Job Description

Organizes and conducts medically prescribed physical therapy programs to restore function, prevents disability following disease, injury or loss of a body part, and helps patients reach maximum performance levels. The Physical Therapy Clinical Specialist serves as a mentor to staff Physical Therapists and as a clinical instructor for the department.

1. Patient Care
   1. Evaluates patient functioning and abilities in order to design effective treatment plans that maximize patient care quality. Maintains high quality and accurate documentation on patient progress and goals and develops appointment schedules in a manner that maximizes the positive therapeutic impact for the patient.
   2. Treats patients from a holistic perspective by assessing patient needs, designing effective treatment programs, and intervening to promote increased independence in daily living skills. Provides compassionate and caring therapy directed toward improving cognitive, psychological, sensorimotor, developmental, and perceptual functioning.
   3. Directs and aides patients in active and passive exercises, muscle re-education, gait, and functional training using exercises, weights, steps, and inclined surfaces.
   4. Instructs patients on therapeutic procedures to be continued following release from physician's supervision in an effort to prevent regression of patient's physical condition.
   5. Adapts conventional physical therapy techniques to meet the needs of patients unable to comprehend verbal commands or voluntarily carry out a regime of therapeutic exercises.
   6. Gives whirlpool and contrast, applies modalities and topical medications, and performs sterile debridement and dressing techniques as per doctor's order.
2. Quality
   1. Observes and adheres to all departmental and hospital policies and procedures, and follows all safety, quality assurance, and infection control standards.
   2. Observes and adheres to quality standards established by the department. Participates in continuous quality improvement programs in order to foster the provision of quality health care services by the department and hospital and ensures that all services are provided with compassion, understanding, and respect for others.
   3. Provides suggestions for program development and offers evaluations of existing programs in an effort to increase program performance and identify ways to improve the quality and efficiency of health care service delivery.
   4. Utilizes all equipment, supplies, facilities, and resources in a prudent and efficient manner in order to ensure efficient departmental operations and the provision of high quality health care services.
   5. Promotes the quality and efficiency of his/her own performance by remaining current with the latest trends in field of expertise through participation in job-relevant seminars and workshops, attendance at professional conferences, and affiliations with national and state professional organizations.
3. Collaboration and Partnership
   1. Communicates with patient and family members in a caring and compassionate manner on issues regarding patient progress and problems, available home programs, and the therapeutic process.
   2. Monitors patient progress during therapy, records relevant information regarding therapy, and maintains frequent communications with rehabilitation team members in order to ensure that treatment plans are effective and appropriate. Attends weekly team conferences in order to actively participate in discharge planning.
   3. Supervises interns and employees involved in clinical fellowship programs and provides high quality assistance and guidance during the learning process.
   4. Assists in providing quality training and orientation for assigned employees. Treats all employees with compassion, understanding, and respect, and strives to enhance performance through cooperative effort and action.
   5. Conducts and participates in physical therapy educational programs and training sessions in an effort to share own expertise with others and further the quality of education and personal growth provided to physical medicine and rehabilitation personnel.
4. Other Duties As Assigned
   1. Performs other duties as assigned or requested.

Experience, Education, Training, Special Skills, and Licensure :

• 3 years experience as a Physical Therapist
• Bachelor's Degree
• State Licensed Physical Therapist

Our Lady of the Lake is uniquely capable of caring for a full range of illness or injury, including those that are extremely complex, for both pediatric and adult patients. Our family of services includes:

• An 988-bed hospital and the area’s only Level II Trauma Center
• A freestanding Children's Hospital
• A 545-provider care network covering more than 40 specialties
• Two free-standing emergency rooms—Our Lady of the Lake Livingston and Our Lady of the Lake North
• A network of nearly 15 urgent care clinics
• Outpatient imaging and surgery centers
• Assumption Community Hospital
• Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
• Our Lady of the Lake Ascension, a 78-bed, community hospital providing emergency, inpatient, outpatient, and surgical services to Ascension Parish and surrounding areas

We serve 38,000 inpatients and 820,000 outpatients annually and are committed to building a healthy community through excellence in patient care and education. A part of FMOL Health, Our Lady of the Lake is consistently awarded for compassionate care, clinical expertise, leading edge technology and innovation.