Physical Therapist

Oregon Health & Science University•Portland, OR

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Physical Therapist is a member of the Rehabilitation Services patient care team and provides physical therapy services, including exercise, gait training, patient and family education, and other physical modalities, to help patients improve strength, endurance, mobility, and flexibility and decrease pain. The therapist evaluates appropriately referred patients, establishes treatment goals and objectives, and develops and implements treatment plans. The role also includes supervising therapy interns, supporting departmental or hospital educational and research activities, and meeting hospital documentation and productivity standards. The position is based in an inpatient hospital environment and may include a weekend shift rotation. The therapist manages and prioritizes the caseload according to medical necessity, discharge plans, medical stability, and readiness to participate in rehabilitation. Responsibilities include evaluating referrals, determining rehabilitation potential, setting measurable goals, providing and documenting skilled treatment, monitoring progress, educating patients and caregivers, and coordinating recommendations with the care team. The therapist may also direct and support PTAs, aides, and volunteers, contribute to patient-care programs and outcomes in a specialty area, and provide clinical instruction and supervision to students.

Requirements

Oregon Physical Therapist Licensing Board license as a Physical Therapist, or completion of an accredited physical therapy educational program with eligibility to obtain an Oregon physical therapy license or temporary permit.
At appointment, must hold at least a temporary Oregon physical therapy permit if not yet licensed.
BLS certificate within 30 days of hire or before independent practice, whichever comes first, for positions involving in-person patient care.

Nice To Haves

Experience in an acute hospital, skilled nursing facility (SNF), or inpatient rehabilitation setting, or a related student affiliation.

Responsibilities

Prioritize patients’ care needs according to medical necessity, discharge plan, medical stability, and appropriateness to participate in rehabilitation.
Evaluate patients to determine referral appropriateness and identify rehabilitation potential.
Establish treatment goals and objectives within the scope of acute-care rehabilitation, including functional outcomes, quantitative measures, and target dates.
Develop and implement treatment plans to achieve identified goals.
Document evaluations and care in patient medical records in compliance with DNV, OHSU, Oregon Administrative Rules, and third-party payer criteria.
Enter accurate service codes and bill patient-care time accurately.
Provide timely, efficient consultation and request orders or advise the care team about activity and prevention of complications.
Perform and document skilled rehabilitation treatment, including direct treatment and caregiver, patient, and family education.
Monitor patient progress and adjust treatment plans as appropriate.
Communicate patient needs and promote carryover of strategies and precautions with nursing staff and other caregivers.
Update the care team’s recommendations regarding ongoing rehabilitation needs and plans as patient circumstances change.
Direct, support, and provide supervision as required for PTAs, aides, and volunteers.
Develop and enhance patient-care programs and outcomes in a specialty area.
Demonstrate excellent customer service, active listening, and professional communication with patients, families, and staff.
Address complaints and problems promptly and courteously, involving management when indicated.
Provide evidence-based clinical instruction and supervision for PT and PTA students.
Ensure students complete weekly goals, facilitate achievement of affiliation objectives, provide regular feedback, and complete evaluations on schedule.
Participate in supervision and training for students from other disciplines.
Supervise therapy interns and assist with educational and research activities conducted by the department or hospital.
Meet hospital documentation and productivity standards.