Proposed Schedule: 40 hours per week. Monday-Friday 8:00 am-4:30 pm.

Summary

The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is a community-based program that provides coordinated medical and social services to eligible older adults who want to continue living in their own home despite chronic care needs. The Physical Therapist under direct oversight of the Director of Operations, is an integral member of the PACE at Hudson Headwaters (PHH) team. The Physical Therapist is part of the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) and is responsible for helping restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and maintain and promote overall fitness and health. These services may be delivered by PHH therapy staff or outside contracted therapy providers when required. The Physical Therapist supervises and directs all assigned staff and monitors the quality of care and services being provided to enrolled Participants.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assess, plan, prepare and carry out individually designed programs of physical treatment to maintain, improve or restore physical functioning, alleviate pain, and prevent physical dysfunction in patients.
• Evaluate effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefit and to meet the Participant’s goals and needs.
• Administer manual exercises including instructing, encouraging and assisting Participants in performing physical activities, functional activities, gait and daily-living activities and in using assistive and all applicable supportive devices.
• Administer physical therapy treatments by utilizing physical agent modalities-moist packs/heating pads, cold packs, TENS, EMS, ultrasound machine and traction, directing treatments given by assistants.
• Direct or supervise group rehabilitation activities.
• Provide information to the Participant about the proposed intervention, its material risks and expected benefits and any reasonable alternatives.
• Document in accordance with PHH departmental guidelines and within the established time frames.
• Complete assessments as required and collaborate with the IDT team to establish an integrated individualized plan of care.
• Design home exercise programs, recommending and/or providing assistive equipment, instructing Participants, families, and caregivers in-home exercise programs that, if followed, will assure continuation of therapeutic plan following discharge from therapy.
• Provide oversight and supervision for the Physical Therapy Assistants (PTAs) by providing information, guidance, training and conducting in-service training programs.
• Maintain safe and clean working environment by complying with program policies and procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Protect Participants and staff by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols.
• Ability to interact professionally and respectfully with Participants including those with cognitive decline and/or physical frailties.
• Observe each Participant for any change in physical, mental, emotional, and social functioning and report such changes to IDT members.
• Provide appropriate Participant and family/caregiver education and teaching.
• Communicate effectively with clinical staff and contracted partners.
• Provide support and education to all staff members regarding active plan of care and treatments.
• Coordinate and/or attend appropriate trainings that support assigned program, clinic, or service.
• Provide educational in-services to staff as necessary.
• Other projects and duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability to perform the essential functions:
• Graduate of an approved Physical Therapy program with a Bachelor of Science, Master’s degree or Clinical Doctorate of Physical Therapy Degree
• Current New York State Physical Therapy license and registration
• Have 1 year of experience working with a frail or elderly population or be willing to receive appropriate training upon hire
• 2+ years of supervisory experience with demonstrated ability to mentor and develop team members preferred
• Must have a valid driver’s license
• Current BLS certification or willing to complete certification
• Ability to work within a clinical team with initiative, imagination, resourcefulness, and flexibility
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Excellent time-management skills and ability to prioritize deadlines, delegate, and make decisions
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and to maintain working relationships and team building internally and with outside partners
• Knowledge and understanding of team-based care approach to foster the implementation of IDT
• Must thrive in team environment
• Strong ability to manage workgroups and committees for productive outcomes
• Proficient computer competencies including Microsoft application, including the ability to navigate Electronic Health Record platforms
• Must be able to work independently as well as collaborate and communicate effectively with colleagues, supervisors, service delivery partners, other health care professionals and co-workers to build and maintain effective dynamic professional team relationships