The UPMC Rehabilitation Institute Geriatric Physical Therapy Residency Program is designed to provide practicing physical therapists with advanced training in examination, clinical decision-making, and evidence-based intervention techniques for the older adult. The program runs 16 consecutive months, starting in August. Additionally, the program places an emphasis in utilizing evidence-based practice and facilitates the use of research and outcome measurements. The program is funded by the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute, with inpatient locations at various hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation units, a skilled nursing facility, as well as time spent in an outpatient physical therapy location, and home health practice setting. The program has been designed to advance the competent physical therapist through education, research, and professional service into a board-certified clinical specialist in geriatric physical therapy.

Responsibilities :

Performs physical therapy assessment, reassessment and treatment and supervises physical therapist assistants in the treatment of pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients referred by a physician to the clinic Develops plan of care including goals and treatment plan in accordance with physician referral, nature of injury/illness and results of physical therapy assessment Modifies or adjusts plan of care based on patient's response to treatment and/or changes in patient's status Maintains written documentation for all physical therapy services rendered including documentation of initial assessment, follow-up visits, and discharge summary consistent with department standards Co-signs physical therapist assistant documentation biweekly Provides verbal and/or written home instructions to patient and/or family members when applicable Communicates patient's status to the referring physician and other health care team members Schedules patients to achieve and maintain a level of productivity which meets or exceeds the standard established for the facility by the organization while ensuring delivery of quality patient care