02/01/1999 31320

LICENSED PHYSICAL THERAPIST

DEFINITION: This is professional work in the field of physical therapy at a Commonwealth 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 administers medically prescribed physical therapy treatments to patients/individuals with physical disabilities, injuries, and diseases by the application of a wide variety of accepted treatment modalities of therapeutic and rehabilitative value, such as heat, light, water, electricity, massage, therapeutic exercise, diagnostic testing, orthotic and prosthetic training and supportive therapy. In a Commonwealth facility for patients/ individuals with a mental or physical illness and/or developmental disability, some of whom may have additional disabilities, employes provide a variety of direct services to patients/individuals and/or monitor and evaluate physical therapy services being provided by contractor personnel. Employees may assist a Chief Physical Therapist in providing, directing, coordinating and monitoring the various and intensive physical therapy treatment and rehabilitative services, and in the treatment planning, implementation, and evaluation process. Supervision may be exercised over Physical Therapy Aides, Registered Physical Therapist Assistants, Adaptive Equipment Technicians, students, volunteers and lower level therapists. A considerable degree of initiative and independent judgment is exercised in planning, organizing, and administering physical therapy treatment programs, evaluating their effectiveness, and interpreting patients'/individuals' reaction and progress to physical therapy treatments and services received. Work is performed under the general supervision of a higher level licensed therapist, physician or other professional staff and is reviewed for quality and achievement of prescribed treatments and physical therapy goals for each assigned patient/individual through conferences, reports and observation of patients'/individuals' progress and response to treatments and services provided.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Administers medically prescribed treatments to patients/ individuals by the application of accepted physical therapy treatment modalities such as massage, therapeutic exercises, mechanical devices such as adaptive equipment and devices, parallel bars or walking ramps, hydrotherapy, heat therapy, and electric therapy.

Assists the Chief Physical Therapist in physical therapy treatment planning, supervision, monitoring and evaluation, and participates in the physical therapy discipline program planning and administration.

Arranges and coordinates the scheduling of patients/individuals and subordinate staff for physical therapy program services and treatments, as appropriate.

Supervises Physical Therapy Aides, Registered Physical Therapist Assistants, Adaptive Equipment Technicians and physical therapy students engaged in the administration of prescribed physical therapy treatments and/or assistive and therapeutic adaptive equipment and/or devices for patients/individuals with a mental or physical injury or illness and/or developmental disability, some of whom may have additional disabilities.

Performs diagnostic tests and evaluations on referred patients/individuals to determine nature and extent of disabilities, to develop appropriate physical therapy treatment and services plans, and to review patient/individual progress and response to treatments and services provided.

Demonstrates techniques and teaches objectives of the physical therapy discipline to facility staff, contracted physical therapy services personnel and lower level Physical Therapists, Registered Physical Therapist Assistants, Physical Therapy Aides, Adaptive Equipment Technicians and professional and non- professional staff of other disciplines or operators of nursing homes.

Provides training to staff and patients/individuals with a physical disability in activities of daily living, e.g., feeding skills, self-care skills, etc., including the use of orthotic, prosthetic, or assistive equipment such as adaptive equipment, wheelchairs, crutches, braces, and other mechanical devices; and demonstrates and teaches proper lifting and positioning techniques for the safety and comfort of patients/individuals.

Checks orthotic, prosthetic and assistive devices for proper fit and repairs, and and/or plans and secures necessary modifications.

Interprets responses/reactions of patients/individuals to physical therapy treatments and services and adjusts the length and intensity of the treatment to the needs of each assigned patient/individual.

Maintains a record of physical therapy program services provided for each patient/ individual, including a description of physical therapy treatments and services given; and an evaluation of the patient's/individual's progress in meeting their individual physical therapy program goals and objectives.

Maintains equipment in proper working condition and requests repairs, as necessary.

Attends and participates in multi-disciplinary treatment team meetings; and provides appropriate recommendations regarding the use or benefit of specific physical therapy treatment methods for inclusion in the individual patient/individual treatment program plan.

Participates in in- and out-service training programs to keep abreast of theory, techniques, technology and treatment methods in the field of physical therapy.

Makes home visits and instructs persons responsible for home care of patients/individuals with a disability; checks orthotic, prosthetic, and assistive appliances for proper fit and repairs, and plans modifications and improvisations, as needed.

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 discipline programs.

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

Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology.

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

Skill in assessing patient/individual functioning level, strengths, needs, and the progress of patients/individuals relative to physical therapy treatment programs and services.

Skill in observing and evaluating patient/individual behavior, and in adapting physical therapy treatments, devices, equipment and services to meet each assigned patient's/individual's needs. Ability to determine the proper length and intensity of individual physical therapy treatments.

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

Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with contracted physical therapy personnel providing services for those with physical or mental illnesses or injuries and/or developmental disabilities, some of whom may have additional disabilities.

Ability to understand, interpret and adapt a physician's prescriptions regarding physical therapy programs, treatments and services for each assigned patient/individual.

Ability to make adjustments and minor repairs to standard physical therapy equipment and adaptive equipment and devices; and to plan and obtain necessary modifications, where required/needed. Ability to maintain records and reports of physical therapy treatments and services administered to each patient/individual.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the medical and direct care staff of the facility.

Ability to supervise physical therapy students, Aides, Adaptive Equipment Technicians and Registered Physical Therapist Assistants, as required.

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

Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.

Ability to instruct other professional and non-professional staff in physical therapy principles and practices, and the techniques and methods of lifting and/or positioning patients/individuals, as necessary.

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