PRN Physical Therapist - Saturday Coverage
About The Position
Shepherd Center is seeking a Physical Therapist to provide Saturday PRN coverage. The therapist treats adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients, collaborates with patients, families or caregivers, and other team members to set short- and long-term goals, and develops and implements comprehensive plans of care. This active, hands-on role provides rehabilitation services to support patient recovery and improve the patient experience. The Physical Therapist may work with inpatient or post-acute programs as needed. The role also includes maintaining clinical documentation, following Center policies and safety procedures, and meeting applicable regulatory and organizational requirements. Shepherd Center provides clinical care, research, and family support for people with complex conditions, including spinal cord and brain injuries, multi-trauma, traumatic amputations, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and pain.
Requirements
- Degree from an accredited physical therapy program.
- BLS certification.
- Licensed to practice in the state of Georgia.
- Basic computer skills.
- Working knowledge of treatment and therapeutic patient-care devices used by physical therapy staff.
- Knowledge of growth and development and ability to obtain, interpret, and communicate information according to the needs of adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients.
- Competence in time management, organization, prioritization, and critical thinking, including planning and organizing work and prioritizing patient needs.
- Commitment to professional growth and improving skills.
- Effective and timely verbal, non-verbal, and written communication.
- Ability to adapt to changing work demands and environments.
- Sound clinical judgment and critical-thinking skills to monitor and respond to patient needs or changes in condition.
- Successful completion of orientation and initial competency assessment by the specified due date.
- Completion of mandatory education and annual competency assessments by the specified due date.
- Ability to safely transfer and position patients, including lifting up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to perform repetitive lifting, moving, squatting, kneeling, and crawling.
Nice To Haves
- Two years of recent clinical experience is preferred.
- Previous experience with patients with spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, stroke, concussion, or vestibular disorders.
Responsibilities
- Evaluate patients’ physical and functional status, including strength, motor function, reflexes, ambulation, and activities of daily living.
- Observe and interview patients, review medical histories, and conduct sensory, muscle, range-of-motion, and other evaluations.
- Develop, implement, periodically reassess, and adapt treatment programs to advance patients’ functional skills.
- Plan and deliver patient and family training to support appropriate patient care.
- Select and order in-house trial equipment as needed and fit it correctly to patients.
- Schedule patients for specialty clinics and programs when appropriate.
- Determine and order or recommend durable medical equipment in consultation with patients, caregivers, payer sources, and team members.
- Discuss evaluations, goals, and treatment with patients and families, and instruct them in exercise programs and equipment use.
- Use evaluation findings to determine discharge-planning needs.
- Participate in staff meetings and discipline or program committee assignments.
- May teach and supervise students and participate in education programs.
- Participate in research projects as needed.
- Prepare and maintain timely, clear, complete records of observations and care using the correct forms and systems.
- Follow Shepherd Center standards, clinical policies, procedures, and safety practices; report injuries, accidents, and other safety issues through appropriate channels.
- Participate in Center-wide efforts affecting physical therapy practice and establish relationships with other physical therapists.
- May supervise and educate therapy support personnel during and outside of treatment sessions.
- May provide patient evaluations or treatment sessions in inpatient or post-acute programs as needed.
- Monitor compliance with regulatory requirements, organizational standards, and applicable policies; identify potential risks and support problem resolution.
- Perform other duties as required, requested, or assigned.
