Physical Therapist Home Care Dimensions Corpus Christi

For those who want to invent the future of health care, here’s your opportunity. We’re going beyond basic care to health programs integrated across the entire continuum of care. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

The Physical Therapist (PT) contracted or employed through the Organization is responsible for implementation of standards of care for physical therapy services and for adherence to all conditions outlined in the Personnel Services Agreement. The PT plans and administers medically prescribed physical therapy for patients suffering from injuries or muscle, nerve, joint and bone diseases, to restore function, relieve pain, and to prevent disability.  The PT ensures quality and safe delivery of care in compliance with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and policies.

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Provide physical therapy services to patient according to a written physician’s Plan of Care.  This may include, but will not be limited to:
  • Assessing and evaluating therapeutic/rehabilitative/functional status, participation in the development of the total plan of care and evaluates home environment
  • Assesses for muscle strength, mobility, gait, and range of motion – potential for rehab
  • Directing physical therapy treatment
  • Instructing patients and/or families/caregivers in the use and care of therapeutic appliances and assistive devices
  • Determining priority needs for physical therapy
  • Reports patient’s reaction to treatment or changes in condition to physician
• Initiates physical therapy program and instructs other personnel and/or family caregiver members in certain phases of physical therapy with which they may work with a patient, as well as instructing them as to the goals of the physical therapy program for the patient by participating in case conferences
• Prepares and submits clinical and progress summaries based on the attainment of goals
• Participates in discharge planning for patient
• Provide in-service education related to Physical Therapy to Agency personnel as needed
• Participates in peer consultation process
• Supervises Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) according to Agency policy and state regulations every 30 days.  Responsible for the overall performance, coordination and evaluation of the PTA work
• Treats and re-evaluates patients, at a minimum, every 30 days
• Maintains contact/communication with other personnel involved in the patient’s care to promote coordinated, efficient care
• Maintains a productivity standard of 25-30 units per week
• Maintain clinical competency in physical therapy practice and theory including maintaining required continuing education as specified by state licensing board
• Performs care management duties on patient whose primary skilled service is physical therapy to include: SOC documentation, preparing written Plan of Care for the Certified Home Health Aide if applicable, notifying the physician of changes in the patient’s condition or progress toward goals, reassessing the patient for recertification, supervision of the home health aide, attending and documenting case conferences, initiating coordination of care by reporting significant findings to others on the healthcare team, and planning for, notification of and documenting the discharge of the patient
• Adheres to the Agency’s Standard Operating Procedures as it relates to the submission of documentation
• Evaluates, fits, adjusts and trains patients in use and care of orthopedic braces, prostheses and supportive devices such as crutches, canes, walkers and wheelchairs
• Performs medication management in compliance with TBPTE regulations, consistent with the APTA position statement on the role of PTs in medication management, commensurate with knowledge, experience, competency,  and skills validation
• Advises and consults with patients and caregivers
• Recognizes and reports life threatening situations and responds appropriately
• Exhibits professionalism and is courteous with all patients, physicians and co-workers
• Demonstrates knowledge and observance of the Patient’s Bill of Rights and Notice of Privacy Practices
• Follows all infection control standard precautions and safety guidelines/standards as per agency policy
• Participates in educational programs and all required in-service programs to maintain comprehensive home care knowledge base, as assigned by supervisor
• Complies with all Homecare Dimensions, Inc. Agency’s policies and procedures.  Promotes and maintains an agency environment that is in compliance with federal, state, and local regulatory agencies.  Participates in the agency’s endeavors for accreditation, licensing and professional recognition according to state, federal and/or CHAP’s requirements.  Participates in the Performance Improvement Program activities of the Agency’s and periodic review of clinical records, as assigned.

Communication

• Communicates with the physician regarding patient needs and reports any changes in patient condition; obtains/receives physician’s orders as required
• Communicates with community health related personnel to coordinate the Plan of Care
• Coordinates services and schedules with the Clinical Team Manager (CTM) and Clinical Team Coordinator (CTC/Scheduler) to include recommendations for additional home health care services for patients within 1 business day of identifying need
• Documents all communications with the patient, family, physician, other disciplines, and appropriate others as indicated on communication notes 

Additional Duties

• Ensures arrangements for equipment and other necessary items and services are available
• Maintains a daily patient case load and point of care documentation levels as per Agency standards
• Demonstrates personal responsibility with regard to attendance and punctuality
• Maintains privacy and confidentiality with regard to all patient, staff and Agency information
• Demonstrates flexibility, enthusiasm and willingness to cooperate while working with others or in place of others, as necessary
• Expresses verbal and written communication in a clear, positive and collaborative manner
• Ensures that time off is entered in the timecard timely
• Promotes the Agency’s image by adhering to the Agency Dress Code
• At a minimum, performs quarterly chart audits discipline specific
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

This job description is not intended, and should not be construed to be, an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with the job. It is intended, however, to be an accurate reflection of those principal job elements essential for making decisions related to job performance, employee development and compensation. As such, the incumbent may perform other duties and responsibilities as required.

You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in. 

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelors, Masters, or Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy approved by an accredited organization
• Possess an active unrestricted State of Texas license to practice as a Physical Therapist
• Must possess a valid Texas driver’s license and maintain personal auto insurance coverage in accordance with organization requirements
• Must have and maintain current CPR certification
• Demonstrates thorough knowledge of current Physical Therapy professional standards of care, and state and federal regulations
• Demonstrate excellent observation, verbal and written communication and organization skills
• Ability to define problem, collect data, establish facts, interpret an extensive variety of technical, medical, regulatory instruction and deal with numerous issues to draw a valid conclusion
• Must be able to endure prolonged or considerable walking or standing; lift position or transfer patients in a proximate location; lift supplies and equipment; perform reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling or crouching.  Visual acuity and hearing, functional or corrected, to perform required job duties
• Ability to comply with accepted professional standards and practices
• Basic computer skills to include Microsoft Word, Outlook and Other email systems
• Must be able to prioritize and communicate objectives clearly
• Experience working with an EMR application
• Ability to interact productively with individuals and with multidisciplinary teams

Experience: New graduates welcome to apply. 

Work Environment (patient’s home):

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• May work in patient homes under varying conditions with possible exposure to fumes, odors, pets, insects, rodents, blood, body fluids and infectious diseases; some exposures to inclement weather; rotating call and emergency call.  Occasionally may work with abusive, combative or psychologically disturbed patient/families. Requires ability to handle stress situations with calmness and courtesy at all times.

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone–of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income–deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes — an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: OptumCare is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employers and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

OptumCare is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.