Physical Therapist

Under general supervision of the Clinical Director of Physical Therapy, a clinical position that provides culturally sensitive and compassionate patient care to a wide range of patient injuries and age groups. Creates a plan of treatment consisting of the appropriate exercises, procedures and techniques required to promote effective, safe recovery. Educates patients, families and caregivers in appropriate physical therapy methods. This job class is treated as FLSA Exempt.

Essential Functions: (Essential functions may vary among positions, but may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of tasks performed by all positions in this classification.)

1. Plans, prepares, or performs individually designed programs of physical treatment to maintain, improve, or restore physical functioning, alleviate pain, or prevent physical dysfunction in patients in a clinic setting.

2. Performs and documents an initial exam, evaluates data to identify problems and determines a diagnosis and treatment plan prior to intervention

3. Evaluates effects of treatment at various stages and adjusts treatments to achieve maximum benefit.

4. Identifies and documents goals, anticipated progress, and plans for reevaluation.

5. Records prognosis, treatment, response, and progress in patient medical records.

6. Tests and measures patient's strength, motor development and function, sensory perception, functional capacity, or respiratory or circulatory efficiency and records data.

7. Reviews physician's referral and patient's medical records to help determine diagnosis and physical therapy treatment required.

8. Discharges patient from physical therapy when goals or projected outcomes have been attained and provides for appropriate follow-up care or referrals.

9. Provides patient education on care issues and use of various therapies and exercises. Instructs patient, family and caregivers in treatment procedures to be continued at home.

10. Administers manual exercises, massage, or traction to help relieve pain, increase patient strength, or decrease or prevent deformity or crippling.

11. Directs, supervises, assesses, and communicates with supportive personnel.

12. Informs patients and refers to appropriate practitioners when diagnosis reveals findings outside physical therapy.

13. Provides information to the patient about the proposed intervention, its material risks and expected benefits, and any reasonable alternatives.

14. Confers with the patient, medical practitioners, or appropriate others to plan, implement, or assess the intervention program.

15. Provides educational information about physical therapy or physical therapists, injury prevention, ergonomics, or ways to promote health.

16. Administers treatment involving application of physical agents, using equipment, moist packs, ultraviolet or infrared lamps, or ultrasound machines.

17. Serves as information and education resource for patients, families, physicians, staff and community.

18. Refers clients to community resources or services.

19. Evaluates, fits, or adjusts prosthetic or orthotic devices or recommends modification to orthoptist.

20. Conducts or supports research and applies research findings to practice.

21. Maintains and/or obtains training, certification, or continuing education requirements for licensure and/or other specialties.

22. Directs group rehabilitation activities.

23. Constructs, maintains, or repairs medical supportive devices.

24. Complete task training for all routine cleaning and decontamination processes for all surfaces contaminated by a communicable disease to ensure a high level of patient safety.

25. Maintains patient records and other data required by the clinic.

26. Participates in community or clinic events or activities.

27. Assists the supervisor and staff in all aspects of Physical Therapy Services and administrative tasks as assigned

28. Performs other job related duties as assigned by the supervisor

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics:

• Knowledge of Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, its resources and of Pima-Maricopa/American Indian culture and traditions.
• Knowledge of physical therapy principles, ethical standards and techniques and practices for ages ranging from pediatrics to geriatrics.
• Knowledge of clinic policies and procedures, State and federal regulations, safety and infection control procedures, and quality assurance requirements.
• Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of apparatus and equipment used in physical therapy.

• Skill in appropriate evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of physical therapy patients.
• Skill in prescribing appropriate exercise strategies appropriate to the diagnosis and teaching patients and families how to continue these on an independent basis.
• Skills in teaching and instructing
• Skill in utilizing a personal computer and use of an Electronic Medical Record to develop evaluations, daily notes, progress notes, and discharge summaries.
• Skill in effectively using and maintaining Physical Therapy equipment, and successfully completing competency testing.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with clinic staff, the community and health care providers.
• Skill in problem solving, analytical abilities, communication, organizational and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to quickly and accurately diagnose health problems and implement appropriate treatment plans.
• Ability to demonstrate compassion and caring in dealing with others.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, families, and clinic staff.
• Ability to use a variety of office equipment, including personal computer, copy/fax machines or multiline telephone system.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to organize and complete multiple projects in a timely and accurate manner.

Education & Experience: Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy recognized by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy (CAPTE). Must have a current, valid Arizona license issued by the Arizona State Board of Physical Therapy.

• Experience with Native American and minority populations preferred.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification with AED.

Equivalency: Any equivalent combination of education and/or experience that would allow the candidate to satisfactorily perform the duties of this position, will be considered.

Underfill Eligibility: An enrolled Community Member whom closely qualifies for the minimum qualifications for a position may be considered for employment under SRPMIC Policy 2-19, Underfill.

May be required to work outside normal work hours including nights, weekends and holidays.

• Employees in, and applicants applying for, jobs providing direct services to children are subject to the “Community Code of Ordinances”, Chapter 11, “Minors”, Article X. “Investigation of Persons Working With Children”.

• New hires in clinical roles must present valid BLS certification (Healthcare Provider BLS for clinicians) prior to the first day of patient care.
• Ensures all patient information is kept confidential and complies with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations and SRPMIC HHS policies and procedures.

Prior to hire as an employee, applicants will be subject to drug and alcohol testing. Will be required to pass a pre-employment background/fingerprint check. Employees are subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

"SRPMIC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer" Preference will be given to a qualified: Community Member Veteran, Community Member, Spouse of Community Member, qualified Native American, and then other qualified candidate.

In order to obtain preference, the following is required: 1) Qualified Community Member Veteran (DD-214) will be required at the time of application submission 2) Qualified Community Member (must provide Tribal I.D at time of application submission),3) Spouse of a Community Member (Marriage License/certificate and spouse Tribal ID or CIB is required at time of application submission), and 4) Native American (Tribal ID or CIB required at time of application submission).

Documents may be submitted by one of the following methods:

1) attach to application

2) fax (480) 362-5860

3) mail or hand deliver to Human Resources.

Documentation must be received by position closing date.

The IHS/BIA Form-4432 is not accepted.

Your Tribal ID/CIB must be submitted to HR-Recruitment-Two Waters.