DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: Provides physical therapy treatment to patients* in a health care facility. This is a professional position involving responsibility for evaluating, planning and providing physical therapy treatment to patients in accordance with written prescription or referral from a physician who provides medical direction. The Physical Therapist is responsible to a Senior Physical Therapist or, if there is no senior position, to the facility administrator for the operation of the department. Supervision may be exercised over the work of Physical Therapy Assistants, Physical Therapy Aides and clerical employees assigned to the service. Does related work, as required.
TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:
Evaluates the degree of function and disability of patients unless contra-indicated by his professional judgment or a doctor's admission notes;
Performs physical therapy procedures upon the written order or referral of a licensed physician;
Participates with other personnel in the formulation of patients' total care plan;
Participates in the selection of personnel in the physical therapy service, assigns their duties and provides supervision;
Develops or assists in the development of physical therapy policies and procedures;
Confers periodically with a supervising Physical Therapist and physicians regarding all facets of patient care and related activities;
Assists in the development of, instructs and participates in the facility in-service education program;
Records on patients' charts all physical therapy evaluation, re-evaluations, progress notes, consultation and discharge summaries;
Maintains program records including but not limited to the service budget and statistical reports of the frequency and types of treatment and number of patients treated.
The above examples of duties are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND/OR PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Good knowledge of the principles, techniques and practices of physical therapy; good knowledge of the operation and maintenance of apparatus and equipment used in physical therapy; good knowledge of pathological conditions and socio-economic factors affecting a patients' disabilities; working knowledge of community resources applicable to physical therapy; ability to plan and supervise the work of others; ability to get along well with others; good physical condition commensurate with the demands of the job.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Licensed and currently registered by the New York State Education Department as a Physical Therapist.
*The term "patient" should be changed to "resident" when position is used in health related facilities.
Agreed to by Municipal Service Division and State Health Department, July, 1976. Based on New York State Hospital Code.