Functions primarily in planning, providing, and evaluating skilled physical therapy care. The Physical Therapist works under the physician's direction, using initiative to implement the plan and utilize all available resources.

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Duties

• Assists the physician in the evaluation, diagnosis, and prognosis of the patient by applying muscle, nerve, joint, and functional ability testing. Develops the physical therapy treatment plan based on these results and revise it as necessary.
• Treats patients to relieve pain, and develop or restore function to optimal ability, using physical means, such as exercise, massage, heat, cold, water, light, and electricity, for example:
• Directs and aids patients in active and passive exercises, muscle re-education, progressive gait training, activities of daily living, transfer activities, functional training, and prosthetic training.
• Make use of equipment such as iontophoresis, TENS, electrical stimulation machines, paraffin bath, and ultrasonic machines.
• Gives contrast baths and applies moist heat packs, and cold packs.
• Arranges for the provision of an outpatient basis for services that cannot be given in the patient's home which involve the use of equipment that cannot be made readily available in the patient's home.
• Observes records and report to the physician the patient's reaction to treatment and any changes in the patient's condition. Consults Home Health RN or Director as necessary for other health problems when seeing Home Health patients.
• Assists the physician in developing the plan of care for the patient. Re-evaluates the patient's needs and review the care plan at least once per month in conference with the nursing staff and other disciplines as appropriate.
• Instructs patients in the care and use of wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, canes, and prosthetic and orthotic devices.
• Informs family on patient's therapy program when applicable.

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Qualifications & Experience

• Graduate from a Physical Therapist Educational program with a Master’s or Doctoral degree. (Before approximately the 1990s, one graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy)
• A license from the Oregon Physical Therapist Licensing Board is required biennially.
• A Physical Therapist in Oregon is required to complete 24 hours of continuing education every two years.
• Current CPR certification is required.

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Position Specific Competencies

Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of the principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing the performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Service Orientation — Actively looking for ways to help people.

Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Originality — The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.

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Work Environment

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

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EEOC/Accommodation Statement

Wallowa County Health Care District is an alcohol and drug-free workplace and an Equal Opportunity Employer. Offers of employment are contingent on the successful completion of drug and background screenings. Please note we follow Federal Guidelines regarding prohibited substances, even for those legal at the state level.

Applicants in need of reasonable accommodation in the application or recruitment process should contact the Human Resources department for assistance. Paper applications may be obtained at Wallowa Memorial Hospital.