PRN Physical Therapist - SHARE Military Initiative

Shepherd Center • Atlanta, GA

9d • Onsite

About The Position

Shepherd Center, with five decades of experience, provides world-class clinical care, research, and family support for people experiencing complex conditions like spinal cord and brain injuries, multi-trauma, traumatic amputations, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and pain. It is ranked by U.S. News as one of the nation's top hospitals for rehabilitation and is recognized as both Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems. Shepherd Center is the only rehabilitation facility in the nation with an on-site intensive care unit, allowing for earlier rehabilitation of complex patients. The center's culture is one of hope, humor, and hard work, fostering career growth, strong coworker relationships, leadership support, and employee longevity. Since 2007, Shepherd Center’s SHARE Military Initiative has provided evidence-based rehabilitation for military veterans, service members, and first responders struggling with traumatic brain injuries and mental health concerns. The Physical Therapist is responsible for treating assigned patients (adolescent, adult, and geriatric), determining short-term and long-term goals in conjunction with the patient, family/caregiver, and other Shepherd Center team members, and developing and implementing a comprehensive plan of care. In this active and hands-on position, the Physical Therapist greatly improves the patient experience through rehabilitation services and collaborates with others to facilitate patient recovery.

Requirements

• A degree from an accredited program in physical therapy.
• BLS required.
• Licensed to practice in the state of Georgia.
• Basic computer skills.
• Working knowledge of all treatment and therapeutic patient care devices used by physical therapy staff.
• Must display knowledge of growth, development and the ability to obtain, interpret and disseminate information in terms of age specific patient needs (adolescent, adult and geriatric).
• Demonstrates competency in time management, organization, prioritization and critical thinking by planning and organizing work assignments and prioritizing the specific needs of the patient.
• Takes responsibility for growing professionally and seek opportunities for improving skills.
• Communicates effectively using timely verbal, non-verbal and written communication.
• Willingly adapts to changing work demands and work environment.
• Demonstrates critical thinking skills and makes sound judgments to monitor and respond to patient needs or changes in condition.
• Completes orientation and initial assessment of competency successfully by determined due date.
• Completes mandatory education and annual competency assessment requirements by determined due date.

Nice To Haves

• Two (2) years recent clinical experience preferred.
• Previous experience with patients with Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury Stroke, Concussion and Vestibular Disorders.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates patient’s physical and functional status including muscular strength, motor functions, reflexes, ambulation skills and ability to perform activities of daily living.
• Observes and interviews patient, reviews medical history, and administers sensory tests, muscle tests, range-of-motion exams, and other evaluation techniques.
• Develops and implements treatment program to further patient functional skills, which is then periodically reassessed and adapted.
• Plans and delivers effective patient and family training to ensure proper patient care.
• Utilizes and orders in-house trial equipment according to need and correctly fits equipment to the patient.
• Schedules patients for specialty clinics and programs where appropriate.
• Determines and orders/recommends appropriate durable medical equipment in consultation with patient, caregivers, payer source and team members.
• Discusses evaluation, goals, and treatment with patient and family and instructs them on the exercise program and in use of equipment.
• Uses evaluation findings to determine appropriate discharge planning needs.
• Effectively participates in intra-departmental staff meetings, and intra-departmental discipline/program committee assignments.
• May participate in education programs by teaching and supervising students.
• Participates in research projects as needed.
• Prepares and maintains a record of observations and care given.
• Documents information clearly and completely utilizing correct forms/systems and in a timely manner according to Center policy.
• Performs consistent with Shepherd Center standards, clinical policies, and procedures.
• Practices proper safety techniques in accordance with Center and departmental policies and procedures.
• Responsible for the reporting of employee/patient/visitor injuries or accidents, or other safety issues to the supervisor and in the occurrence notification system.
• Actively participates in center-wide efforts that affect physical therapy practice.
• Establishes relationships with other physical therapists.
• May provide supervision and education to therapy support personnel during and outside of PT treatment sessions.
• May float to inpatient or post-acute programs to provide patient evaluation or treatment sessions as needed.
• Monitors and ensures compliance with all regulatory requirements, organizational standards, and policies and procedures related to area of responsibility.
• Identifies potential risk areas within area of responsibility and supports problem resolution process.
• Performs other duties as required/requested/assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level