02/02/1999 31280

CHIEF PHYSICAL THERAPIST

DEFINITION: This is professional work in the management of the total physical therapy services in a facility for patients/individuals with a mental or physical illness and/or developmental disability, some of whom may have additional disabilities.

An employee in this class has facility-wide responsibility for the planning, management, coordination, evaluation, and integration of physical therapy services to further the overall rehabilitation and/or habilitation of patients/ individuals. The employee develops policies and procedures regulating the conduct of all physical therapy services, including contracted physical therapy services, by continuously monitoring and evaluating their effectiveness, and promotes staff improvement. Supervision is exercised over a staff of lower level Physical Therapists, Registered Physical Therapist Assistants, Adaptive Equipment Technicians or Physical Therapy Aides in the implementation of facility-wide physical therapy services. Work is performed under the general direction of a physician or another professional or administrative supervisor and is reviewed to determine quality of services and achievement of established objectives through conferences and reports.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Directs, coordinates and integrates the total physical therapy services, including contracted services, within a facility for patients/ individuals with a mental or physical illness and/or developmental disability, some of whom may have additional disabilities.

Provides overall direction to subordinate staff in the delivery of all physical therapy services; participates in providing services to implement each patient's/individual's treatment and services plan objectives; and monitors and evaluates services provided by physical therapy contracted personnel.

Develops policies and procedures governing the administration of all physical therapy services within the facility.

Interprets policies and procedures to subordinate staff and/or contracted physical therapy personnel and coordinates the delivery of all physical therapy services with other professional services and disciplines within the facility.

Supervises professional and/or non-professional staff; prepares and signs employe performance evaluations; interviews prospective employes and recommends employe selection or ranks applicants in terms of preferability of employment; approves leave, schedules work assignments, and authorizes or assigns overtime.

Reviews and evaluates the educational and training needs of subordinates; plans and conducts training; demonstrates more efficient work methods; and arranges for further education and training, as needed/required.

Plans, supervises and participates in out service and in-service training programs and the demonstration of physical therapy techniques and objectives for facility personnel, such as lower level Physical Therapists, Registered Physical Therapist Assistants, Adaptive Equipment Technician, Physical Therapy Aides, contracted physical therapy service providers and professional and non- professional staff of other disciplines.

Consults with the multi-disciplinary team on the development and conduct of physical therapy treatment programs.

Coordinates and monitors the delivery of physical therapy services within the facility and integrates physical therapy services with services provided by other clinical disciplines, in accordance with patient/individual treatment program plans.

Serves on facility administrative or policy committees.

Reviews reports of subordinates and prepares periodic reports on the total facility physical therapy services.

Submits requisitions for materials and equipment; inspects equipment and recommends repairs or replacements; and maintains inventory of equipment and supplies.

Prescribes and orders specialized wheelchairs or adaptive equipment and supplies; and directs the modification and adaptation of wheelchairs, orthotic and prosthetic devices, and other equipment, as required/needed.

Attends patient/individual treatment program evaluation conferences with interdisciplinary treatment team members, other department heads and the medical director; and provides recommendations regarding the use and/or benefits of specific physical therapy treatment methods for inclusion in the patient's/individual's comprehensive treatment program plan.

Participates in research projects undertaken by the facility.

Employees in this class may participate in the performance of their subordinates' work consistent with operational or organizational requirements. Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the modern principles, techniques, materials, and equipment used in the physical therapy care and treatment of patients/individuals.

Knowledge of the possible hazards to patients/individuals receiving physical therapy services during treatment and of necessary precautionary and the remedial measures to offset anxiety/frustration/panic/trauma.

Knowledge of sources of information and of current developments in the field of physical therapy.Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology.

Knowledge of individual and group behavior and effective ways of working with patients/ individuals with physical or mental illnesses and/or developmental disabilities, some of whom may have additional disabilities.

Knowledge of behavioral, rehabilitative and developmental principles, and the facility policies and applicable standards.

Knowledge of the nature and specifications of equipment and supplies needed for physical therapy programs, including adaptive equipment and devices and of their proper care and maintenance.

Knowledge of applicable health and safety measures.

Knowledge of the principles and methods of in-service training programs pertinent to physical therapy services, and of out-service training resources.

Ability to plan, assign, supervise, coordinate, monitor and evaluate the work of professional and non-professional facility staff, as well as physical therapy contractor personnel, as appropriate.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients/ individuals and their family members in order to secure their cooperation and/or encouragement in administration of prescribed physical therapy treatments and program services.

Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with patients/ individuals with physical or mental illnesses or developmental disabilities, some of whom may have additional disabilities.

Ability to understand, interpret and adapt a physician's prescriptions regarding physical therapy treatments and services.

Ability to make or arrange for needed adjustments and minor repairs to standard and/or adaptive physical therapy equipment and to write specifications for new equipment.

Ability to foster interest, initiative, responsibility, and independence on the part of patients/individuals and assist them in developing appropriate and cooperative behavior.

Ability to demonstrate techniques of physical therapy and instruct professional and non-professional staff in the proper techniques and methods for lifting or positioning patients/individuals, as necessary, and the application of physical therapy principles and practices to accomplish each patient's/individual's comprehensive treatment program plan objectives.

Ability to maintain or supervise the maintenance of records and reports of physical therapy treatments and services administered and patients'/individuals' response and progress in meeting their physical therapy goals and objectives.

Ability to make surveys of patients'/individuals' treatment needs, to utilize clinical and program data in planning and evaluating physical therapy services, and to adapt and implement improvements in the delivery of services.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with contracted physical therapy personnel and other professional and non- professional personnel within the facility and in the community.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: One year as a Licensed Physical Therapist;

or

Two years of experience as a professional physical therapist.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Possession of a license to practice physical therapy issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Physical Therapy.