PHYSICAL THERAPIST

MOODY NEURO REHABILITATION INSTITUTE•Galveston, TX

20d•Onsite

About The Position

The Physical Therapist uses evidence-based practice to evaluate patients and develop an Individual Program Plan (IPP) aimed at restoring function and increasing independence at home and in the community. The role provides direct physical therapy services according to the plan of care, uses sound clinical judgment to plan and evaluate treatment, and consults with referring practitioners about patient progress and treatment appropriateness. The therapist supervises and reviews documentation by physical therapy assistants and rehabilitation technicians working under the plan of care, may participate in clinical research as assigned, and may obtain certification to serve as a clinical instructor for student physical therapists. The role supports the organization’s mission, philosophy, and goals while maintaining confidentiality. The therapist reviews screenings before admission, selects assessments, identifies physical and functional problems, develops clinical impressions and realistic functional goals, and establishes treatment plans that follow department and program protocols. Treatment focuses on maintenance, endurance, community engagement, and mobility. The therapist determines treatment duration; recommends discharge plans, equipment, and outside referrals; and provides training in adaptive equipment as needed. The role also involves educating patients and families, conducting home evaluations and carryover training, referring patients for additional assessments, and completing required clinical documentation and equipment medical-necessity justifications. The Physical Therapist communicates with assistants, practitioners, case management staff, and other health professionals to coordinate care. Additional duties include maintaining therapy equipment, training new staff and providing refresher in-services, maintaining professional relationships with equipment and orthotics/prosthetics vendors, completing root cause analyses related to patient falls, and occasionally attending weekend outing events such as Camp For All. Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

Master’s degree in physical therapy; graduation from a physical therapy curriculum approved by the American Physical Therapy Association.
Current Texas license to practice physical therapy.
Current CPR and First Aid certifications.
Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with patients.
Ability to carry out the physical aspects of direct service in treatment and evaluation.
Ability to monitor patient mobility.
Ability to interpret data and recommend realistic patient goals.
Ability to lift up to 20 pounds.
Physical ability to break a patient’s fall.

Nice To Haves

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree preferred.
Experience providing direct services to adults with neurological disorders, including head injury and cerebral vascular accident.

Responsibilities

Review patient screenings before full admission to the clinical program.
Select and use appropriate assessment procedures.
Identify primary physical and functional problems and develop clinical impressions based on evaluations.
Consult with advanced clinicians or clinical specialists when appropriate.
Establish realistic functional goals and treatment plans in accordance with department and program protocols.
Administer physical therapy treatments, focusing on maintenance, endurance, community engagement, and mobility.
Determine appropriate duration of physical therapy treatment.
Provide timely discharge recommendations, including durable medical equipment (DME) and referrals to outside therapy resources, in collaboration with clinical and case management staff.
Identify and implement adaptive equipment and provide training as needed.
Consult and communicate with physical therapy assistants and assistants regarding plans of care, changes, and client goals.
Educate patients, families, and caregivers about disease processes, treatment plans, procedures, and long-term or follow-up care.
Provide home evaluations and teach families carryover skills through education and training.
Refer patients for additional assessments when appropriate.
Complete patient-care documentation, including initial and repeat evaluations, daily treatment notes, monthly IPP reports, and discharge paperwork, in accordance with program, CARF, and third-party payer requirements.
Submit equipment-need justifications or letters of medical necessity when necessary.
Communicate with referring practitioners about medical status, clinical assessments, contraindications, and collaborative treatment planning.
Act as a liaison with other health care professionals.
Maintain therapy equipment and recommend repairs or replacement to the Clinical Manager or Program Director.
Complete physical therapy competency training for new staff and provide refresher in-services and skills fairs.
Maintain professional relationships with DME, orthotics, and prosthetics vendors.
Complete root cause analyses related to patient falls.
Attend occasional weekend outing events, such as Camp For All.
Participate in clinical research as assigned by the Program Director or Clinical Manager.
Acquire certification to act as a clinical instructor for student physical therapists when appropriate.
Maintain confidentiality and uphold the organization’s mission, philosophy, and goals.
Perform other duties as assigned.