PHYSICAL THERAPIST- Pediatrics

SEARHC is a non-profit health consortium which serves the health interests of the residents of Southeast Alaska. We see our employees as our strongest assets. It is our priority to further their development and our organization by aiding in their professional advancement.

Working at SEARHC is more than a job, it’s a fulfilling career. We offer generous benefits, including retirement, paid time off, paid parental leave, health, dental, and vision benefits, life insurance and long and short-term disability, and more.

Provides general Physical Therapy (PT) evaluations and treatments which impact patient’s functional abilities.  Oversees and directs the work of Physical Therapist Assistants and/or other designated staff members.

Salary - $41.83-$48.61/hour DOE

• Key Essential Functions and Accountabilities of the Job

  • Provides general physical therapy evaluations and treatments to a wide range of ages with widely varying diagnoses and issues
  • Provides assessment, performs evaluation, identifies therapy diagnosis, formulates therapy treatment plan with goals and implements physical therapy treatment of PT services to patients.
  • Implements, supervises and modifies a therapy plan of care based on assessment of patient response to optimize the outcome for each patient.
  • Reviews clinical records and case histories.
  • Attends care conferences, regular meetings/rounds and remains in contact with referring providers and other health care professionals to review patient’s status and individual needs within the health care team concept. 
  • Collaborates with other team members to assure appropriate medical equipment is arranged and care plan is established prior to discharge. 
  • Documents patients’ encounter findings and treatments including diagnoses, treatment plan, recommendations, and prognoses in appropriate format according to SEARHC policies.
  • Provides services in a timely manner and according to regulatory requirements. 
  • Works with in-patient and out-patient populations in various settings as assigned. 
  • Directs the work of support staff, students or interns.
  • Facilitates a healthcare partnership between providers, the patients and their families. 
  • Develops, implements, and conducts patient education and therapy programs based on patient and/or family needs.
  • Provides patients and families clear and concise home exercise programs to achieve the fullest rehabilitative potential.  Ensures that these instructions are understood by asking for feedback and return demonstration of programs by patient or caregivers
  • Advises patients and family members in methods that facilitate a capacity for self-care and independence, facilitating movement towards a healthcare partnership between providers, the patients and their families. 
  • Creates home programs that are clear and concise and ensures that these instructions are understood by asking for feedback and demonstration of programs by patient or caregivers.
  • Assists senior staff in administrative matters, clinic operations, and specialty/research areas as appropriate.
  • Utilizes the hospital computer system to obtain patient information and to keep abreast of hospital directives.  
  • Participates in the timely and efficient flow of information via email and other digital platforms as appropriate. 
  • Provides summary of results, statistics and metrics as required by management. 
  • Assists in acquisition and fit of durable medical equipment/devices based on needs of patient.
  • Communicates with supervisor and/or DME provider to measure, fit, and deliver equipment and keep stocked at appropriate levels.
  • Maintains supply stocks and clinical equipment at acceptable levels. 
  • Remains current in specific billing procedures/mechanisms (Medicare, Medicaid and third-party payers) to aid in reimbursement of services, dispensable supplies and plan of care concurrence with referring providers. 
  • Maintains cleanliness of clinical space.
  • Educates staff on PT-related issues and educates patient/family about their functional limitations regarding their injury or diagnosis, as well as how to obtain desired goals with therapeutic exercises, activities and equipment.
  • Assists in committee and management duties and represents the Rehabilitation Services Department as requested.  
  • Provides therapy consultation, presentations, and in-services to medical staff, consultants, and other interdisciplinary health care personnel and patient populations regarding therapy services as assigned. 
  • Adheres to the regulatory and practice standards of PT set by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).  
  • Follows all SEARHC confidentiality and quality assurance standards; participates in SEARHC SQM functions, utilizes SQM principles in all aspects of the job.

  Other Functions

  • Other duties as assigned

  Supervisory Responsibilities

  This position does not require supervisory responsibilities.

Education/Experience

• Entry level qualifying master’s or doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from an accredited program OR Graduate from an APTA approved program of Physical Therapy at the master's or bachelor’s level with 2 years proven work and Continuing Education experience that indicates applicant has mastered the knowledge base that would typically be taught in a Doctorate program - required
• Broad-based clinical experience in multiple settings - preferred.

License/Certification

• Licensed as a Physical Therapist.
• Current Basic Life Support certification.
• Valid Driver’s license.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of musculoskeletal physiology including active/passive range of motion, gait, strength, biomechanics and mental cognition in order to administer a variety of standardized assessments, being able to select the most appropriate test for a specific client and implement treatments accordingly.
• Knowledge of the neuro system and how to assess neuro-related issues that cause musculoskeletal changes, and how to treat them effectively, and when it is appropriate to refer to other health care providers.
• Knowledge in general medical conditions, and ability to refer patients to the appropriate provider when the limitations they present with are not musculoskeletal in nature or require further evaluation.
• Knowledge in various techniques for providing sound assessments, evaluations, treatment planning, and treatments for patients presenting with various diagnoses and functional deficits among the general population.
• Knowledge of various regulations and practice standards as they relate to PT including billing mechanisms (Medicaid, Medicare and third-party payers) that may be available for patient equipment and services.

Skills in:

• Skills to utilize, properly fit and train patients with adaptive devices.  Including but not limited to splints, braces, orthoses, seating equipment, durable medical equipment and ADL assistive device
• Skills in expressing self clearly and effectively in written and spoken communication in documentation of written reports, client progress notes, narrative summaries, as well as in training clinical and non-clinical staff; consulting with upper management, outside agencies, organizations, and subordinates; networking with other providers in the community; and proficient in public speaking.
• Demonstrates skills utilizing information technology.  Proficiency with computers including multiple software applications.  Able to interface with multiple programs.  Uses technologies such as laptops, tablets and imaging devices.

Ability to:

• Must have the ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, teachers, community members and non-PT service professionals, persons of any level of understanding. Including the ability to translate complex PT service diagnoses, evaluations, and therapies into simple oral and written language that others can understand.
• Must have the physical ability to deliver treatment techniques and assist patient mobility while keeping patients and self-safe.
• Must have the ability to exercise sound judgment in all aspects of employment such as patient care, workplace safety and employee relations. 

Computer Skills:  

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Products including Word, Excel and PowerPoint

Travel Required: 

• Up to 50% travel expected

Safety and Risk Management Responsibilities:

• Employees are responsible for complying with safe work rules; reporting all accidents and injuries immediately; cooperating in all accident and injury investigations; reporting defective equipment and unsafe conditions

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.

The employee must be able to lift and/or push/pull up to 50 lbs. alone or as part of a team.

The employee may be expected to lift patients as required.

Work Environment:

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The setting for this role will include office and healthcare settings. Exposure to controlled temperature environments, both hot and cold, is to be expected.

All procedures or other job-related tasks may involve an inherent potential for mucous membrane or skin contact with blood, body fluids or tissues, or a potential for spill or splashes of (blood or body fluids).