Physical Therapist - Full Time

It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they are doing!

Rewarding career. Competitive salary. Outstanding benefits.

A physical therapist (PT) is a health care professional that helps individuals maintain, restore, and improve movement, activity, and functioning, thereby enabling optimal performance and enhancing health, well-being, and quality of life. Their services prevent, minimize, or eliminate impairments of body functions and structures, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. PTs design individualized plans of care based on clinical judgment, best available evidence, and an individual's situation and goals. They collaborate with other health care professionals, including supervision of physical therapist assistants, to address individual needs and provide efficient and effective care across the continuum of health care settings. In addition, physical therapists provide consultation to individual clients, other health care practitioners, facilities, and organizations in assessing the need for physical therapy and the type of specific services needed for an individual.

The Whitman Hospital and Medical Clinics’ PT will be required to adhere to occupational standards enforced by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) to provide appropriate evaluation and a plan of intervention for recipients of physical therapy services. The PT will use professional, ethical, and evidence based standards to appropriately interpret referrals, conduct evaluations, diagnose, establish determinations of prognosis, and continuously assess and modify patient plans of care to facilitate optimal treatment outcomes for the betterment of their patients. Fundamental to the Standards of Ethical Conduct is the special obligation of the physical therapist to enable patients/clients to achieve greater independence, health and wellness, and enhanced quality of life.

This is a primarily outpatient position with occasional inpatient coverage.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Area of Responsibility

Duties

Clinical Practice

• Assesses the patient’s Physical Therapy needs and performs an evaluation, as required.
• Assesses the patient’s overall level of function including prior functional ability, needs upon return home, current status, and discharge planning.
• Implements appropriate use of standardized tests and objective tests and measures.
• Correlates assessment and test findings with appropriate interventions.
• Notifies physicians of changes in patient status.
• Adjusts visit frequencies to meet the needs of the patient.
• Provides the patient appropriate therapeutic interventions for the purpose of improving functional ability.
• Develops a plan of care that reflects achievable, measurable, and expected outcomes.
• Functions as a patient advocate while promoting independence in mobility and self-monitoring.
• Refers patients to other team members and/or community agencies as needed.
• Adheres to Universal Precautions and Infection Control policies and procedures.
• Adheres to technical/procedural skills.
• Uses appropriate body mechanics.
• Develops a plan of care in conjunction with the patient and/or responsible party.
• Diagnoses and manages movement dysfunction.
• Provides physical therapy in accordance to RCW 18.74, WAC 246-915, and federal regulations.  

Supervision

• Delegates and supervises select Physical Therapist functions to Physical Therapist Assistants(s) in accordance with their education, credentials, and demonstrated competence.
• Supervises PTAs regularly following regulatory requirements.
• Supervises undergraduate and PT students.
• Supervises Therapy Aide following regulatory requirements.

Documentation

• Documents according to Federal, State and National organization regulations and guidelines.
• Documentation accurately reflects subjective and objective data, evaluation of current status, interventions.
• Documentation is complete, clear, concise, and legible.
• Documentation reflects knowledge of application of reimbursement requirements.
• Documentation reflects communication with health team members, physicians, community agencies, patients, and families.
• Documentation is consistent with agency guidelines and directives regarding use of admission paperwork, progress note and other documentation forms.
• All documentation and recertification is completed in a timely manner defined by WHMC policy.
• Completes documentation within WHMC policy guidelines.

Other

• Stays abreast of changes within the industry.
• Consistently seeks out work that needs to be completed; works on ongoing projects; and assists others as needed.
• Provides weekend coverage as needed.
• Assists with answering phones, patient scheduling, departmental opening and closing procedures, and departmental cleaning.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications:

• Graduate of an accredited school of Physical Therapy, at the time of hire.
• Washington State Licensure or the ability to become licensed in Washington state.
• Certified in AHA – BLS Healthcare Provider within 30 days of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Physical Therapy experience.
• Specialty certification.

PERFORMANCE BASED COMPETENCIES

This position will require performance based competencies under the direction of the Director of Therapy Services.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position is primarily worked in a clinical environment. The position will require the ability to lift, and carry, up to 50 pounds and push or pull over 50 pounds. The position will require bending, twisting, squatting, reaching, reaching overhead, sitting and standing frequently. Occasionally the position requires climbing, kneeling and crawling. The position requires continuous finger dexterity and fine manipulation. All basic life functions such as hearing, seeing, speaking, standing and walking are required.

If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!

Pay Range:

Compensation: New hires should expect to start at the lower end of the range; actual pay offered will vary based on years of experience.

Employee Benefits:

Our benefit package includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and retirement options (403(b) & 457). Medical insurance begins on day one. Add-on compensation for hourly positions rewards additional training and education. Differentials apply for evening, night, and weekend shifts. Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual is based on hours worked and encompasses holiday, sick, and vacation time. Full time employees (80 hours per pay period) can accrue 23 8-hour PTO days per year, which increases with longevity.