Job Description

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Summary:
The Senior Therapist reports directly to the Clinical Manager and/ or Assistant Clinical Manager (ACM) of their respective department. The Senior Therapist level recognizes those therapists with advanced clinical skills and knowledge of current leading practice. The Senior Therapist performs all the clinical duties of a Physical Therapist along with additional responsibilities: provides support and educational guidance to entry level Physical Therapists; assists with the implementation and coordination of department programs, to include management of the student program, quality and safety programs; coordinates inpatient and/or outpatient operations as appropriate to ensure quality and timely service.

Responsibilities:

Communication

Demonstrates the highest level of communication and professionalism with patients, caregivers, rehabilitation staff, providers, and other health care professionals, both within the academic medical center and in the community.

• Exhibits effective and professional verbal and non-verbal communication

• Communicates clearly, respectfully, and honestly with patients and/or caregivers, and colleagues

• Communicates independently and proactively with other care givers involved in the patients care

• Adjusts communication and response to the level of understanding of the listener

Principal Duties

• Performs clinical duties of a Physical Therapist as defined in the respective job description

• Acts as a general resource and support for all clinical staff within their respective service or program

• Assists with the orientation of new staff

• Provides consultation, second opinions, and peer review of staff and students on a day-to-day basis

• Demonstrates expertise in, and educates staff to, selected assessment tools and treatment techniques

• Develops innovative approaches to treatment to enhance patient and/or caregiver outcomes

• Assumes primary liaison responsibility with ambulatory clinic(s) or specialty area, e.g. Burn Clinic, Ortho Clinic, Wheelchair Clinic

• Shares clinical knowledge and skills

• Provides input on Physical Therapist and/or support staff performance appraisals as necessary and appropriate.

• Mentors Staff Therapists and clinical students

• Facilitates learning opportunities which may including program rounding, case reviews, journal article reviews, in-services, and hands on trainings

• Completes professional organization clinical instructor training as appropriate

Additional duties within the specific program or service as determined by the Clinical Specialist, ACM, and/or Clinical Manager which may include:

• Monitors supplies and equipment for specific service/program area

• Assists with the development of new programs or services

• Assists in developing departmental and evidence-based resources

• Identifies system improvement needs, and provides suggestions and support for improvements

• Implements and monitors program/service specific quality improvement efforts

• Participates in research/outcome measurement and assists with program competency

• Identifies staff educational needs, and provides or coordinates staff education to promote clinical competency

• Assists in managing human and material resources in a cost-effective manner

• Uses unscheduled time to flex to other work areas for patient care needs

• Assists team in prioritizing and planning daily treatment schedules and managing patient case load

• Assists leadership in emergency situations

• Contributes to and actively participates in staff meetings

• Assists in identifying learning needs of self and others.

• Seeks support and follows appropriate channels to solve complex communication issues

• Supports staff in critically thinking through complex cases including, but not limited to, those with ethical concerns

• Facilitates conflict resolution in challenging communication scenarios

• Consistently models highly effective delivery/acceptance of both constructive and positive feedback, communicating strategies and boundary awareness to support individual and team needs

• Works collaboratively within the academic medical center and more broadly with community-based healthcare providers.

Other information:

BASIC KNOWLEDGE:

Bachelor\xe2\x80\x99s degree in Physical Therapy from an accredited institution is required.

A Master or Doctorate level degree in Physical Therapy is preferred. State license issued by the Rhode Island Department of Health is required.

Must demonstrate, via portfolio, advanced competency beyond the Physical Therapist staff level. This will include: resume, continuing education courses/CEUs, presentations/educational activities, publications, research, program development, and awards/recognition.

EXPERIENCE

Minimum three years of clinical experience as a licensed physical therapist with board certification, or four years of clinical experience as a licensed physical therapist required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be fit for duty in accordance with OSHA standards and program specific needs.

INDEPENDENT ACTION

Refers complex staff and or patient needs to the Clinical Specialist, ACM, or Clinical Manager for guidance as appropriate

Enhances clinical competence through advanced diagnostic/assessment and treatment techniques

Pursues advanced training, study, degree, or certification

Attends continuing education courses and shares information effectively

Participates in presentations/activities within Lifespan and/ or the community

Participates in organizational networking and communication

Maintains current membership in a professional organization and/or specialty area

Participates in National, State and/or Local committees related to profession and/or specialty area

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

No direct supervision.

However, pursuant to the state of Rhode Island Rules and Regulations for Licensing Physical Therapists, a licensed physical therapist shall, at all times, be responsible for the supervision of physical therapist assistants, supportive personnel, and students to ensure the safety and welfare of patients. Provides consistent and thorough clinical supervision of assistants, aides, therapists, and volunteers including cosigning notes, reviewing patient treatment plans and goals.

Lifespan is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, ancestry, genetics, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran or marital status. Lifespan is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Location: Rhode Island Hospital, USA:RI:Providence

Work Type: Full Time

Shift: Shift 1

Union: Non-Union

Coastal Medical