Resident, Physical Therapy - Ortho (Waltham)

The Resident is a licensed therapist who demonstrates strong clinical knowledge and reasoning skills in a specific area of clinical practice. (Orthopedics, Neurology, Sports, etc.) The resident will acquire advanced evidence-based clinical knowledge and skills while working with clinical specialists, advanced physical therapists and health care practitioners and interprofessional colleagues. The residency is a twelve to fifteen-month mentored experience designed to advance the knowledge and skills of the resident physical therapist through education, evidenced based practice, and management of diverse range of patient conditions as described by the Description of Specialty Practice (DSP). In addition to providing direct patient care, the resident has additional clinical and non-clinical requirements and responsibilities, including didactic course work, collaborative interprofessional experiences, clinical research, and teaching, in their area of clinical subspecialty. The range of these activities, to meet residency program requirements will occur in a variety of MGH and non MGH settings including local universities, athletic venues, within school systems and in the community.

Understands and complies with hospital and department policies and procedures, and the specific quality standards of care, competencies and procedures unique to the assigned patient area and of the department.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Relevant activities include, but are not limited to the following:

Direct Patient Care:

1.Expectation of 80% patent care

2.Examines and evaluates patient's physical therapy needs. Formulates a physical therapy diagnosis, and develops a treatment plan with treatment goals directed towards maximizing function.

3.Plans, directs, implements treatment programs

4.Evaluates and recommends appropriate equipment for patients

5.Delegates care and directs Physical Therapist Assistants, Physical Therapy Aides, and Physical Therapy Coop Students

6.Demonstrates competence to treat patients across the age within the specialty area with neuromuscular and musculoskeletal impairments

Documentation:

1.Documents patient examination, treatment plan and care provided, evaluation/clinical impression, goals, charge capture, Medicare certification and G-codes as indicated and discharge plans meeting hospital and department standards

2.Documents progress reports including but not limited to: data collected, revised goals, treatment plans, Medicare re-certification and G-codes as indicated, discharge disposition

3.Completes all charge entry daily

Communication:

1.Communicates effectively with patients and their family members, leadership, professional staff, colleagues, peers, customers of all types.

2.Maintains close communication with, and provides feedback to the physical therapist assistant, physical therapy coop student and physical therapy aide regarding patient

3.Demonstrates good active listening and understanding; demonstrates learning from what others say.

4.Writes professionally, expressing ideas and facts using language that can be understood by the reader.

5.Can write professionally, expressing ideas and facts using language that can be understood by the reader

6.Communicates verbally and in writing to patients so they can understand thoughts/ directions.

7.Promotes continuity of care through effective hand offs and patient coverage plans

8.Must be fluent in English

Educational Activities:

1.Takes responsibility for continuing professional development and education

2.Provides patient education for individuals/groups

3.Maintains close communication with, and provides feedback to, the physical therapist assistant, physical therapy coop student and physical therapy aide regarding patient

4.Participates in department inservice activities

5.Serves as clinical instructor after one year or more of experience and six months at MGH and completing Clinical Instructor course

6.Participates in educational activities/projects outside department with the intension of differentiating MGH Physical & Occupational Therapy as the premier providers of rehabilitative services

Academic Teaching, Research, and Community:

1.As a component/requirement of the residency program:

• provides services to academic programs a lab instructor or teaching assistant

• Participates and conducts research

• Participates in event coverage for various athletic events associated with residency objectives

• Participates in offsite didactic training if required by residency

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

• Successfully completes the MGH Physical Therapy Department clinical orientation and competency assessment within three months of start of residency

• Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, assessment, and treatment approach to broad range of diagnoses/impairments requiring physical therapy intervention

• Must be a proficient, independent learner and demonstrate strong skills in scientific inquiry

• Must possess communication and interpersonal skills sufficient for effective training of assigned personnel and working relationships within the department and assigned unit, in addition to those skills required of a staff therapist to manage a diverse patient population

• Must possess analytical abilities and sound knowledge in Physical Therapy

• Effective critical thinking, evaluation and self-assessment skills

• Ability to effectively provide care in a fast paced and complex clinical environment

Requirements: Massachusetts PT license

• Graduate of accredited program of physical therapy, receiving a BS, BA, MS, MA, DPT

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Outpatient hospital environment

Non MGH academic and community settings

• Has the physical ability to stand, walk, climb stairs for extended periods during the day

• Has the physical ability to carry equipment, assist in helping patients move about in their environment, lift and move patient extremities, transfer patients

• Ability to recognize emergency situations and respond appropriately