Director of Rehabilitation (PT/PTA/OT/COTA/SLP) - Austin Retirement and Nursing Center

Position Purpose:

Leads, guides and directs the delivery of rehabilitative services in the facility in accordance with local, state and federal regulations, standards and established facility policies and procedures to provide appropriate care and services to residents.

Required Qualifications:

The Rehab Director must possess:

v  A valid, unrestricted license in his/her therapy discipline in the state.

v  Meet educational requirements of his/her licensure requirements.

v  Valid driver’s license in the state of employment.

v  Must have at least three (3) years of experience in a supervisory role in a hospital, nursing home, or other related health care facility.

v  Knowledgeable of skilled nursing home regulations, procedures, laws, regulations and guidelines pertaining to long-term care.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Plans, develops, organizes, implements, evaluates and directs the overall operation of the rehabilitation department as well as its programs and activities, in accordance with current state and federal laws and regulations; and respective practice act(s) in the state.

Plans, develops, organizes, implements, evaluates, and directs the execution of rehabilitation services ensuring such services are provided in accordance with physician’s orders and American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) in accordance with guidelines issued by the governing body and its respective affiliate state chapter.

Identifies, in conjunction with the Director of Nursing and Administrator, the facility’s key performance rehabilitation indicators.  Establishes an ongoing system to monitor these key indicators such as the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement process in the rehabilitation department.  

Evaluates key performance indicator outcomes in the rehabilitation department with treating therapists and relevant department leaders to determine the need for action such as re-education or revisions related to the facility’s outcomes, regulatory compliance, practice act(s) and/or customer satisfaction.

Develops and implements processes and systems to effectively lead, guide and direct the delivery of rehabilitation services including but not limited to processes for the timely screening, evaluation, treatment, discharge and all associated documentation requirements for residents in the facility.

Ensures that all therapists are appropriately documenting, billing and coding for residents receiving therapy.

Ensures resident information needed for the resident assessment instrument is provided such as functional abilities and goals, functional status, range of motion, balance during transitions and walking, therapy minutes and distinct calendar days, etc. during the defined observation period(s). 

Participates as a qualified clinician for the interdisciplinary determination of the resident’s usual performance in a functional assessment as required by facility policy (RAI User’s Manual) for Part A, Medicare Advantage residents upon admission, interim and at time of discharge, (determined according to the therapy discipline of the Rehabilitation Director).

Provides and reviews all therapy documentation for accuracy, timeliness and thoroughness in conjunction with facility payment audits according to the criteria established in the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 8.

Develops and implements processes and systems to ensure therapy equipment is stored, used and sanitized, disinfected and/or cleaned properly and safely in the facility.

Serves as the facility’s rehabilitation representative and spokesperson to the public as well as in the professional arenas.  In so doing, must periodically successfully deliver a confident, concise, message on a variety of topics that is understood by a wide range of persons with diverse backgrounds and levels of education.

Leads and coordinates daily, weekly, and/or monthly rehabilitative and interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss residents’ therapy progression in relation to discharge planning for residents receiving therapy services.

Ensures that all therapists adhere to the state practice guidelines in his/her discipline as defined by the State of Texas Practice Act(s).  Also ensures all therapists maintain appropriate conduct and follow practice guidelines as defined by their professional association.                      

Ensures each therapist knows how to access the state practice act and their professional association standards. 

Develops and maintains positive relationships with residents, employees, and family members through scheduled, deliberate positive interactions with them using face to face, phone, or other means of communication.

Evaluates work performance of therapists in the department and maintains accountability in concert with applicable standards of practice, by-laws, and code of conduct for each therapy discipline.

Facilitates, serves, attends or participates in various committees of the facility as necessary.

Knows and understands the purpose and requirements for scope of work and supervision requirements as defined by the (physical, occupational, speech-language pathology and audiology) therapy practice act in each state.

Ensures delivery of compassionate quality care and services across the rehabilitation spectrum as evidenced by adequate, and competent therapy staff, department turnover, general cleanliness of therapy gyms/offices, and optimal resident functioning and satisfaction with rehabilitation services provided.  

Identifies and collaborates with members of the interdisciplinary team, physicians, consultants, and community agencies to identify opportunities for enhanced services to the residents and/or resolve issues.

Recruits talented, qualified therapists in conjunction with Human Resources to fill positions as a key factor in building and maintaining a strong and capable rehabilitation team.

Knows employees in the rehabilitation department and across all departments by name in order to effectively communicate and meet resident needs as well as the maintenance, environmental, and miscellaneous related needs of the rehabilitation department.

Promotes teamwork, mutual respect, and effective communication.  Promotes positivity and active daily problem solving.

Leads budget development bi-annually.

Makes written and oral reports/recommendations to the administrator concerning the operation of the rehabilitation department.

Leads, guides and directs the rehab department’s readiness related to health inspection surveys, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) surveys, and any other regulatory entity or requirement.

Reads and stays informed regarding regulatory, scope of work and supervision requirements as defined by the therapy practice act(s), business practices and other changes influencing rehabilitation outcomes.

Promotes safe work practices, safety rules, and accident prevention procedures to prevent resident/employee injury and illness.