1.0 FTE, 8 Hour Day Shift

At Stanford Children’s Health, we know world-renowned care begins with world-class caring. That's why we combine advanced technologies and breakthrough discoveries with family-centered care. It's why we provide our caregivers with continuing education and state-of-the-art facilities, like the newly remodeled Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford. And it's why we need caring, committed people on our team - like you. Join us on our mission to heal humanity, one child and family at a time.

Job Summary

This paragraph summarizes the general nature, level and purpose of the job.

Provides physical or corrective rehabilitation or treatment of any physical condition to patients in order to achieve and maintain highest functional level.  Treatments include the use of the physical, chemical and other properties of heat, light, water, electricity, sound and massage, gait and transfer training, and active, passive and resistive exercises.  Evaluates all patients referred to the physical therapy service, and treat patients according to a treatment plan which is agreed upon by the physician, patient and/or caregiver. The Physical Therapist II is a senior therapist with expertise and experience in developing treatment plans for complex cases and for a wide variety of ages and diagnoses, utilizing and applying innovative and advanced skills and techniques to solve patient care needs in an accurate and efficient manner. The Physical Therapist II takes a leadership role in multi-disciplinary care team discussions, representing and recommending the most appropriate treatment plan for the needs of the patient. The Therapist serves as a clinical care advisor/guide to less experienced Therapists by answering questions, reviewing treatment plans and collaborating to develop and implement complex Physical Therapy care plans. Supervises patient care responsibilities of Physical Therapy interns, Physical Therapy Assistants and duties of Rehabilitation Aide. Participates in program development, performance improvement, development of departmental policies and procedures, and other specialized programs.

Essential Functions

The essential functions listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification. They are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned. 

Employees must abide by all Joint Commission Requirements including but not limited to sensitivity to cultural diversity, patient care, patient rights and ethical treatment, safety and security of physical environments, emergency management, teamwork, respect for others, participation in ongoing education and training, communication and adherence to safety and quality programs, sustaining compliance with National Patient Safety Goals, and licensure and health screenings. 

Must perform all duties and responsibilities in accordance with the Service Standards of the Hospital(s).

• Designs, implements, and modifies therapeutic interventions to alleviate movement-related impairments, functional limitations and disabilities. Selects and administers appropriate assessment and treatment techniques. Performs age appropriate competency skills in area of practice and with respect to individual patient's problems.

• Discharges patient from treatment when appropriate with adequate discharge planning including equipment procurement and family training, and communicates this appropriately to patient, family and health care team.

• Evaluates for, recommends, applies and, as appropriate, fabricates movement- related assistive, adaptive, protective, prosthetic and supportive devices and equipment, and trains patients in their use.

• Examines, evaluates, and tests patients with mechanical, physiological and developmental impairments, functional limitations, and disability or other health and movement-related conditions. Determines diagnosis of the physical impairments or movement-related functional limitations, prognosis, plan of therapeutic intervention and frequency/duration of intervention.

• Identifies departmental performance improvement issues and participates in performance improvement activities, e.g. chart reviews, revision of documentation forms, workflow studies, etc. Regularly re-evaluates patient care services and programs, and completes assignments in the departmental plan to improve services. Contributes to the development of departmental policies and procedures. Participates in new program development, for example by developing treatment protocols for new patient populations.

• Identifies needs for equipment repair or upgrade to maintain quality of care. Makes recommendations for selection and purchase of specific equipment and supplies.

• Initiates and participates in interdisciplinary care planning to meet the needs of each patient and family, including participation in rounds and patient care conferences, communicating with and teaching other care providers. May contact community agencies as necessary to provide continuity of service between hospital and community.

• Organizes and maintains a patient caseload consistent with department productivity standards. Schedules patients and informs supervisor if problems arise related to the delivery of patient care or caseload volume. Ensures documentation and billing are timely, accurate and complete, including precautions, monthly and discharge summaries.

• Participates in clinical teaching, including the clinical instruction of physical therapy interns/students and other staff. Prepares and presents an in-service (at least one per year) at a department meeting. 

• Provides input regarding the educational needs of the staff and serves as a resource in meeting those needs. With the support of the supervisor, may initiate clinical research within area of clinical expertise. 

• Provides mentoring to others when appropriate and serves as a role model/resource/teacher/mentor to less experienced occupational therapists.

• Participates in Department, team, and discipline and/or unit meetings.

• Performs all necessary patient care documentation, including assessment, plan of care, progress notes, discharge summaries, and charges for evaluation and treatment. Documentation reflects patient status, progress or change, participation by patient and family in goal setting and delivery of care.

• Performs complex patient care tasks under minimal supervision with advanced skills in clinical reasoning, problem-solving and treatment interventions. Assesses and treats patients within the CA licensing Board and American Physical Therapy Association scope of practice, including but not limited to gait and transfer training, therapeutic exercise, functional mobility training, the application of modalities, wound care, and equipment procurement and training.

• Provides direct patient care that meets department and professional standards of practice, including patient assessment, development of physical therapy care plan, patient treatment, family/caregiver training and discharge planning. May serve as a clinician in both the inpatient and outpatient settings.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities as well as possession of any required licenses or certifications is qualifying.

Education: Requirement met by License/Certification Requirement

Experience: Two (2) years of progressively responsible and directly related work experience

License/Certification: Current American Heart Association (AHA) Certification for Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers, Physical Therapy in the state of California by the Physical Therapy Board of California (Code: PT)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

These are the observable and measurable attributes and skills required to perform successfully the essential functions of the job and are generally demonstrated through qualifying experience, education, or licensure/certification.

• Ability to apply advanced clinical skills in treating difficult and complex cases.

• Ability to clinically supervise, train and evaluate students/interns.

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

• Ability to develop, implement and adapt treatment programs.

• Ability to evaluate patients and interpret clinical data and make clinical judgments.

• Ability to provide appropriate care and progress treatment based on professional standards of practice, and on the needs of the specific individual, including age and developmental considerations, cultural and psychosocial issues, precautions and medical condition.

• Ability to utilize sound clinical reasoning to determine appropriate patient interventions; demonstrates good safety awareness, judgment and problem analysis and resolution.

• Ability to work well with individuals at all levels of the organization.

• Ability to speak, read, write, and understand English effectively at a level appropriate for the safe and effective performance of the job.

• Knowledge and adherence to Code of Ethics and performance standards specific to the clinician's professional organization.

• Knowledge of available equipment and vendors used in assigned area.

• Knowledge of basic principles of clinical supervision and clinical instruction.

• Knowledge of computer systems and software used in functional area.

• Knowledge of evaluation and treatment methodologies as applied to complex patients.

• Knowledge of legal issues affecting the clinical practice.

• Knowledge of pathologies and injuries which result in speech, language, cognitive, and swallowing disabilities.

• Knowledge of principles, methods, equipment and theory of the practice of clinical specialty.

• Knowledge of regulatory practice requirements.