Physical Therapist - Pediatric

GENERAL FUNCTIONS

LOUi Consulting Group, Inc., in working with its partner, SenseAbilities, is seeking professional assistance with the fulfillment of its mission to support children and their families by providing lifelong knowledge and skills with enthusiasm, passion, and creativity in the Middle Georgia area.

Physical therapy helps children learn to perform gross motor skills successfully and independently (i.e.: Running, jumping, hopping, etc.), and functional mobility skills (ambulation, stair climbing, wheelchair mobility, transfers).

Physical therapy also helps young athletes in preventing injury by addressing any muscle imbalance or weakness as well as help them to return to play after injury. A variety of treatment interventions are used including developmental activities, therapeutic exercise, balance and coordination activities, adaptive play activities, mobility training, safety and prevention programs, and activities to promote overall wellness.

DESCRIPTION

• Regularly monitoring, managing, and communicating with SenseAbilities staff regarding your schedule
• Carrying out accurate and timely documentation of all necessary records following departmental standard procedures, while ensuring compliance with insurance requirements
• Working within the policy that has to do with child protection procedures and training requirements
• Discussing evaluation results, plans for treatment, and goals with SenseAbility staff, parents, and caregivers
• Consulting with aligned healthcare providers, physicians, and other team professionals for the best treatment procedure for the child
• Developing and providing early intervention programs to help clients prevent further orthopedic issues
• Taking part in program planning and case conferencing meetings
• Organizing training programs and presentations when applicable for staff, patients, and caregivers or parents
• Providing support and advice to the child's parents and teachers (if applicable) about every angle of their care that has to do with the physical therapy needs of the child
• Adjusting communication pattern to the child's age and level of understanding (This may sometimes include no-verbal means of communication like sign language)
• Assessing the child for adaptations and use of specialized equipment when necessary
• Identifying areas of improvement in the entire procedure and helping to manage adaptive changes in ways through which services are rendered to the child
• Planning further treatment after reviewing the child's general progress
• Working closely with the child's doctors, family members, and teachers by keeping them updated on his/her progress
• Participating in multi-agency work groups to help in the development of clinical and policy changes
• Being continuously vigilant to ensure and maintain a safe environment for the child

EVALUATION / RE-EVALUATION

• Perform evaluation on patients referred for fall risk assessment, physical therapy treatment, and consultation
• Perform evaluation based on the need of each patient, specific program guideline, and recommendation from physicians and provide treatment to patients with various musculoskeletal, motor, and mobility disorders
• Therapist must complete evaluations/assessments to determine the child's strengths and weaknesses and/or to assist in program planning for children upon referral from child's primary care provider (prescription will always be obtained from doctor)
• Evaluations/assessments of each child must be based on informed clinical opinion (the integration of both quantitative and qualitative information about a child's development and need for intervention services and supports)
• The information gathered for any evaluation/assessment must be gathered through systematic observations, interviews, curriculum-based assessments, and the appropriate use of standardized assessment measures
• Therapist must provide typed evaluation/assessments within five (5) days of completion of the evaluation/assessment to SenseAbilities for each individual child/family (Therapist's signature must be on the report to be considered complete)
• Therapist must complete documentation after any therapy session using ClinicSource software and within 48-hours of the session.
• Therapist must assess the child's functional abilities, including physical, emotional, cognitive, and sensory components to evaluate the necessity of skilled occupational therapy intervention. (A patient's history, context, and goals for treatment should be considered when determining a treatment plan.)

TREATMENT

• Design home program activities for children to ensure continuation of treatment plan
• Therapist must communicate with the SenseAbilities health team through effective documentation.
• Therapist must attend (at least) two SenseAbilities sponsored activities per year. (Attendance must include 'Breakfast with Santa,' and 'Parent's Night Out'.)
• Therapist must attend all scheduled staff meetings.
• Therapist must implement the use of universal safety precautions when providing direct services with each child to assist in controlling the spread of infectious disease.

REQUIREMENTS

• Possess a Master's/Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy
• Possess an active license approved by The Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy

PREFERRED

• Possess current CPR (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association, or Advance Resuscitation Training, or Advanced Trauma Life Support, or Advanced Cardiac Life Support
• Experience with pediatric population preferred, but not required

COMPETENCIES

• Ability to effectively evaluate each patient, analyze information, and determine if the case is within the scope of a physical therapist
• Ability to make the right decision on the kind of intervention to be given to patients based on information from diagnoses and prognoses, as well as the patient's goal
• Strong ability to observe signs of distress in patients
• Strong ability to decipher and appropriately implement evidence-based research, professional literature, and continuing education materials within treatment plans
• Strong time management
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong self-initiation
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Effective verbal and written communication
• Strong computer skills
• Teamwork
• Patient-centeredness
• Dedication to compliance
• Dedication to best practice
• Listening and collaboration
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment