Physiotherapist

KEY FUNCTION:

Provide safe, effective, and efficient physiotherapy services to the in-patient environments including Medical/Surgical, ICU, ER, CCU units, and St. Joseph’s Manor.

Physiotherapists will be dedicated to improving SJGHEL’s inpatient mobility:

• Promoting optimal mobility, physical activity and overall health and wellness.
• Preventing injury and disability.
• Assessing the impact of injury, disease or disorders of movement and function.
• Managing acute and chronic conditions, activity limitations, and participation restrictions through education, specialized programming, and a holistic approach to care.
• Restoring, improving, maintaining, and prolonging optimal functional independence and physical performance.
• Educating and planning maintenance and support programs to prevent re-occurrence, re-injury or functional decline.
• Completing and submitting applications for patients to access appropriate rehabilitation programs and community resources, ensuring accuracy and timely processing.
• Collaborating with the interdisciplinary team to develop individualized care plans and actively participating in discharge planning to ensure safe, effective transitions and continuity of care.

DUTIES:

• Perform detailed, comprehensive medical history and physical assessment of patients with actual or potential impairments, pain, functional limitations, disabilities, or other health related conditions to establish a diagnosis and clinical impression resulting from assessment findings.
• Use professional clinical reasoning to develop individualized treatment plans for all patients based on their abilities, functional needs, and potential for functional change.
• Communicate the plan of treatment to patients and the interdisciplinary team.
• Obtain informed consent from each patient and/or their substitute decision maker for the treatment plan and for the involvement of Rehabilitation Assistants or students.
• Provide supervision and work direction to Rehabilitation Assistants and assigned support personnel as required in accordance with the standards defined by the CPO.
• Initiate and implement all physiotherapy treatments related to the diagnosis and clinical impression.
• Operate a variety of equipment to complete patient therapy and ensure maximum care and safety of patients during treatment.
• Recommend and educate compensatory and remedial strategies, activity modification, adaptive equipment, and assistive devices to promote safety and maximize functional independence.
• Monitor patient progress, perform on-going re-evaluations and initiate program changes as required.
• Collaborate with patients, families, physicians, interprofessional team members and community partners throughout the therapy process regarding patient management.
• Educate, motivate, and counsel patients and their families in coping strategies, decision-making and utilization of personal and community resources as needed to ensure successful completion of programs.
• Make referrals to regional/provincial specialized rehabilitation programs as required.
• Participate in weekly interdisciplinary rounds and ALC avoidance rounds.
• Participate in the discharge planning process to ensure safe, effective, and efficient discharges.
• Make referrals to local community partners when discharging patients to ensure appropriate follow-up therapy services are in place as needed.
• Document assessment findings, clinical impression, treatment plans, and all related physiotherapy intervention and patient outcomes. Maintain an accepted standard of documentation for quality assurance.
• Ensure the privacy and confidentiality of personal health information is maintained.
• Act as a professional resource for internal health care providers and community partners.
• Participate in program planning committee work as required.
• Provide theoretical and clinical education/supervision to physiotherapy students and undergraduate students.
• Complete mandatory education and training specific to current, relevant federal and provincial health and safety legislation, standards and guidelines as determined by SJGHEL.
• Provide in-services and education to the community, hospital staff members, patients and family members as needed (ie: Back Care Class)
• Educate and promote health, safety and wellness in the workplace and adhere to hospital safety and infection control measures.
• Maintain relevant statistical information.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND TRAINING:

• Master’s Degree in Physiotherapy from an accredited Canadian university (or equivalent internationally).
• Registration and licensing in good standing with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario (CPO).

EXPERIENCE:

• Experience in working with geriatric and adult populations is an asset.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of, and willingness to support SJGHEL’s Mission, Vision & Values of Compassion, Humility and Harmony, Respect, Integrity, Social Responsibility and The Sacredness of Life.
• Understanding of the principles of rehabilitation and the rehabilitation process.
• Knowledge of CPO standards of practice and guidelines.
• Knowledge of current health care and privacy legislation.
• Demonstration of professional work attitudes and behaviors.
• Demonstration, application, and commitment to patient centered care.
• Ability to direct and supervise Rehabilitation Assistants, support staff and students.
• Proven ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to exercise professional judgment and clinical reasoning with the ability to apply ethical frameworks when choosing optimal assessment and treatment interventions.
• Possession of good analytical skills, critical thinking, and problems-solving skills.
• Ability to manage conflict and to use tact and discretion in dealings with staff, patients, families, and visitors.
• Ability to manage diversified workloads and rapidly changing priorities.
• Superior communication and interpersonal skills, both verbal and written.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development.
• Knowledge of Meditech, Electronic Medical Records (EMR), and medical terminology.
• Computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office software (Word, Outlook, Excel, Power Point).

PHYSICAL DEMAND:

• Ability to remain on your feet for extended periods, including standing and walking.
• Frequent repetitive movements associated with assisting patients and handling equipment.

OTHER:

• Bilingualism (English/French) is an asset.