REGISTERED PHYSICAL THERAPIST
DUTIES
Provide skilled Physical Therapy services, on an intermittent basis, to patients, in their
homes, in accordance with physician orders.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide initial, and ongoing, comprehensive assessments of the patient’s needs,
including Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) assessments.
Assist in development, and implementation, of the interdisciplinary patient care plan,
as it pertains to Physical Therapy.
Assist the physician in evaluating patients, by applying diagnostic and prognostic
muscle, nerve, joint, and functional ability tests.
Consult, and familiarize, staff regarding the established plan.
Teach, supervise, and counsel the family, and patient, in the physical therapy
program.
Instruct patient in care and use of wheelchairs, braces, crutches, canes and
prosthetic, and orthotic devices.
Provide the equipment required to carry out the plan.
Arrange for out-patient service, for procedures that cannot be given at home.
Prepare an assessment of the patient's condition and periodic evaluations and
summaries.
Supervise Physical Therapy Assistants and home attendants, as per Agency policy.
Record, and report to the physician, the patient's reaction to treatment and /or any
changes in the patient's condition.
Communicate with the physician, at least every 30 days, or whenever changes occur,
regarding the patient’s status; obtain additional orders, if necessary.
Communicate with other team members (including Home attendants) and, when
appropriate, instruct them in certain phases of physical therapy they may use, while
working with the patient.
Write clinical/progress notes, on the date of the visit, and incorporate same, in the
patient's record, within 48 hours.
Participate in case conferences, physical therapy staff meetings, Agency activities,
and in-service programs, as necessary.
Supervise the Home attendant, every two weeks, when physical therapy is the only
professional discipline involved in the patient's care and supervise the Physical
Therapy Assistant, at least monthly.
Participate with staff, patients, and physicians in discharge planning activities and
complete a Physical Therapy Discharge Summary.
ASSIST IN THE AGENCY ADMISSION PROCESS
Obtain a medical history, particularly as it relates to the present condition.
Evaluate the patient, the patient’s significant other(s), and the home situation, to
determine what instruction will be required, what assistance will be available from the
family in caring for the patient, and what other Agency and community services will be
required.
Ensure the physician’s orders are appropriate; discuss necessary changes.
JOB CONDITIONS
The ability to drive and the ability to access patients’ homes, which may not be routinely wheelchair accessible are required.
Hearing, eyesight, and physical dexterity must be sufficient to perform a physical assessment of the patient's condition and to perform patient care.
On occasion, may be required to bend, stoop, reach, and move patient weight up to 250 pounds, lift and/or carry up to 30 pounds.
Must be able to effectively communicate in English.
QUALIFICATIONS
Successful completion of a Physical Therapist education program approved by
one of the following:
The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
Successor organizations of CAPTE
An education program, outside the United States, determined to be substantially equivalent to physical therapist entry-level education in the
United States, by a credential’s evaluation organization, approved by the American Physical Therapy Association or an organization identified in 8 CFR 212.15€ as it related to Physical Therapists; and
Passed an examination for Physical Therapist, approved by the state of Virginia, in which physical therapy services are provided.
Must be licensed, or registered, by the state of Virginia.
Must have, at least, one year of institutional/home health experience.
Must have a criminal background check.
Must have current CPR certification. Online certification is not accepted