Physical Therapist

Are you a passionate Physical Therapist seeking a rewarding opportunity to make a significant impact on the health and well-being of a close-knit rural community? Look no further! We invite you to become an integral part of our dedicated Wellness & Therapy team at Klickitat Valley Health, nestled in the scenic beauty of Goldendale, Washington. (Where's Goldendale? Check out the video at this link!) At KVH, we pride ourselves on providing personalized and compassionate care to our community. Our rural hospital is a cornerstone of wellness, committed to fostering a supportive environment that encourages both professional growth and a strong sense of community.

Klickitat Valley Health is a rural, critical-access hospital located in scenic Goldendale, Washington, only two hours from Portland along the breathtaking Columbia River Gorge. KVH offers emergency and acute inpatient care and a full scope of ancillary services, including General Surgery, Diagnostic Imaging, Laboratory, Respiratory Therapy, PT / OT, Behavioral Health, Dental, Pain Management, Optometry, and Hospice. The hospital also owns a busy, well-established primary clinic that is located on the hospital campus. Inpatient care is managed by 24/7 Hospitalist staff. KVH employs over 300 staff.

General Summary:

The primary function of the Physical Therapist is to furnish the highest quality of physical therapy services possible, while providing the patient with a pleasant experience. The Physical Therapist (PT) is responsible for completing evaluations, developing written treatment plans, and providing ongoing treatments designed to improve the patient’s functional status in line with the overall treatment objectives. The PT recognizes that the responsibilities of this job are patient-centered, and, with that in mind, he/she will organize, supervise, and render the highest quality of care to each patient.

Instead of benefits, this casual position is eligible for a 15% differential.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Education, Training & Experience (includes licenses or certifications):

Safety Sensitive per WASB5123: No

Education:

• Must be a graduate of an accredited Physical Therapy program (approved by the Council of Medical Education and Hospitals of the AMA and APTA) leading to a Bachelor, Master’s or Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy.
• Must be currently licensed as a Physical Therapist in the state of Washington.
• Professional membership with active participation in the APTA is preferred.

Experience:

• One to three years or more clinical experience is preferred.

GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Patient rights and organization ethics
  • Ensures patient dignity and respects patient values.
  • Operates within ethical standards.
• Assessment of patients
  • Assess the patient’s physical therapy needs, problems, and strengths.
  • Obtains information related to the patient’s needs in the areas of mobility, endurance, and physical function.
  • Evaluates patient’s ambulation/gait, mobility and transfers, strength/endurance, and neurological status as appropriate.
  • Completes physical therapy assessment on each patient as part of the interdisciplinary team assessment within designated time frame.
  • Documentation and observation show the following have been assessed: history, mental status, pain, function, and additional critical areas in patient’s medical/physical status.
  • Documentation and observation show that the following areas have been addressed and documented according to department standards: deficits noted, priority of treatment, plan of care, goals in functional terms, times for goal achievement, prognosis, barriers, facilitators, and contra-indications/precautions.

• Care of Patients
  • Interprets physician referrals, and perform the initial physical therapy assessment with the treatment plan and rehabilitation goals developed.
  • Setting-up and initiate the patient’s treatment plan
  • Performs patient treatments and equipment set-up.
  • Reviews treatment progress and make appropriate changes.
  • Documents pertinent initial evaluations, progress notes, and discharge summaries.
  • Includes the patient and family in the therapy plan and activities, and instruct the family in the home program upon discharge.
  • Consults with physicians and other staff when appropriate.
  • Evaluates, plans and administers standard diagnostic and prognostic examination and treatment of muscle, nerve, joint, and functional ability, as indicated by the patient’s presenting condition and diagnosis.
  • Provides specific patient interventions based on diagnostic findings and patient’s functional status.
  • Provides specific patient intervention in the areas of ambulation, mobility, transfers, endurance, and balance.
  • Documentation and observation demonstrate the following: treatment notes reflect actual treatment and response; progress toward goals is addressed at least on a weekly basis; and progress is measured related to functional abilities.
  • Documentation and observation demonstrate the following: when patient fails to make progress toward goals, documentation addresses reasons and care is modified.
  • When a change in care plan occurs based on physician orders, a reassessment is done prior to initiation of the new treatment.
  • Participates consistently in team meetings, reporting the results of assessments, interventions, and planning for the continued treatment and discharge of patients and families.
  • Participates in treatment planning process, including discharge planning and regular evaluation and update of patient centered treatment plans.
  • Plans and conducts scheduled physical therapy group sessions/ programs, and individual sessions as needed in accordance with the treatment plan and daily priorities of patients and needs of the unit.
  • Adapts group and individual activities and goals to meet the needs of the patients.
  • Provides supervision of patients on therapeutic trips when assigned.
  • Reports to charge nurse or other appropriate staff all pertinent patient/unit observations/actions in order to ensure continuity of care.
  • Demonstrates consideration of resource management.
  • Assists with orientation of patients and families to rehab facility and program.
• Education
  • Participates in patient teaching by working directly with the patient/family and the interdisciplinary team to identify and meet education needs.
  • Provides ongoing education to patient and family as needed.
  • Develops and promotes educational and public service information programs in cooperation with the hospital and in consideration of overall marketing strategy.
• Continuum of care
  • Provides resources and support for patients before, during, and after treatment of patient.
  • Participates in discharge/aftercare planning by working with the interdisciplinary team to identify and meet patient/family needs as documented in the patient care plan.
  • Participates in and/or facilitates community meetings, activity groups, and patient education groups.
  • Participates in preparing the patient/family for discharge by providing the necessary discharge teaching to the patient and family and documenting same.
  • Participates in and conducts community and professional education programs as requested.
• Improving organizational performance
  • Communicates results and trends to supervisor.
  • Provides feedback to supervisor on ongoing basis in regard to concerns, improvements, changes, etc.
  • Identifies areas needing improvement and participates in facility Quality Improvement activities. Actively participates in comprehensive program evaluation system.
• Surveillance, prevention, and control of infection
  • Utilizes universal precautions always to prevent and control infection.
  • Completes infection control competency for department.
  • Recognizes hazards of job. Namely, exposure to communicable diseases.
• Management of the environment of care
  • Insures facility is safe and reports deficiencies to supervisor.
• Management of human resources
  • Completes all required competencies per program regulations.
  • Keeps current on CEU requirements to maintain licensure status.
  • Participates in orientation of new employees.
• Management of information
  • Ensures confidentiality of all information encountered.
  • Completes routine paperwork within the prescribed time frames and efficiently documents on appropriate forms all required, pertinent and meaningful observations and information.
• Performs other duties as assigned.