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The Home Health Physical Therapist plans and administers medically prescribed physical therapy treatments for patients suffering from injuries, or muscle, nerve, joint, and bone diseases, in an effort to restore function, relieve pain, and prevent disability by performing the following duties: providing education and information to patients and caregivers; participating in required discharge planning, and completing all required documentation according to policy; and directing patient participation in selected tasks to restore, reinforce, and enhance performance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

These duties and responsibilities described below represent the general tasks performed on a daily basis; other tasks may be assigned.

+ Review physician's referral (prescription), patient's condition, and patient's medical records to determine physical therapy treatment required

+ Test and measure patient's strength, motor development, sensory perception, functional capacity, respiratory, and circulatory efficiency, recording findings to develop and/or revise treatment programs

+ For managed care patients, report to the Managed Care Liaison of the patient's initial admission assessment and plan of care to obtain preauthorization for frequency of visits based on skills needed; report patient status and progress to the Managed Care Liaison as directed for further authorization of visits

+ Perform home health aide's supervisory visits every 14 days at the patient's home when the aide is present to observe or assist in care given; in the aide's absence, assess the relationship and review care plans to determine when goals are met or to justify the need for continuation of home health aid services

+ Perform LPTA supervisory visits every 30 days or every 12 visits, whichever comes first; in the LPTA's absence, assess the relationship and review care plans to determine when goals are met or to justify the need for continuation of home health aid services

+ Supervise the Home Health Aide when there is no Registered Nurse involved in the case

+ Plan a variety of sensorimotor, educational, recreational, and social activities to provide physical therapy to patients ranging from adolescents to geriatrics

+ Teach patients the skills and techniques required for participation in physical therapy

+ Evaluate patient progress, attitudes, and behaviors on an on-going basis

+ Evaluate effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefit

+ Prepare reports summarizing patient's reactions to therapy

+ Conduct internal training programs for medical and nursing staff on physical therapy techniques and objectives

+ Initiate collaborative interactions with physicians and other hospital staff to improve patient care outcomes

+ Meet productivity expectations and positively assist department in achieving financial goals

+ Instruct the patient, and their family as necessary, in the treatment procedures to be continued at home

+ Orient, instruct, and direct work activities of assistants, aides, and students

+ Teach the patient and/or their family about the patient's care needs, disease process, and health maintenance measures

+ Complete the Start of Care Assessment within 48 hours; evaluations must be completed within 24 hours

+ Ensure that discharge summaries and OASIS are completed and in the current software system within 48 hours of known discharge

+ Ensure that the patient's medical record reflects the instructions given to patient and/or caregiver, emergency measures initiated upon admission, medication treatment regimen, and the patient/caregiver's response to plan of care

+ Ensure compliance with OSHA's bag technique and truck supplies protocol per agency policy

+ Advise the Rehabilitation Coordinator and/or the Clinical Nurse Manager of potential adverse patient situations

+ Attend required hospital-wide orientations, meetings, and in-services

+ Education and Experience

Minimum Required Education: A Doctorate in Physical Therapy from an accredited program, a Master's Degree in Physical Therapy with 5 years of experience, or a Bachelor's Degree in Physical Therapy with 10 years experience

Experience: One (1) or more years' experience as a Physical Therapist in a Home Health environment

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Applicants must hold a current license to practice Physical Therapy in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Applicants must also be certified to administer CPR for patients in restraints or seclusion.