Performs professional physical therapy services. Performs initial assessments; plans and administers physical therapy; evaluates treatment goals and patient progress.

Under general direction, assesses patient condition; plans, administers, and evaluates physical therapy.

Confers with, and carries out physician's instructions regarding patient treatment and progress;

Assesses patient status; plans and implements treatment programs which include the use of physical agents, manual therapy, and therapeutic exercise;

Administers physical therapy to patients through use of physical, chemical, and other properties of heat, light, water, electricity, scientific massage, and therapeutic exercise;

Instructs and supervises patients engaged in gymnasium activity such as bicycle riding, crank rotation, prescribed exercise weight lifting, rowing machine usage, gait training, and body and extremity exercise;

Instructs patients or parents of hospitalized children in exercise and activity which is to be continued after returning home;

Consults with physicians, nurses, occupational therapists, and others regarding physical therapy program;

Writes initial evaluations, progress notes, discharge summaries, and home programs;

Instructs other team members in patient-specific therapy techniques;

Participates in research at the facility;

Makes home visits to evaluate the need for changes in patient's home environment and to instruct in home therapy;

Performs duties of Physical Therapist 1;

Performs related duties as required;

May supervise or direct the work of others.

Knowledge of: skeletal, muscular, and neural anatomy; theories, practices, and techniques of physical therapy including electrotherapy, hydrotherapy, actinotherapy, manual and electrical muscle testing, functional ability testing, massage muscle re education, therapeutic exercise, and other aspects of body mechanics as a means of therapy; equipment used in practice of physical therapy; evaluative report writing; methods of recording patient progress.

Ability to: establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, physicians, and staff; instruct patients and relatives in post therapy home exercise, and precautions.

Current Washington State license to practice as a Physical Therapist.

A Bachelor’s degree from a recognized school of physical therapy, or completion of a Physical Therapy program. 

                                                                            OR

Equivalent education/experience.

New class, consolidates 6130 Physical Therapist II, 57300 Physical Therapist 1; adopted May 10, 2007, effective July 1, 2007.