Physical Therapist - Home Health, On-call

Physical Therapist

The physical therapist provides home care services to Kaiser Permanente patients in community-based and facility settings. This position may provide therapy services to patients in home health, hospice, home infusion, palliative care, or other programs under the direction of the patients' physician(s) to provide quality health care outcomes and facilitate the achievement of maximum independence of the patient utilizing health care resources within Kaiser Permanente and the community. This care is provided through coordinating the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective skilled, rehabilitative, or palliative care as part of an interdisciplinary team.

Job Description

• Provides skilled physical therapy services consistent with agency policy, state practice acts, and applicable state and federal regulations as directed by the patients' physician.
• Demonstrates professional behavior supporting regional and departmental policies, procedures, goals, and values. Activities include performing initial and ongoing assessments of patient rehab potential, functional needs and abilities, activity tolerance, mobility, safety in the home environment, equipment needs, compliance with physician-ordered care (including medications), psychosocial status, need for community resources, and Continuing Care Services. Actively seeks opportunities for continued professional growth and knowledge.
• Develops and implements an individualized care plan utilizing departmental and community resources in a cost-effective manner. Skilled plan of physical therapy care includes therapeutic exercises/activities, modalities, adaptive equipment based on patient assessment and understanding of treatment risks and benefits relevant to the patient's medical condition, rehabilitation potential, and prognosis.
• Coordinates the delivery of physical therapy care with nursing, social work, aide, and therapy to Kaiser Permanente and non-Kaiser Permanente providers which results in effective utilization of resources and the timely attainment of achievable rehabilitation and/or palliative care goals. Supervises physical therapy assistants through on-site evaluation of the provision of care, conferencing, and review of their documentation according to State Practice Act and agency policy/procedure. Provides supervision of the home health aide plan of care within state/federal guidelines.
• Participates in quality and performance improvement activities within the department including, but not limited to, measurement and continuous improvement of clinical competency, regulatory compliance, outcome achievement, resource management, work team performance, and customer satisfaction.
• Performs other duties as requested.

Requirements

• One (1) year of physical therapy experience.
• Experience as an interdisciplinary team member.
• Graduation from a physical therapy program approved by the American Physical Therapy Association or the Council on Medical Education and Hospitals of the American Medical Association in collaboration with the American Physical Therapy Association.
• Bachelor of science in physical therapy or a certificate or master's degree in physical therapy.
• This job requires credentials from multiple states. Credentials from the primary work state are required before hire. Additional credentials from the secondary work state(s) are required post-hire.
• Physical Therapist License (Washington) within 6 months of hire.
• Physical Therapist License (Oregon) within 6 months of hire.
• Driver's License (in location where applicable).
• Basic Life Support required at hire.
• National Provider Identifier required at hire.

Additional Requirements

• Able to adapt quality physical therapy and rehabilitation into a patient's home setting.
• Must be able to safely assist patients with mobility and transfers in the home setting.
• Demonstrates competency in the use of physical therapy modalities and equipment in the home care setting.
• Demonstrates effective interpersonal communication.
• Able to prioritize patient needs to achieve attainable treatment goals.
• Thorough knowledge of teaching/learning principles.
• Working knowledge of interdisciplinary care coordination.
• Able to learn to operate a laptop computer to perform clinical documentation.
• Keyboarding or typing skills.
• Note: This position requires completion of a typing test.
• Note: This position requires a reliable automobile to travel to and from patient homes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of the managed care industry.
• Knowledge of Medicare regulations/requirements.
• Working knowledge of palliative care for the terminally ill patient.
• Knowledgeable of the care for the chronically ill and frail elderly.
• Excellent time management, problem-solving, and customer service skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to work autonomously and manage their caseload.
• Operational knowledge of computerized clinical documentation and office application systems including the use of laptop/notebook computers.