Job Description

University of Utah Job Description

Job Summary

This position evaluates and implements physical therapy to patients with neurological, burn/wound, or musculoskeletal injuries or to patients with other acute or chronic physical disabilities through the use of physical therapy techniques, to relieve pain, restore physical functioning and facilitate independence. The incumbent may be involved in the prevention of disabilities or injury re-occurrence. This position may be required to access and administer medications within their scope of practice and according to State Law.

Qualifications

Required

• Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system. The eCredential is to be obtained within 30 days of hire.

• Current license to practice as a Physical Therapist in the State of Utah, or obtain one within 90 days of hire under the Physical Therapy Compact if switching residency to State of Utah. Must maintain current Physical Therapy Compact (multi-state) license if residency is not being changed to Utah.

This position is patient-sensitive and must fulfill all associated vaccination requirements, or be approved for an exemption, prior to the first day of work. We protect our patients, coworkers and community by requiring all patient-sensitive employees to be immunized according to CDC standards and hospital policy. Limited exemptions may be made for documented medical contraindications or religious beliefs that object to vaccinations.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Disclaimer

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Essential Functions

• Evaluates and assesses the patient's abilities and limitations.
• Establishes plan of treatment and goals based on the referral and evaluation of functional skills, joint mobility, gait, developmental reflexes, muscle strength, tone, and coordination, sensation tests, and other measures to ensure rapid patient recovery.
• Implements therapy according to the established plan, utilizing appropriate procedures, equipment and techniques within the scope of physical therapy.
• May participate in wound management through wound debridement, dressing changes, exercise, stretching and splinting.
• Recommends adaptive equipment, completes the equipment justification forms and arranges for the delivery of equipment.
• Re-evaluates patients, assesses their progress and makes recommendations regarding discharge.
• Consults and co-treats with other patient care team members to discuss patient progress, set objectives for patient treatment and integrate physical treatment with other activities.
• Educates the patient and/or caregiver about the findings of the evaluation, established goals of the physical therapy program, plan of treatment, home programs, injury prevention and other related information.
• Evaluates home or work environments and makes physical barrier modification or ergonomic recommendations.
• May assist with departmental program development and training physical therapy students.
• May provide in-services for staff, other departments and the community.
• Provides documentation of patient care according to established criteria.
• Participates in continuous quality improvement projects.
• Supervises the patient care activities of aides, assistants, attendants, students and volunteers.
• Participates in in-services, medical conferences, staff meetings, continuing education courses, team meetings and other related activities.

Problem Solving

• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined above.
• Demonstrated human relation and effective communication skills.
• Current knowledge of safety issues needed in the treatment of patients, especially regarding body substance precautions and body mechanics to protect self, patients and personnel working with therapists.
• Ability to participate in rotations of work area, weekends and week-day hours and assigned holidays.
• Ability to follow ethical guidelines outlined by the American Physical Therapy Association.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on the assigned unit.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of life span growth and development and the ability to assess data regarding the patient's status and provide care as described in the department's policies and procedures manual.

Comments

Employee must be able to meet the following requirements with or without an accommodation.

• This position involves intermediate working conditions in a healthcare setting that may exert up to 50 pounds and may consistently require lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or otherwise moving patients or objects, such as medical equipment, while providing patient care. Workers in this position may be exposed to infectious diseases and may be required to function around prisoners or behavioral health patients.

The staff member must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit.  The individual must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of life span growth and development and the ability to assess data regarding the patient's status and provide care as described in the department's policies and procedures manual.