Physical Therapist

University of Utah Health•South Jordan, UT

15d

About The Position

The Physical Therapist evaluates and implements physical therapy for patients with neurological, burn or wound, musculoskeletal, or other acute or chronic physical disabilities. Using physical therapy techniques, the role aims to relieve pain, restore physical functioning, and facilitate independence. The therapist may also help prevent disability or injury recurrence and may access and administer medications within their scope of practice and in accordance with state law. University of Utah Health is a patient-focused organization dedicated to enhancing health and well-being through patient care, research, and education. The organization emphasizes collaboration, excellence, leadership, respect, compassion, innovation, responsibility, integrity, quality, and trust. The University of Utah is a Level 1 Trauma Center, and its hospitals and clinics provide comprehensive services, medical advancement, and patient care.

Requirements

Ability to perform the essential functions of the job.
Demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills.
Current knowledge of safety issues in patient treatment, including body substance precautions and body mechanics to protect the therapist, patients, and other personnel.
Ability to participate in work-area rotations, weekend and weekday hours, and assigned holidays.
Ability to follow ethical guidelines outlined by the American Physical Therapy Association.
Knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the ages of patients served on the assigned unit.
Knowledge of lifespan growth and development principles and ability to assess patient-status data and provide care according to departmental policies and procedures.
Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system, to be obtained within 30 days of hire.
Current license to practice as a Physical Therapist in Utah, or obtain one within 90 days of hire under the Physical Therapy Compact if changing residency to Utah. If residency is not changed to Utah, maintain a current Physical Therapy Compact multi-state license.
Additional license requirements may be determined by the hiring department.

Responsibilities

Evaluate and assess patients’ abilities and limitations.
Establish treatment plans and goals based on referrals and evaluations of functional skills, joint mobility, gait, developmental reflexes, muscle strength, tone, coordination, sensation, and other measures.
Implement therapy according to the established plan using appropriate procedures, equipment, and techniques within the scope of physical therapy.
Participate in wound management, which may include wound debridement, dressing changes, exercise, stretching, and splinting.
Recommend adaptive equipment, complete equipment justification forms, and arrange for equipment delivery.
Re-evaluate patients, assess progress, and make discharge recommendations.
Consult and co-treat with other patient care team members to discuss progress, set treatment objectives, and integrate physical treatment with other activities.
Educate patients and caregivers about evaluation findings, goals, treatment plans, home programs, injury prevention, and related information.
Evaluate home or work environments and recommend physical barrier modifications or ergonomic changes.
Assist with departmental program development and training physical therapy students, as needed.
Provide in-services for staff, other departments, and the community, as needed.
Document patient care according to established criteria.
Participate in continuous quality improvement projects.
Supervise patient care activities performed by aides, assistants, attendants, students, and volunteers.
Participate in in-services, medical conferences, staff meetings, continuing education courses, team meetings, and related activities.