Physical Therapist - Physical Therapy Services - Full Time

Kern Medical has been a community cornerstone since its founding in 1867. Today, we are an acute care teaching center with 222 beds, offering the only advanced trauma care between Fresno and Los Angeles. Kern Medical offers a range of primary, specialty, and multi-specialty services including high-risk pregnancy care, inpatient psychiatric services integrated with county mental health programs, and a growing network of outpatient clinics providing personalized patient-centered wellness care.  Kern Medical cares for 15,500 inpatients and 125,000 clinic patients a year.

Career Opportunities within Kern Medical include many benefits such as: 

• New Hire Premium: +6% of base rate of pay, matched up to 6% if contributed to Deferred Compensation Plan.
• A Comprehensive Benefits Package: includes Holidays, Paid Time Off, Retirement, Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance.

Position: Physical Therapist - Full Time

Compensation

The estimated pay for this position is $57.1545 to $76.8109. The rates shown include a 6% premium pay (base= $-$ plus 6%). This reflects only a portion of the total compensation package for this position. Additional compensation may be available for this role through differentials, incentives, and bonuses. In addition, this position may be eligible for participation and company contributions into the Kern County Employees’ Retirement Plan.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Physical Therapist is used exclusively at Kern Medical, and is included in the flexible classification of Pre-Registered Physical Therapist/Physical Therapist/Occupational Therapist. 

Essential Functions:

• Consults with physicians regarding appropriate types and modalities of physical therapy;
• Evaluates indications and contraindications of various types of physical therapy treatment with regard to the patient's diagnosis and other signs and symptoms; performs manual muscle testing; tests and records range of motion;
• Plans physical therapy treatment routine;
• Administers a wide variety of specialized physical therapy treatment and modalities;
• Provides active, passive, assisted, resistive and postural exercises in isometric, isotonic and isokinetic modes;
• Performs muscle training and re-education;
• Provides crutch fitting and training;
• Instructs patients in pain management, injury prevention, posture correction and body mechanics; 
• Supervises the work of Physical Therapy Aides;
• Maintains records of services provided;
• Oversees the preparation and submission of treatment authorization requests; assures that authorization for physical therapy has been obtained;
• Participates in quality assurance program;
• Participates in in-service training;
• Maintains treatment areas and equipment in good working order;
• Dependent upon area of practice or department assignments, demonstrates clinical;
• Knowledge and skill in the care of the newborn, infant, toddler, child, adolescent, adult and geriatric patient ranging up to 100+ years of age.

Additional Duties:

• Assists in scheduling physical therapy services, and coordinating physical therapy with other types of therapy provided;
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Employment Standards:

• Graduation from an approved school of Physical Therapy;
• Current licensure by the State of California as a Registered Physical Therapist;
• Appointees not possessing the American Heart Association Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) card at time of hire must successfully complete appropriate training and qualify for the RQI Provider certification within 30 days of employment. As a continued condition of employment, employee must maintain RQI Provider certification and competency.
• Employees must maintain all health requirements designated by Kern Medical;
• Other unit specific certification may be required.

Knowledge of:

• The principles and purposes of physical therapy;
• Various types of physical therapy treatments and procedures;
• Operation and care of various types of physical therapy equipment;
• Human anatomy and physiology.

Ability to:

• Administer various types of physical therapy treatments and procedures;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with allied health personnel;
• Communicate effectively with patients; teach and supervise subordinate staff.

Supplemental:

Dependent upon assignment, applicants may be required to pass an extensive background investigation, and be fingerprinted.  Disqualification for felony, misdemeanor, and traffic offenses will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

All Kern Medical employees are designated “Disaster Service Workers” through state and local laws (CA Government Code Sec. 3100-3109 and Ordinance Code Title 2 - Administration, Ch. 2.66 Emergency Services.) As Disaster Service Workers, all county employees are expected to remain at work, or to report for work as soon as practicable following a significant emergency or disaster.

If position responsibilities require driving a personal vehicle, then possession of a current valid California Driver’s License and adherence to the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119) is required.

If position responsibilities require driving a vehicle owned, leased or rented by Kern Medical, then possession of a current valid California Driver’s license, a signed authorization for Release of Drivers Record Information and adherence to the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119) is required.