Physical Therapist Per Diem - Acute Therapies - Tucson Medical Center

SUMMARY:

Evaluates records and reports on patient progress. Evaluates and treats patients within an acute care hospital. Diagnoses include patients with neurological, orthopedic, surgical, medical and complex psychosocial conditions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Administers diagnostic testing procedures to determine the extent of patient’s impairment and prognosis for improvement.

Analyzes testing and other pertinent information to create an individual treatment plan.

Gathers pertinent data from a variety of sources and develops specific goals and plans, re-evaluating and modifying plans periodically and as necessary.

Considers specific patient variables such as overall medical condition, stamina, motivation, etc. in planning treatment programs.

Chooses, fits, and trains patients in the use of appropriate assistive devices, adaptive equipment, or orthotics. 

Prepares electronic documentation as required by the profession and department, such as evaluation results, individualized treatment plans, progress reports and other such reports.

Communicates with medical and allied health personnel regarding patient’s progress, needs and discharge planning.

Documents patient care efficiently, timely, and effectively through electronic communication.

Provides instruction in therapeutic procedures to be continued by the patient, or family/caregiver.

Conducts, or participates in training medical and other personnel in therapy techniques and objectives.

Supervises physical therapy assistants, aides and students, according to department policy and professional standards; delegates treatment and treatment modalities to appropriate personnel.

Coordinates with other service areas to ensure proper patient care.

Engages with colleagues inter/intra departmentally for constant process improvement.

Adheres to TMCH organizational and department-specific safety, confidentiality, values, policies and standards.

Performs related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s Degree required.  Master’s or Doctorate degree preferred.

EXPERIENCE: Acute Therapy: One (1) to two (2) years of acute inpatient or acute rehabilitation experience, preferred.  Will consider appropriate experience acquired during student fieldwork. Will consider exceptional new graduate candidates. 

LICENSURE, OR CERTIFICATION: Licensed Physical Therapist in state of Arizona and Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR prior to employment. Fingerprint Card required in some departments.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

• Knowledge of physical therapy to optimize movement to improve the patient experience and prevent disability following disease or injury.

• Knowledge of best practices to ensure optimum patient care.

• Skill in assessing needs and limitations to better assist patients.

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.

• Ability to listen and accurately interpret others’ communication or instructions to take appropriate action.

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions and interpret abstract and concrete variables.