Physical Therapist-PH Home Health Care Part-time Day Shift

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare•Lemont, IL

About The Position

The Physical Therapist at Northwestern Medicine plays a crucial role in patient care within the Home Health Care setting. This position involves evaluating patients' functional levels using diagnostic procedures, administering various therapeutic exercises (manual and non-manual), and applying physical agents for treatment. The therapist is responsible for instructing and motivating patients, evaluating home environments for safety, and fitting/adjusting prosthetic and orthotic devices. A key aspect of the role is observing, recording, and reporting patient reactions and progress to physicians, therapy coordinators, and registered nurses, while also collaborating with other health team members, caregivers, and family in the patient's treatment plan. The role requires adherence to organizational policies, ethical codes, and regulatory standards, with a focus on providing patient-first care.

Requirements

Licensed as a Physical Therapist by the State of Illinois, under the Physical Therapist Act.
Evidence of health status in accordance with agency policy.
Ability to comprehend and perform effective written and verbal communication.
Can perform tasks which necessitate the physical ability to engage in extensive lifting, bending and standing.

Nice To Haves

Previous home care experience

Responsibilities

Assists the physician in evaluating patients’ level of functioning by applying diagnostic and prognostic procedures, such as muscle, nerve, joint and functional ability tests.
Administers manual therapeutic exercises to improve or maintain muscle function, applying precise amounts of manual force and guiding patient's body parts through selective patterns and degrees of movement.
Instructs, motivates and assists patient in non-manual exercises, such as active regimens, isometric and progressive resistive, and in functional activities using available equipment and assistive and supportive devices, such as crutches, walkers, canes, orthoses and prostheses.
Administers treatment involves application of physical agents, such as heat, light, cold, water and electricity.
Administers traction and massage.
Evaluates, fits and adjusts prosthetic and orthotic devices and recommends modifications to the orthotist / prosthetist.
Evaluates the home environment for safety factors related to the patient's condition and makes appropriate recommendations.
Observes, records and reports to the physician, therapy coordinator and registered nurse, the patient's reaction to treatment, response, progress and/or any changes of the patient's condition.
Instructs and includes other health team personnel including, when appropriate, home health aides, and family members in certain phases of Physical Therapy in which they may work with the patient.
Provides written instructions for patients, caregivers, and staff as indicated.
Includes patient and family in total physical therapy program and encourages their input in the formulation of the plan of treatment.
Communicates with other members of the health care team and with the Therapy Coordinator regarding patient's progress, needs and discharge planning.
Participates in staff and team meetings, in-services, patient care conferences, QI activities and other meetings as requested.
Prepares written documentation of visits and other activities on appropriate forms inclusive of OASIS data set, at required points in time.
Maintains current knowledge regarding agency policies and procedures and adheres to same.
Demonstrates ability to care for patients with understanding of the cognitive, physical, emotional, and chronological maturation process.
Adheres to Palos Health Home Health Care policies regarding all aspects of HIPAA Privacy and Confidentiality rules, dress code and attendance.
Adheres to all Palos Health and Palos Home Health Care policies.
Performs other and related duties as directed.