; is flexible in their approach with changing priorities and ambiguity. Manages change effectively and does not give up during adversity. Capable of changing one's behavioral style and/or views in order to attain a goal. Absorbs new information readily and puts it into practice effectively.
• Demonstrates Emotional Intelligence: Exhibits a high level of self-awareness, self-management, other awareness and relationship management. Conducts themselves in an empathic, appropriate way, with a sense of humor and stimulates a collaborative work environment. Is respectful of the attitudes, feelings, or circumstances of others and aware of the influence of their own behavior on them. Is aware of relevant social, political, system, and professional trends and developments and uses this information for the organization's benefit.
• Effectively Communicates: Listens, speaks and writes appropriately, using clear language. Communication methods are fitting to the message(s), audience, and situation and follow-ups are regular and timely. Shows that important (non-) verbal information is absorbed and understood and asks further questions to clarify when necessary. Expresses ideas and views clearly to others and has ability to adjust use of language to the audiences' level.
• Exercises Sound Judgment & Decision Making: Understands and processes complex information, which allows for appropriate and accountable conclusions. Does not react too quickly or slowly. Balances facts, goals, and potential approaches taking the appropriate criteria into