Lead Physical Therapist

Under general supervision, assists in coordinating day-to-day activities and operations of the sports physical therapy division; ensure adherence to regulatory, organizational and department policies and procedures. Serves as a receptor, mentor, and resource to staff.   Leads Quality Improvement process and utilizes information to further enhance the quality of services provided by the department. Leads community outreach, program development and staff education/training.    

CLINICAL PRACTICE:
Provide direct patient care 50% of scheduled hours. Demonstrates advanced clinical practice in sports physical therapy and is a clinical mentor for staff. Provides coaching regarding all clinical and non-clinical duties of the physical therapist.  Leads patient care teams and represents the department on hospital wide and/or community-based committees.

EDUCATION/RESEARCH: - Models evidence based clinical care and leads staff with performing research endeavors, literature reviews and presents information to enhance staff's knowledge. Identify opportunities for staff development. Partner with internal/external resources to implement action plans, measuring success with patient outcomes. Leads community education and outreach events.

ADMINISTRATIVE:
Leads 10-20 full-time equivalent Physical Therapists.  Responsible for orienting, training, checking the work of others, maintaining workflow status, tracking employee time on the timekeeping system and providing input on performance and hire/fire decisions.  Identifies staff equipment, supply and service issues; communicates with appropriate personnel and follows through to resolve resource issues.  Assist management with ordering and tracking therapeutic supplies and expenses. Demonstrates commitment to continuous quality improvement; leads change processes by independently coordinating quality improvement activities for the department.   Follows through to resolution issues identified in patient satisfaction survey or through patient/parent complaint process.  

Demonstrates knowledge of population-specific differences and needs of patients in populations from neonate through adolescence and applies them to practice.  Demonstrates cultural sensitivity in all interactions with patients/families and co-workers.

Demonstrates support for the mission, values and goals of the organization through behaviors that are consistent with the Connecticut Children's STANDARDS.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide feedback and coach assigned staff. Provide input to management on assigned staff for performance management and annual appraisals.
• Assists management with interviewing of staff, orienting/training of new staff.  
• Monitors assigned staff productivity and holds staff accountable for achieving productivity goals.

Education and/or Experience:

• Education Required: Graduate of an accredited program in physical therapy.
• Education Preferred: Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree (DPT) preferred.  
• Experience Required: Minimum of 5 years' experience in pediatric sports medicine.  Able to demonstrate advanced clinical practice in pediatric sports medicine physical therapy.

License and/or Certifications:

• Current State of Connecticut Physical Therapist licensure required.
• Current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) / CPR in adult, child & infant is required.
• Orthopedic or Sports Clinical Specialist Certification preferred.
• Professional membership with APTA preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Anatomy, physiology and kinesiology;
• Advanced physical therapy theory and practice, 
• Administration of various physical agent modalities and physical therapy techniques with consideration of indications and contraindications.
• Related accreditation and certification requirements; quality, safety, and infection control standards

Skills

• Computer proficiency in Windows environment.
• Beginning to intermediate skill in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point.
• Excellent Time Management, Organizational and Communication Skills.
• Advanced analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Bilingual skills preferred.

Ability to:

• Work assigned off-shifts, including evenings, weekends & holidays.
• Understand and interpret educational needs; determine training objectives; and to design, develop, 
  implement, and evaluate training plans, curricula, and methodology
• Provide expert care and consultation to patients/families, demonstrate clinical competencies within specialty area, and assess the competencies of others.
• Demonstrate all Connecticut Children's Leadership competencies or potential to do so.
• Assess performance of assigned therapists both clinical and behavioral via performance appraisal; and to serve as a coach, mentor or preceptor.  
• Utilize independent judgment to resolve problems and make decisions on routine managerial matters on assigned shift.
• Hold assigned staff accountable for Connecticut Children's core behaviors, role accountabilities, and professional development plan.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ensure own reliable transportation to and from various locations in the State of Connecticut for service delivery.
• Instruct patients/families in physical therapy methods and the use of facilities and equipment.
• Ensure confidentiality of patient and employee information.