Duties and Responsibilities

Administrative Functions

• Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, and direct our physical therapy services, as well as its programs and activities, in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern nursing care facilities.


• Communicate with staff from related departments when planning therapy services.


• Develop and maintain occupational therapy standards.


• Assist in standardizing the methods in which physical therapy will be accomplished.


• Review physical therapy policies, procedures, manuals, job descriptions, a minimum of annually.


• Interpret physical therapy policies and procedures to personnel, residents, family members, as necessary.


• Participate in discharge planning, development and implementation of resident care plans, resident assessments, as necessary.


• Assume the authority, responsibility, and accountability of directing the occupational therapy department in conjunction with the Director of Rehabilitation.


• Maintain treatment records, resident files, and progress notes, as required.


• Work with the Facility’s consultants for equipment, custom wheelchairs, etc.


• Ensure that billing for therapy services rendered are coded accurately and in accordance with current standards. All billing and daily notes must be completed on the date of service.


• Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, charting, as necessary.


• Write appropriate orders for Physical Therapy services rendered in the electronic medical chart.


• Report any questions or concerns to your Director of Rehabilitation.


• Supervise physical therapy assistants in accordance with state & board policies, and review treatment/documentation.


• Administer therapy services via Telehealth as required to maintain compliance.

Therapy Functions

• Review requests for physical therapy services and physician orders.


• Interview resident to determine type of treatments needed and schedule therapy, as ordered.


• Select rehabilitative and therapeutic activities and exercises based on medical and social history of residents.


• Participate in the development and implementation of resident assessments (MDS) and care plans, including quarterly reviews.


• Inform resident of procedures involved in physical therapy and prepare necessary equipment.


• Assist in transporting resident to and from physical therapy room or area.


• Demonstrate to residents and staff personnel, as necessary, the procedures involved in the treatment process.


• Perform physical therapy in resident’s room, as necessary.


• Reassure resident before and during therapy treatment.


• Prepare resident for treatment by dress or position and administer occupational therapy in accordance with established policies and procedures.


• Instruct and supervise resident during therapy.


• Assist residents in ambulatory training, as necessary.


• Recommend modifications and changes in the resident’s therapy treatment as indicated.


• Ensure that all therapist notes are informative, follow guidelines, and are descriptive of the care provided and of the resident’s response to the care

Staff Development

• Participate in programs designed for in-service education and on-the-job training.


• Attend and participate in workshops, seminars, to keep informed of current changes in the field, as well as to build skills and enhance growth and development.


• Attend and participate in Facility in-service training programs as scheduled (e.g., OSHA, TB, HIPAA, Abuse Prevention, Safety, Infection Control, etc.).

Safety and Sanitation

• Follow established safety standards for the physical therapy department.


• Follow established departmental policies and procedures at all times, including appropriate dress code.


• Comply with the Facility’s established safety precautions at all times.


• Wear and/or use safety equipment and supplies when lifting or moving residents.


• Assist in identifying departmental procedures that involve exposure to blood or body fluids.


• Follow established infection control procedures and universal precautions when performing duties.


• Ensure that the therapy area is maintained in a clean and safe manner for resident comfort and convenience by assuring that necessary equipment and supplies are maintained to perform such services.


• Follow reporting procedures when observing any hazardous conditions or equipment.


• Wear personal protective clothing when performing services that involve potential exposure to blood or body fluids.

Equipment and Supply Functions

• Provide necessary material and equipment for resident to perform required therapy.


• Report any inventory, equipment, or supply needs to your supervisor.


• Utilize all department equipment and supplies in an efficient manner that promotes desired therapy outcomes and minimizes waste.


• Operate physical therapy equipment in a safe manner.

Resident Rights

• Honor the resident’s refusal of treatment request.  Report such action to your supervisor.


• Abide by the resident’s participation in treatment decision.


• Inform the resident of consequences of not participating in prescribed therapy and document such action in the resident’s clinical record.


• Report any resident complaints or grievances to the department supervisor.


• Allow the residents to participate in the planning and scheduling of their treatment, as requested.


• Adhere to all HIPAA requirements.


• Report medical concerns and changes in condition to the resident’s nurse and the therapy supervisor.

Working Conditions

• Works in office areas, therapy rooms, resident rooms, etc.


• Is involved with physicians, residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies or personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.


• Communicates with the medical staff, nursing personnel, and other department directors.


• Must be constantly alert for resident safety.


• Attends and participates in continuing educational programs as may be required by current regulations.


• Is subject to lifting, carrying and supporting residents.


• Maintains communication with the residents, their families, other departments, etc., to adequately plan for the resident’s occupational therapy needs.