North Texas Rehabilitation Center, Inc. POSITION: Physical Therapist CLASSIFICATION: Early Childhood Intervention EARLY CHILDHOOD INTERVENTION PROGRAM Mission: To work in partnership with families and communities to help families of young children birth to age three with developmental delays have the resources, services, and supports they need to reach their goals. ECI PROGRAM Values: As an employee of the Early Childhood Intervention Program, I make the following commitments: To children s rights to the services that will enable them to reach their fullest potential. To serve children within the individual family environment. To recognize the need for opportunities for social relationships and integration into community life. To families who want what is best for their children, are the constant in their children s lives, and are the primary decision makers for their children. To help families develop their children s goals and service plans; and have information and other assistance to support them in exercising their rights. To respond to individual needs, language, and cultural characteristics of families. JOB PURPOSE: The Physical Therapist will: 1. Provide services within a ten county area to address the promotion of sensorimotor function through enhancement of musculoskeletal status, neurobehavioral organization, perceptual and motor development, cardiopulmonary status, and effective environmental adaptation. These services include: a. Identification, assessment, and intervention; b. Adaptation of the environment, and selection, design and fabrication of assistive and orthotic devices to facilitate development and promote the acquisition of functional skills; and c. Prevention, alleviation, minimization or compensation for movement dysfunction, developmental delay or related functional problems. 2. Participate in the development, implementation, and monitoring of each child s Individual Family Service Plan. 3. Maintain accurate and complete documentation of all services provided to children and their families. 4. Be accountable to a Clinical Supervisor of the ECI Program, in adherence to agency and program mission and values. JOB QUALIFICATIONS: The Physical Therapist must: 1. Possess a graduate degree from an accredited School of Physical Therapy. 2. Maintain current licensure by the Texas State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners. 3. Maintain a valid and current driver s license, current automobile liability insurance, and be able to operate a motor vehicle. Membership in APTA is desired, but not required.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The Physical Therapist (PT) must be able to stand, walk, twist, lift, carry, push, climb (ascend/descend), bend, stoop, crouch, crawl, reach, taste, smell (67-100%) of the workday. The PT must possess strong fine motor skills. He/She must have strong communication skills (the ability to express or exchange ideas and the ability to understand and be understood in order to perform the following job duties with favorable effect on staff, clients, Board and community. He/She may be required to lift up to 30 pounds or more with or without assistance. The major visual functions are: Acuity, far clarity of vision at 20 feet or more (67-100%) Acuity, near clarity of vision at 20 inches or less (34-66%) Depth Perception three-dimensional vision. The ability to judge distance and space relationships so as to see objects where and as they actually are (67-100%) Field of Vision the area that can be seen to the right or the left or up or down while the eyes are fixed on a given point (67-100%) Accommodation adjustment of the lens of the eye to bring an object into sharp focus. This item is especially important when doing near point work at varying distances from the eye (67-100%) Color Vision the ability to distinguish and identify colors (34-66%) The PT must have the ability to do math and be literate. The PT must possess the ability to operate a motor vehicle. Regular attendance and punctuality are requirements of this position. JOB DUTIES: DIRECT SERVICE PROVISION: 1. Participate as a team member in the assessment/evaluation and the ongoing intervention of a child. a. Complete developmental/ routine-based assessments and interpret results of diagnostic procedures to the child s family and other team members. b. Consult with appropriate staff members and family to devise and implement an Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP). c. Include the family in development and implementation of the Individual Family Service Plan. Make appropriate recommendations to family and give understandable instructions in regard to diagnosis, prognosis, and anticipated outcomes of agreed upon plan. Incorporate family s anticipated outcomes for the child into the IFSP. d. Discuss child s progress with the family as it relates to IFSP outcomes. Update IFSPs on a semi-annual basis; re-assess/evaluate the child on an annual basis. e. Support/direct/observe the family in home practice and daily routines. 2. Participate in planning appropriate services and/or developmental intervention. a. Collaborate with parents and other team members. b. Design individual outcomes and strategies that are developmentally appropriate, functional in nature, and related to routines of the home and community. 3. Implement physical therapy/developmental intervention as described through the collaborative planning process (IFSP). a. Provide therapy that centers around the relationships and routines of the family in order to support child and family s growth and development. 2
b. Integrate intervention services into on-going home or community routines in a developmentally appropriate manner. c. Facilitate collaboration with parents and other professional staff through regular contact, documentation (daily notes, case management notes), and designated team meetings. d. Provide intervention with the frequency and intensity specified on the IFSP service grid. 4. Provide ongoing service coordination to designated children/ families. a. Coordinate all services for the child/family within this program and with other agencies. b. Bill Medicaid for Targeted Case Management according to the guidelines established by HCFA. c. Perform practices that demonstrate family support and strengthening. Foster family independence and decision making. Train/educate families to more capably identify and meet their own needs. 