Senior Physical Therapist

MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center is to eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation, and the world through outstanding programs that integrate patient care, research and prevention, and through education for undergraduate and graduate students, trainees, professionals, employees and the public.

SUMMARY
Function: To provide physical therapy assessment, advisement, education, and a treatment plan for therapeutic exercise/physical activity for patients referred to the Integrative Medicine Center. To work with the Director, Integrative Medicine Center, Director and Associate Director, Department of Rehabilitation Services, Supervisors, Rehabilitation Services, and other OT/PT personnel as needed as well as IMC Sr. Clinical Dietitian to provide care during all stages of treatment. To work within the team to attain departmental and center goals. The position in the integrative medicine team should play a critical role in supporting the evolving clinical service.

SCOPE 
Responsible for providing physical therapy for secondary prevention regarding therapeutic exercise/physical activity for patients with complex medical conditions receiving care related to integrative health treatment planning. This includes: communicating recommendations for therapeutic  exercise/physical activity intervention in the medical record and on multi-disciplinary rounds; providing exercise/physical activity education to the patients and health care professionals. Specific responsibilities include evaluation of medical status, interpretation of laboratory values, assessment of a patient’s physical activity level, and advising and providing self- management support when implementing the exercise/physical activity intervention. Provides education within the hospital and in the community when appropriate and participates in outcomes related research/projects when appropriate.

JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES
Patient Care Function
a. Provides self- management support for therapeutic exercise/physical activity prescription in relation to the patient’s diagnosis, current medical treatment, age group, and physical performance as assessed in the Integrative Medicine Center. Identifies therapeutic exercise/physical activities for the management of disease-related health concerns and to assist in possible prevention of recurrence. Assessment is focused on patient fitness as measured by physical performance tests related to cardiovascular fitness, strength, balance, and flexibility. Makes recommendations to coordinate with patients’ participation in personal training, group
exercise programs, supervised exercise, and energy balance concerns while the patient is working with the Sr. Clinical Dietician.
b. Works with the center medical director in developing treatment plans as described above.
c. Reviews research related to exercise, physical activity and health relating to the patient’s cancer diagnosis and treatment when applicable.
d. Educates through classes regarding general exercise/physical activity interventions to improve health, optimize ongoing cancer treatments, and facilitate potential reduction in the risk of future cancers.
e. Develops patient education materials that address patients concerns observed in the integrative medicine center as they relate to exercise and physical activity.
f. Considers the impact of physical activity as it relates to stress and the cognitive behavioral influences of exercise which may include collaborating with skilled counseling specialists.
g. Collaborates with Rehabilitation Services’ staff in the form of ongoing training on aspects of physical activity important as it relates to clinical management of patients. Consults with the Rehabilitation Services staff regarding patients as needed to provide continuity of care.
h. Provides an assessment of physical performance by synthesizing and analyzing information obtained through a physical therapy evaluation with appropriate physical performance measures, review of the electronic medical record, and consultation with other members of the care team.
i. Participates in the collection of baseline assessments, administering questionnaires, and administering fitness and anthropometric tests.
j. Determines patient’s activity needs and develops a comprehensive plan of care by using department-established guidelines.
k. Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team individually and in group meetings in recommending, implementing, and monitoring of physical activity interventions.
l. Uses Rehabilitation Services EMR for documentation of services. Forms also include the Interdisciplinary Plan of Care and Teaching Record (IPOCTR) and the Discharge Communication Checklist.
m. Provides ongoing or follow-up care according to established time frames and reassessment criteria.
n. Identifies and provides for patient and family education needs, assesses barriers to learning, provides appropriate instructions utilizing appropriate modalities, assesses patient understanding and documents interventions on the Patient Teaching Record.

Productivity
a. Effectively manages time in order to maximize patient care activities as well as participate in rounds, developmental activities and scheduled meetings, as appropriate.
b. Maintains overall productivity as determined by the Medical Director and Director, Rehabilitation Services. Routinely attends departmental meetings and completes required reports in a timely and professional manner. Clinical Practice a. Works with the center medical director in developing recommendations for therapeutic exercise/physical activity by disease state as appropriate. Attends weekly interdisciplinary team meetings.
b. Provides professional and staff education for patients and families by clearly presenting formal and informal verbal in-service classes in clinics and by providing clearly understood written and/or printed information. Evaluates, as advised by consulting physician, patient- initiated physical activities.
c. Participates in departmental Quality Improvement efforts by collecting data for quality improvement indicators.
d. Contributes to the annual Performance Evaluation of peers. Completes monthly peer review reports and provides ongoing feedback to peers regarding performance and documentation related issues.
e. Participates in the development and or revision of departmental exercise/physical activity manual, formulary, practice guidelines and educational resources to assure highest level of quality patient care practice.
f. Provides advanced exercise/physical activity practice information/education to other members of the patient care team and/or the community.
g. Participates in staff development activities via formal and informal education.
h. Provides professional and community education via presentations, publications, and/or planning and execution of departmental education efforts in the area of integrative medicine.
i. Serves as preceptor for student interns within the department and/or as a contributing educator to another department as opportunities are developed.
j. Evaluates and participates in developing research related to physical activity and exercise and integrative cancer care.

Professionalism 
a. Demonstrates professionalism at all times in appearance and demeanor.
b. Maintains effective communication with Rehabilitation Services staff and Rehabilitation Services management, and other members of the healthcare team. Accepts direction for patient care issues from members of the Medical Care Team, Rehabilitation Services Management, and Rehabilitation Services Staff members. Works as a team with Medical Care Team, Rehabilitation Services management, and Rehabilitation Services staff members.

PERIODIC FUNCTIONS
Attends conferences, workshops, meetings, and seminars related to exercise/physical activity support.