Physical Therapist/Occupational Therapist

Rehabilitation Therapist (PT/OT) – Oncology Rehabilitation

Oncology Rehab has several clinics across Colorado and Texas and is looking for one or more full time Physical and/or Occupational Therapists to treat patients in our San Antonio, TX location. The role will be to primarily to work with patients who have received treatment for cancer.  This role would specifically work with patients who are experiencing decreased range of motion, stiffness, scarring/fibrosis, lymphedema, weakness/deconditioning, chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy, balance impairments, limitations in functional mobility and the occasional vestibular diagnosis following cancer treatments.  These patients may have received chemotherapy, radiation and/or surgery.  Mentorship & training (through PORi) would be provided by our current cancer rehabilitation therapists.

About Oncology Rehab

Oncology Rehab is a national clinical leader in oncology rehabilitation with clinics in Colorado and Texas, providing physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech language pathology for cancer patients. We are an exciting, dynamic company with a passion for what we do. Our work makes a real difference in peoples’ lives and we are extremely passionate about it We work in partnership with hospital systems to provide rehabilitation for their patients during and after cancer treatment. This job posting is for our San Antonio office, which partners with Methodist Hospital to provide rehab services at Methodist Cancer Care Rehabilitation Center. The San Antonio location is headed up by Rachel Fey-Larsen who founded Forté Rehabilitation and Wellness Center in 2002 with a mission to help people recover from the devastating effects of cancer. In 2021, Rachel joined forces Oncology Rehab in Denver and we now provide oncology rehabilitation services in partnership with the Methodist Cancer Care Rehabilitation Center. We are expanding and have an immediate opening for one or more full-time licensed physical or occupational therapists.

For more information about working at Oncology Rehab, please visit www.oncologyrehab.net/careers

Education:

• Masters/DPT in Physical Therapy (including historic or international equivalents);
• or Masters/Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (including historic or international equivalents).

Required

• A Passion for the oncology patient population
• A Passion for learning

Desired

• PORi Oncology Rehabilitation Certifications
• APTA Clinical Specialist Board Certification (for PTs)
• Pilates Instructor
• Functional Dry Needling
• Certified Lymphedema Therapist

Experience

• at least 1 year of experience post-graduation or relevant clinical rotations
  

General Job Description:

Therapists at Oncology Rehab work within their scope of practice but focus their knowledge on providing rehabilitative services to patients who have undergone treatment for cancer or are experiencing persistent edema including lymphedema. Physical Therapists at Oncology Rehab are expected to have and maintain a deep understanding of the impact of cancer treatment on the Epidermal, Dermal, Myofascial, Skeletal, Lymphatic, Vascular and Neural Systems, and the treatment protocols appropriate to mitigate the impact of cancer treatments on the body. In addition, Therapists are expected to have an understanding of the neurologic side effects of cancer treatments including the various types of chemotherapy drugs.  Through the modalities of exercise, balance/vestibular re-training, joint mobilization, manual therapy, manual lymphatic drainage, heat, cold, and electrical stimulation, our Physical Therapists work to restore function, improve mobility, and decrease pain with the goal of re-establishing a patient’s prior functional level or maximizing their function within the constraints of the physiological impact of their cancer treatment, surgeries or disease processes.

As appropriate, Therapists focus on the evaluation of strength, balance, range of motion, lymphatic system impairment, edema/swelling issues, edema-related wound care, coordination, endurance, posture, and the impact of these symptoms on the daily living activities of each individual patient.

Rehabilitation strategies often involve manual therapy & specific exercises to stretch and strengthen muscles, mobilize joints affected by surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy, as well as to facilitate the healing of the lymphatic system, reduce edema, improve posture, balance, and endurance. Over the course of the rehabilitation period, Therapists will document progress, re-evaluate physical findings, and modify treatment strategies as appropriate. Oncology Rehab’s PTs and OTs work as a team with a variety of other professionals, including referring physicians and speech pathologists - all with the same goal of reaching maximal patient functional independence.

 License

• Therapists at Oncology Rehab are expected to maintain and meet the requirements of their professional licensure in the State of Texas.

Tasks and duties include (but are not limited to):

• Meet patient goals and needs and provide quality care by assessing and interpreting evaluations and test results; determining Therapy treatment plans in consultation with physicians or by prescription.
• Help patient accomplish treatment plan and accept therapeutic devices by administering manual exercises; instructing, encouraging, and assisting patients in performing physical activities, such as non-manual exercises, ambulatory functional activities, and daily-living activities and in using assistive and supportive devices, such as crutches, canes, compression garments and prostheses.
• Administer Therapy treatments by performing Manual Therapy; Applying Physical Agents; Myofascial Trigger Point Release, Joint Mobilization, Neural Mobilization, Lymphatic Manual Drainage, Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT), Pain Mitigation and Functional Restoration, ultraviolet and infrared lamps, ultrasound machines and other treatment modalities.
• Assure continuation of therapeutic plan following discharge by designing home exercise programs; instructing patients, families, and caregivers in home exercise programs; recommending and/or providing assistive equipment; recommending outpatient or home health follow-up programs.
• Document patient care services by charting patient and department records.
• Maintain patient confidence and protect hospital operations by keeping information confidential.
• Maintain safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Protect patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols.
• Ensure operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; following manufacturer's instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions; calling for repairs.
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.
• Contributing to the professional development of Therapy colleagues by providing information; developing and conducting in-service training programs.
• Complying with federal, state, and local legal and professional requirements by studying existing and new legislation; anticipating future legislation; enforcing adherence to requirements; advising management on needed actions.
• Contributing to the team effort by navigating patients through the various service lines offered, as appropriate and attending and contributing to therapist think tank sessions.
• Providing feedback to referring physicians and other members of the patient’s care team, as appropriate.