5. Facilitate smooth transition for child and family out of this program and into the next program placement. a. Provide parents with information and discussion opportunities regarding future placement options. b. Develop a transition plan in collaboration with parents and other professional staff and in accordance with the transition timelines established in the ECI Policy and Procedure Manual. c. Provide parents with alternative information and activities (including future developmental milestones) should the plan not include a future placement option. d. Complete discharge documentation. 6. Provide services effectively and in a manner that reflects the philosophy of the program. a. Provide services that are family-centered and relationship/routine-based. b. Perform duties in an organized, efficient, and timely manner. c. Use independent judgement and discretion in setting daily priorities to complete tasks. d. Demonstrate sensitivity to linguistic, cultural, social, economic, individual, and role differences among persons and families served. 7. Provide follow along services to children who are at-risk for current ECI eligibility criteria. a. Determine eligibility for the follow along program. b. Provide developmental materials for every family whose child is determined eligible for follow along services at the time the child is determined ineligible for comprehensive services. c. Contact families at least every six months after the child enters follow along tracking to measure developmental status by: 1. Conducting a developmental screening by telephone; or 2. Mailing a developmental questionnaire with instructions for completion to the family; or 3. A combination of telephone and mailed questionnaires. d. Document/report the status of follow along children at periodic intervals determined by Clinical Supervisor. COMMUNICATION: 3
8. Function as an effective team member with co-workers and the community to build productive, collaborative relationships and to achieve program goals and objectives. a. Respect other team members and actively encourage collaboration among members. b. Participate actively in team, program, and Center meetings on a regular basis. c. Facilitate collaboration with parents and other professional staff through regular contact, documentation, and designated team meetings. d. Maintain established work schedule and punctuality, keep appointments, adapt schedule to meet unexpected needs and changes, use time effectively. e. Adhere to established guidelines for billing and documentation. f. Share pertinent information with supervisor and team members regarding work progress, successes, barriers, concerns and other areas that may have an impact on the program s services or image. g. Support the decisions of the Center s management team and program director to staff, clients, and the community. 9. Communicate through verbal/nonverbal means accurately, concisely, and professionally. a. Communicate in a positive, respectful, and courteous manner. b. Interact with co-workers and the community to build productive relationships to support the achievement of service goals. c. Understand and maintain private and sensitive information within the confines of needto-know parameters. Respect the confidentiality of others. d. Maintain high ethical and professional standards of conduct in treatment. e. Adhere to agency s dress code. Dress in a manner appropriate for job duties each day. f. Represent the Center and the ECI Program in a professional manner. g. Maintain a positive and energetic attitude about employment. DOCUMENTATION: 10. Communicate in writing accurately, concisely, and professionally. a. Submit accurate, complete and legible documentation including assessment protocols, daily notes, encounter forms, tracking forms, case management logs, and other written information, as required, in accordance with the program and the Center standards and schedule. b. Prepare all requisitions for supplies, materials, and reimbursements in a complete and concise manner. c. Report any departmental equipment or vehicular repair or replacement needs. d. Abide by all policies and procedures set forth in the Center s Compliance Plan. e. Proof and revise work for correct grammar, spelling, and format. f. Complete all documentation within the timelines specified. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: 11. Use supervision effectively, take initiative to secure professional development opportunities, and apply relevant information in the work setting. a. Actively participate in supervision that is regular, reflective, and collaborative in nature. As appropriate, take the initiative to seek supervisory support. b. Accurately identify areas of mastery and areas targeted for growth and development. Seek assistance and guidance when needed. Assist in completion of own Individualized Professional Development Plan. 4
c. Incorporate constructive direction from supervisor to improve job performance. d. Accept responsibility for the quality of job performance, and make changes as needed. e. Maintain awareness of current professional information and undertake regular and ongoing efforts to maintain competencies in the skills used. Incorporate and demonstrate new knowledge and skills on the job. f. Attend Center and ECI departmental inservices. Present inservices when applicable to the Center, ECI department, and/or community. g. Assist in the training of new staff members or those interested in early childhood intervention. h. Prepare and submit curriculum vitae to the Human Resource department. Update annually. i. Assume other duties as requested by Clinical Supervisor or Program Director. CUSTOMER SERVICE: 12. Participate in child find and public awareness activities. a. Identify, locate, and screen infants and toddlers, birth through two years of age, who have or are suspected of having developmental delays. b. Conduct specific, periodic child-find activities in designated hospitals, medical clinics, and with primary referral sources. c. Promote the involvement of physicians and other health care professionals in early identification, referral, and service provision to potentially eligible children and their families. d. Participate in activities to reach the general public with information about the ECI program. e. Participate in marketing activities for the North Texas Rehabilitation Center held throughout the year. Time Allocation: 100% to Early Childhood Intervention Program Category of Risk to Exposure to Blood & Fluid: X Minimal Moderate Maximum Working Conditions/Hours: Regular office hours are 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m., M-F. Flexible scheduling is expected to accommodate families and staff. Disclaimer Statement: The aforementioned statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the person in this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. 5