Physical Therapist

Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs and documents an initial exam, evaluating data to identify problems and determine a diagnosis prior to intervention.
• Plans, prepares and carries out individually designed programs of physical treatment to maintain, improve and/or restore physical functioning, alleviate pain and prevent physical dysfunction in patients.
• Records prognosis, treatment, response, and progress in patient's chart or enters information into computer.
• Identifies and documents goals, anticipated progress and plans for reevaluation.
• Administers manual exercises, massage or traction to help relieve pain, increase patient strength, or decrease or prevent deformity or crippling.
• Evaluates effects of treatment at various stages and adjusts treatments to achieve maximum benefit.
• Tests and measures patient's strength, motor development and function, sensory perception, functional capacity, and respiratory and circulatory efficiency and record data.
• Instructs patient and family in treatment procedures to be continued at home.
• Confers with the patient, medical practitioners and appropriate others to plan, implement and assess the intervention program.
• Reviews physician's referral and patient's medical records to help determine diagnosis and physical therapy treatment required.
• Obtains patients' informed consent to proposed interventions.
• Discharges patient from physical therapy when goals or projected outcomes have been attained and provides for appropriate follow-up care or referrals.
• Provides information to the patient about the proposed intervention, its material risks and expected benefits and any reasonable alternatives.
• Informs patients when diagnosis reveals findings outside physical therapy and refer to appropriate practitioners.
• Refers clients to community resources and services.
• Administers treatment involving application of physical agents, using equipment, moist packs, and ultrasound machines.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education and/or Experience

Master’s Degree is required. 6 plus months of experience preferred.

Certificates and Licensure

Must hold permanent PT license from the State of Louisiana. License must be active and in good standing.