Acute Care Physical Therapist

St. Tammany Parish Hospital•Covington, LA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

At St. Tammany Health System, delivering world-class healthcare close to home is our goal. We are committed to attracting and retaining the very best professionals for every position in our health system. The health system is nestled in the heart of Covington on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain. It is a peaceful, scenic, community-oriented area with an abundance of amenities to suit every taste. This role plans and administers medically prescribed physical therapy treatment for patients suffering from surgeries/injuries, or muscle, nerve, joint, cardiovascular, pulmonary and bone diseases, to restore function, relieve pain, prevent disability, and facilitate discharge from hospital setting. The therapist will review physician's referral and patient's condition to determine treatment, test and measure patient's strength, motor development, sensory perception, functional capacity, and respiratory and circulatory efficiency, and record findings to develop or revise treatment programs. The role also involves administering manual exercises, instructing and motivating patients, and administering treatments involving dry needling, trigger point massage, Rock Tape and electrical stimulation. Additionally, the therapist will perform MSK ultrasound examinations, evaluate treatment effects, administer traction, record treatment progress, and educate patients and families. This position also involves orienting, instructing, and directing the work of assistants, mobility techs, and students, and communicating directly with consulting Physicians, Nursing staff, and Case Managers/Social Workers.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science, Masters, or Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy from an APTA accredited institution required.
Active or temporary Physical Therapist license from the Louisiana State Board of Physical Therapy required. Temporary license holders must obtain active license within 90 days of hire.
Current BLS certifications through any International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) provided courses such as but not limited to: Ochsner Health System, American Heart Association, and American Red Cross. The ILCOR course must include a manikin check off.
Working knowledge of computer software to include, but not be limited to: word processing and spreadsheets.

Responsibilities

Plans and administers medically prescribed physical therapy treatment for patients suffering from surgeries/injuries, or muscle, nerve, joint, cardiovascular, pulmonary and bone diseases, to restore function, relieve pain, prevent disability, and facilitate discharge from hospital setting.
Reviews physician's referral (prescription) and patient's condition and medical records to determine physical therapy treatment required.
Tests and measures patient's strength, motor development, sensory perception, functional capacity, and respiratory and circulatory efficiency, and record findings to develop or revise treatment programs.
Plans and prepares written treatment program based on evaluation of patient data.
Administers manual exercises to improve and maintain function.
Instructs, motivates, and assists patient to perform various physical activities, such as non-manual exercises, ambulatory functional activities, daily living activities, and in use of assistive and supportive devices, such as crutches, canes, walkers, braces, and residual limb rigid removable dressings and prostheses.
Administers treatments involving dry needling, trigger point massage, Rock Tape and electrical stimulation when deemed necessary.
Perform MSK ultrasound examinations and provide impressions to assist in diagnosis and recommendations for further imaging.
Evaluates effects of treatment at various stages and adjusts treatments to achieve maximum benefit.
Administers traction to relieve pain, using traction equipment.
Records treatment, response, and progress in patient's chart or enters information into computer.
Educates patient and/or family in treatment procedures to be continued at home.
Orients, instructs, and directs work activities of assistants, mobility techs, and students.
Communicates directly with consulting Physicians, Nursing staff, and Case Managers/Social Workers to ensure discharge recommendations and/or barriers to discharge are identified in a timely manner.