Physical Therapist – Inpatient Rehab – Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia – Philadelphia, PA

Job Summary

Renders physical therapy services to an assigned caseload of children at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Contributes to the advancement of Physical Therapy practice through education of staff therapists, patients/families, students and other health care providers when appropriate.

Job Responsibilities

Clinical

• Examination: Able to perform a complete history and systems reviews and determine appropriate tests and measures based on findings. May need assistance/supervision with performance of appropriate tests and measures that are unfamiliar
• Evaluation: Able to synthesize information independently obtained from the examination to determine clinical diagnosis for basic, uncomplicated cases. Seeks guidance for more complex issues
• Diagnosis/Prognosis: Ability to identify impairments and its impact on function and disability and develop a plan of care that integrates therapy into the lifestyle of the family. May require assistance for complex cases.
• Intervention: Provides procedural interventions with mentorship as needed. Patient education is family centered by considering family lifestyle, environment, learning needs and collaborative goal setting. Documentation is thorough, complete, timely and reflects integration of all areas of patient care with assistance as needed. Identifies the needs for adaptive equipment and orthotic resources.
• Outcomes: Results of patient/client interaction include high level of patient/caregiver satisfaction, reduced risk for impairment, promotion of wellness, identification of internal resources. May require assistance/mentorship for resources to do this. Identifies appropriate outcome measures to assess progress and determine appropriate plan of care or transitional service.
• Demonstrates entry-level skills in PT practice and delivers evidence-based clinical care with mentorship.

Education

• Professional Development
• Maintains current skills and knowledge by identifying own learning needs, both formally and informally, to practice a lifestyle of life-long learning. Seeks opportunity for clinical growth and development within the department through mentorship.
• Attends in-services within the department and hospital as appropriate.
• Clinical Education
• Assists with student program by having observational and lab experiences with affiliating students. May act as a backup supervisor to a student on affiliation. Gains APTA credentialed CI status. May serve as a primary credentialed CI to affiliating student.
• Contributes to the continuing education endeavors within the department and hospital.
• Seeks opportunities to share knowledge via presentations, interdisciplinary rounds or participation in staff in-services.

Job Responsibilities (Continued)

Interdisciplinary Communication and Coordination of Care

• Able to make judgments within their scope of practice and level of expertise and shall communicate with, collaborate with, or refer to peers or other health care professionals when necessary.
• Demonstrate professional judgment informed by professional standards, evidence (including current literature and established best practice), practitioner experience, and patient/client values.
• Communicates with physicians, other team members, third party participants and family regarding the patient’s goals and progress. Participates in patient conferences as assigned as a member of the health care team.
• Understands roles and goals of other team members and able to makes appropriate contacts in patient care planning.
• Conveys appropriate patient coverage information when care is provided by other staff members.
• Able to identify appropriate delegation of activities to PTAs, aides, volunteers, support staff.

Research

• Demonstrate professional judgment informed by professional standards, evidence (including current literature and established best practice), practitioner experience, and patient/client values.
• Accesses appropriate resources to find information regarding policies, guidelines and protocols to promote evidence based practice.
• Applies evidence to practice
• Able to articulate evidence and rationale for treatment to patient/caregiver.
• Participate in journal club and other department research initiatives.

Administration

• Contributes to department policy/procedures via program development, evaluation forms and clinical guidelines when appropriate.
• Maintains productivity and fiscal responsibility in the utilization/provision of services.
• Actively participates in department planning meetings, and/or appropriate department initiatives.

Required Licenses, Certifications, Registrations

Physical Therapy License in State of PA

CPR Certification issued through on organization that requires a hands-on instructor lead psychomotor skills verification (ex. American Heart Association or Red Cross) within three (3) months of placement into position

Required Education and Experience

Required Education: Master’s degree in Physical Therapy required. Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy will be accepted for individuals licensed previous to December 31, 2002.

Preferred Education, Experience & Cert/Lic

Preferred Education: Doctoral of/in Physical Therapy