Meets the patient's goals and needs and provides quality care by assessing and interpreting evaluations and test results; determining physical therapy treatment plans in consultation with physicians or by prescription.
Helps patient accomplish treatment plan and accept therapeutic devices by administering manual exercises; instructing, encouraging, and assisting patients in performing physical activities, such as nonmanual exercises, ambulatory functional activities, and daily-living activities and in using assistive and supportive devices, such as crutches, canes, and prostheses.
Administers physical therapy treatments by giving massages; initiating traction; applying physical agents; utilizing hydrotherapy tanks and whirlpool baths, moist packs, ultraviolet and infrared lamps, and ultrasound machines; directing treatments given by aides, technicians, and assistants.
Evaluates effects of physical therapy treatments and fit of prosthetic and orthotic devices by observing, noting, and evaluating patient's progress; recommending adjustments and modifications.
Completes discharge planning by consulting with physicians, nurses, social workers, and other health care workers; contributing to patient care conferences.
Assures continuation of therapeutic plan following discharge by designing home exercise programs; instructing patients, families, and caregivers in home exercise programs; recommending and/or providing assistive equipment; recommending outpatient or home health follow-up programs.
Documents patient care services by charting in patient and department records.
Maintains patient confidence and protects hospital operations by keeping information confidential.
Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.
Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols.
Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; following manufacturer's instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions; calling for repairs.
Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.
Develops physical therapy staff by providing information; developing and conducting in-service training programs.
Complies 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.
Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
Physical Therapist Skills and Qualifications:
Physiological Knowledge
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Creating a Safe
Effective Environment
Motivating Others
Legal Compliance
Quality Focus
Bedside Manner
Clinical Skills
Pain Management
Persistence
Energy Level
Physical Therapy Assistant
Physical Therapy Assistant Job Duties:
Contributes to physical therapist's effectiveness by identifying patient care issues; providing information and commentary; recommending options and courses of action; implementing physical therapy directives.
Assesses patient health by interviewing patients; performing physical examinations; obtaining, updating, and studying therapy histories.
Assesses abnormal conditions by reviewing physical therapist's interpretations of patient evaluations and test results.
Documents patient care services by charting in patient and department records.
Performs therapeutic procedures by administering manual exercises; instructing, encouraging, and assisting patients in performing physical activities, such as non-manual exercises, ambulatory functional activities, and daily-living activities; and in using supportive devices, such as crutches, canes, and prostheses.
Instructs and counsels patients by describing therapeutic regimens; giving normal growth and development information; promoting wellness and health maintenance.
Provides continuity of care by developing and implementing patient management plans.
Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations; adhering to infection-control policies and protocols.
Maintains production objectives by noting current treatment trends; monitoring actual physical therapy services rendered to production objectives.
Maintains legal and accreditation compliance by adhering to policy positions concerning federal, state, and local regulations, anticipating emerging issues.
Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
Enhances physical therapy and hospital reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.
Physical Therapy Assistant Skills and Qualifications:
