Lead Physical Therapist

Advocate Health and Hospitals Corporation•Elkin, NC

About The Position

The Lead Physical Therapist assists with administrative functions and may provide coverage when the department leader is absent. The role coordinates staffing and participates in clinical teaching, including coordinating student supervision, to help ensure patient needs are met. It may also involve providing resources to other departments and facilities. The position serves as a point of contact for patients and families, physicians, clinical staff, other professionals, and the community to coordinate schedules, treatment programs, and recommendations for post-discharge services. The Lead Physical Therapist gathers and interprets relevant information from medical records, patients, and families and documents that information. The role also reviews incident and occupational injury or illness reports and helps prepare for Medicare, TJC, and CARF reviews and accreditations. The Lead Physical Therapist assists leadership with planning and implementing treatment programs and submitting them for approval, and prepares written justifications for capital equipment purchase requests for the annual department budget. Clinical duties include evaluating patients, identifying their needs, ensuring and documenting age-specific care, monitoring progress and goals, re-evaluating patients as needed, and modifying goals and treatment as their status changes. The role ensures staff provide and document patient and family education about deficits, progress toward goals, and treatment techniques.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy, or a master's degree in Speech Language Pathology.
Applicable state license in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, or Speech Language Pathology.
Current Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider certification from the American Heart Association.
Commitment to work a half day every fifth Saturday or Sunday, in addition to the Monday–Friday schedule.

Responsibilities

Assist with management of administrative functions and cover for the department leader when needed.
Coordinate staffing and participate in clinical teaching, including coordination of student supervision.
Provide resources to other departments and facilities, as needed.
Coordinate patient schedules, treatment programs, and post-discharge service recommendations with patients, families, physicians, clinical staff, other professionals, and the community.
Gather and interpret relevant data from medical records, patients, and families, and document findings.
Review incident reports and reports of occupational injury and illness.
Prepare for Medicare, TJC, and CARF reviews and accreditations.
Assist leadership in planning and implementing new treatment programs and submit them for approval.
Prepare written justifications for capital equipment purchase requests for inclusion in the annual department budget.
Evaluate patients, identify their requirements, and ensure and document that age-specific needs are met.
Monitor patient progress and goals, re-evaluate as needed, and modify goals and treatment in response to changes in patient status.
Ensure staff provide and document patient and family education regarding deficits, progress toward goals, and treatment techniques.