This position serves as a Physical Therapist and is responsible for providing physical therapy services at the Thundering Buffalo Health and Wellness Center. The purpose of physical therapy is to restore patient's function, alleviate pain, and prevent disability by administering medically prescribed physical therapy whereby the patient will derive the maximum benefits from therapeutic activities.
MAJOR DUTIES
Responsible for administering and delivering physical therapy services as prescribed or requested by the physician or other approved referring clinician.
Plans, develops, and implements comprehensive, complex treatment programs for individual patients or groups of patients to relieve pain, restore or enhance performance, and maximize ability to function as independently as possible.
Performs appropriate assessments, evaluations, and treatments involved in the prevention of physical disability, movement dysfunction, and pain resulting from injury, disease, disability, orother health-related conditions.
Such activities are designed to provide outcomes as, increasing dexterity and mobility, relieving pain, speeding recovery and aiding in physical and mental rehabilitation.
Works with patients to identify any of a variety of possible impediments, including safety hazards, access problems, and home or office design barriers.
The physical therapist will suggest modifications to the environment that will allow the patient/client to improve functioning in the home, workplace, and other settings.
Uses standard and non-standard methods for evaluation and interpretation of a wide variety of patient physical functional levels and providing progressive treatment.
Conducts ongoing evaluations of therapy results in order to assess patient progress and response.
Modifies, redirects, adjusts, and augments procedures to accommodate changes and to correct deficiencies in treatment modalities.
Consults with patients and health professionals to gain understanding of the nature of problems, assesses physical capabilities, limitations, and motivates participation in therapeutic activities.
Identifies and documents goals, anticipated progress and plans for reevaluation;
provides information to the patients as well as educating and instructing in home treatment procedures.
Applies methods and procedures that encompass standardized, non-standardized, innovative, and developmental approaches to physical therapy.
Adapts or modifies techniques and approaches in providing treatment for patients.
Makes arrangements for and coordinates several simultaneous activities in order to accomplish complex treatment objectives.
Utilizes the electronic health record system for patient encounters and completes charting in a timely manner.
KNOWLEDGE
Professional knowledge of health care principles, practices and procedures including physical and emotional assessment, establishment of physical therapy goals, construction and implementation of a physical therapy program and evaluation of the results.
Knowledge of physical therapy theory, professional medical rehabilitation and therapeutic principles or extensive clinical experience and training to develop individual treatment programs for each patient referred in the areas of physical disabilities, neuromuscular and psychosocial dysfunctions.
Knowledge of highly specialized concepts, principles and practices to assess, diagnose, and treat a broad spectrum of neuromuscular disorders of diverse complexity and etiology, often requiring tasks of considerable difficulty.
Ability to apply physical therapy methods, concepts, procedures and practices to develop short and long-term intervention plans according to the patient's condition.
Ability to communicate orally and in writing to instruct patients, family, staff, and other health care providers in treatment plans, procedures and techniques, and document physical therapy intervention.
Knowledge and skill to adapt treatment plans, requirement and motivational techniques and toimplement treatment for all types of patients.
Knowledge of medical terminology including that specific to physical therapy to accurately interpret patient's medical records, to document physical therapy intervention, and to verballycommunicate with other health care professionals.
SUPERVISORY
Works under the direction of the TBHWC Clinical Supervisor.
Duties are carried out independently.
The incumbent makes independent on site decisions and recommendations pertaining to patient care in accordance with local area guidelines/policies.
The incumbent is an independent care provider and provides skilled therapeutic treatment, which may require innovation and modification to individual patient needs.
Individual and program success is evaluated at least twice a year through established progress reporting systems using established guidelines and reporting tools.
Professional and departmental development is an individual responsibility and the incumbent is encouraged to participate actively and be proactive in the development and evaluation process.
GUIDELINES
Guidelines include departmental policies and regulations, Indian Health Services guidelines, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and professional ethics.
Traditional and currently accepted physical therapy practices are also available in the form of specialty consultation, physical therapy journals, and textbooks.
Incumbent uses judgment to modify treatment approaches and interprets various techniques applicable to specific cases or problems.
COMPLEXITY
Work involves planning and carrying out a complex range of physical therapy treatments by using a variety of therapeutic modalities.
The Physical Therapist practices within the Scope of Practice, but also performs other broad functions that include education, prevention, and coordination of care with other health care providers.
The work may be complex, requiring consultation with other health care providers and specialists.
The work requires simultaneous application of multiple knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as continued efforts to support health promotion/disease prevention programs applicable to physical therapy.
SCOPE AND EFFECT
The position provides quality Physical Therapy Services by initiating therapy, evaluating results, providing optimal health care, and conducting patient education.
PERSONAL CONTACTS
PURPOSE OF CONTACTS
The purpose of contacts is to provide and coordinate quality patient care.
Incumbent must be skillful in approaching patients to motivate or obtain desired effects.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The work requires physical exertions such as long periods of standing, walking bending, stretching, reaching and lifting of heavy items and occasionally lifting items over 50 pounds.
Maybe required to work overtime; or during the after hours.
The work requires above average agility and dexterity.
Injuries could result from physically handling patients or with working with patients that may be emotionally disoriented.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work is performed in the Thundering Buffalo Health and Wellness Center, with continued exposure to patients having a variety of illnesses and communicable diseases. Incumbent may be subjected to adverse weather and hostile patients and/or their families
MINIMAL QUALIFICATIONS
Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree
Must be licensed in the State of Montana
