Physical Therapist

Job Summary 

Restore patient's function, alleviates pain, and prevents disabilities by planning and administering medically prescribed physical therapy.

Essential Functions

• Promote the mission, vision, and values of the organization
• Responsible for in-patient and out-patient care
• Meet the patient's goals and needs and provide quality care by assessing and interpreting evaluations and test results; determining physical therapy treatment plans in consultation with physicians or by prescription.
• Help patient accomplish treatment plan by administering resistive exercises; instructing, encouraging, and assisting patients in performing physical activities, such as home exercises, ambulatory functional activities, and daily-living activities and in using assistive and supportive devices, such as crutches, canes, and prostheses
• Administer physical therapy treatments by giving massages; initiating traction; applying physical agents; modalities such as moist packs, ultrasound, electrical stimulation; directing treatments given by aides, technicians, and assistants
• Evaluate effects of physical therapy treatments and fit of prosthetic and orthotic devices by observing, noting, and evaluating patient's progress; recommending adjustments and modifications
• Complete discharge planning by consulting with physicians, nurses, social workers, and other health care workers; contributing to patient care conferences
• Ensure continuation of therapeutic plan following discharge by designing home exercise programs; instructing patients, families, and caregivers in home exercise programs; recommending equipment; recommending outpatient or home health follow-up programs
• Document patient care services by charting in patient and department record
• Maintain patient confidence and protects hospital operations by keeping information confidential
• Maintain safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations
• Protect patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols
• Ensure operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; following manufacturer's instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions; calling for repairs
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies
• Develop physical therapy staff by providing information; developing and conducting in-service training programs
• Comply with federal, state, and local legal and professional requirements by studying existing and new legislation; anticipating future legislation; enforcing adherence to requirements; advising management on needed actions
• Contribute to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed 
  
• Perform other duties as assigned 
  

Professional Requirements

• Adhere to dress code, appearance is neat and clean.
• Complete annual education requirements.
• Maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
• Report to work on time and as scheduled.
• Wear identification while on duty.
• Maintain regulatory requirements, including all state, federal and local regulations.
• Represent the organization in a positive and professional manner at all times.
• Comply with all organizational policies and standards regarding ethical business practices.
• Communicate the mission, ethics and goals of the organization.
• Participate in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement activities.
• Attend regular staff meetings and in-services. 
  

Qualifications

• Must be licensed in the State of New Mexico
• Minimum two (2) years’ experience preferred
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or must be obtained within 30 days of hire 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Knowledge of physical therapy modalities and treatment protocols
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills
• Ability to determine appropriate course of action in more complex situations
• Ability to work independently, exercise creativity, be attentive to detail, and maintain a positive attitude
• Ability to manage multiple and simultaneous responsibilities and to prioritize scheduling of work
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of all medical, financial, and legal information
• Ability to complete work assignments accurately and in a timely manner
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to handle difficult situations involving patients, physicians, or others in a professional manner 
  

Physical Requirements and Environmental Conditions 

• Working regular hours including call hours and weekends as required
• Physically demanding, high-stress environment
• Exposure to blood and body fluids, communicable diseases, chemicals, radiation, and repetitive motions
• Pushing and pulling heavy objects
• Functional range of body motion including handling and lifting patients
• Position requires light to moderate work with 50 pounds maximum weight to lift and carry.
• Position requires reaching, bending, stooping, and handling objects with hands and/or fingers, talking and/or hearing, and seeing.