Job Summary:

In accordance with the Purpose, Vision, Values and Coast Salish Teachings, and strategic direction of PHSA, safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

Practices in accordance with the standards of professional practice and code of ethics as outlined by the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC as well as within a client and family centred care model and the vision and values of the organization.  Provides physiotherapy services to enable clients to achieve and maintain optimal health outcomes, by working independently and as a member of an interdisciplinary team.  Performs assessments on client’s physical status, functional abilities and needs and goals, establishes a physiotherapy diagnosis and prognosis, develops and implements an intervention strategy, evaluates the effectiveness of the intervention, and communicates with the client/family and health care team members.  Contributes to the organization and delivery of physiotherapy services, and participates in departmental/program quality assurance initiatives, meetings, research, and education.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1. Assesses client’s physical status, functional abilities, needs, and goals utilizing an evidence-based approach by methods such as reviewing records, gathering information, interviewing the client, identifying client and therapist expectations, selecting and applying evidence-based assessment methods, performing examinations, administering standardized tests and measures, identifying the client’s desired functional status and quality of life, and monitoring the client’s health for significant change to ensure improvement in clients functional independence and physical performance.
2. Analyzes client’s needs, establishes the physical therapy diagnosis and prognosis, and develops an evidence-based, outcome-focused intervention strategy by utilizing assessment and reassessment findings, discussing the analysis with the client and relevant others, developing short and long term client goals, and selecting a practice model/intervention consistent with the client’s needs and goals to achieve optimal health outcomes.
3. Implements interventions in accordance with established treatment guidelines and educates clients regarding self-management, health promotion and injury/disability prevention.
4. Evaluates and documents the effectiveness of interventions by methods such as conducting ongoing assessment and monitoring of client responses, evaluating changes in health status, function and physical performance against pre-determined goals and expected outcomes, and modifying the intervention strategy to achieve and maintain functional independence and physical performance.
5. Acts as a Physiotherapy resource for other members of the health care team by methods such as providing education and in-services, and attending meetings as a representative of Physiotherapy.
6. Maintains a variety of records including client files by gathering information, entering data into computerized databases and/or documenting information into approved formats according to the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC practice standards.  Notes client’s progress, changes to treatment plan, and records test/treatment results to provide evidence and rationale that support assessment findings and intervention plan.  Compiles statistics on workload activities and summarizing information into written reports as requested.
7. Guides clinical experience of assigned physiotherapy and rehabilitation assistant students as assigned by providing clinical guidance and the opportunity to observe and take an active role in the treatment of physiotherapy clients, and providing input to the Manager and/or designate as requested on individual's progress in achieving established standards of care.
8. Participates in team/program activities required to enhance and optimize the delivery of care and to facilitate evidence-based practice.  Promotes quality management principles for team/program operations, identifies processes/procedures that require improvement, and drafts/revises guidelines, policies and procedures for review.
9. Participates on committees to promote optimal support for clients, to facilitate the resolution of issues, and to advocate for the goals and objectives of the team/program.
10. Participates in approved physical therapy and interdisciplinary research and special projects in collaboration with designated personnel/team and other health care professionals, through methods such as collecting data, summarizing information, and/or providing verbal updates for review and further analysis by principal researcher, research team and/or project coordinator.
11. Applies an evidence-based approach to clinical problem solving through methods such as reviewing relevant literature/resources and applying approved research findings in clinical practice to support the research culture of the organization.  Evaluates results in collaboration with interdisciplinary team.
12. Maintains and updates own clinical knowledge within area of practice, and develops a plan in collaboration with designated personnel/team for professional development.  Reviews progress to ensure that goals are achieved within established time frames.
13. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience

• Baccalaureate in Physical Therapy or Rehabilitation Sciences from a recognized program.
• Current full registration as a Physiotherapist with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC. Eligible for membership in the Physiotherapy Association of British Columbia (PABC).
• Two (2) years of recent related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Skills and Abilities

• Broad knowledge of Physiotherapy theory and practice within a client and family centred model of care.
• Broad knowledge of the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC standards of practice and guidelines for clinical practitioners.
• Broad knowledge of other health care disciplines and their role in client care.
• Basic knowledge of evidence-based clinical practice related to designated clinical area(s).
• Basic knowledge of physiotherapy standardized tests and measures.
• Basic knowledge of research process and methodology.
• Demonstrated ability to teach and empower clients to assume control over their health.
• Demonstrated ability to adjust to unexpected events, problem-solve, set priorities and deal with conflict.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate (orally and in writing) and deal effectively with clients and their families, coworkers, physicians, other health care staff, and staff of external agencies.
• Demonstrated ability to provide effective consultation.
• Demonstrated ability to establish workload priorities in collaboration with others in a complex health care environment.
• Demonstrated ability to recognize when referral to another health care professional is required.
• Demonstrated skill in Physiotherapy techniques and the use of applicable equipment and supplies.
• Demonstrated computer skills including the ability to effectively use a computerized client care information system.
• Demonstrated physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Demonstrated skills in CPR techniques.