Therapy Education Specialist - Upper Extremity (Internal Staff Only)

The Therapy Education Specialist - Upper Extremity for OrthoNebraska is a change agent in promoting ongoing professional development of therapy staff. Position requires extensive knowledge of therapeutic interventions targeting orthopedic diagnoses of the Upper Extremity. They serve as a role model /consultant/mentor in skill development and utilizes various educational delivery methods to advance treatments that achieve unparalleled outcomes across the Upper Extremity orthopedic patient populations. Collaboration and teamwork are at the heart of our approach, and we are dedicated to fostering a culture of Always True based on trust, respect, understanding, and engagement among all our team members.

Department/Position Details/Duties:

• Provide and Supervise quality patient care by following established guidelines.
  • Approximately 30 hours a week dedicated to patient care (for 1.0 FTE)
  • May include individual caseload, co treat or mentoring role with other therapy staff including oversight of care plans.
• Monitor performance of all levels of therapy staff by data collection, coaching, education and role modeling to ensure ongoing performance improvement.
• Problem solve and make decisions within area of accountability to ensure effective and efficient patient care.
• Monitor / facilitate progression of staff along clinical development pathways including curriculum and skill validation.
• Collaborate on development of protocols, return to sport testing, integration / training of technology and equipment to ensure best practices.
• Facilitate departmental education focused on evidence based best practices supported in research and literature.
  • Assess ongoing needs for continuing education on new and evolving procedures, equipment and/or technology to enhance outcomes.
  • Collaborates with management and Therapy Quality Coordinator for in-services and staff development programs.
  • Leadership within committees required.
  • Maintains all team member educational records of training programs.
• Coordinate and conduct department orientation for licensed therapy staff. Working closely with department leadership and Therapy Quality Coordinator.
  • Evaluates orientation and onboarding experiences to ensure newly hired team members are prepared to practice safely and independently.
  • Ensure completion of departmental subspecialty specific checklists and uploaded into team member files.
  • Meets with new team members and Therapy Quality Coordinator, as needed, to discuss orientation process and collaborates with management if an orientation extension plan is required.
• Implement and evaluate processes to ensure team members meet established competency requirements.
  • Partner with department leadership and Therapy Quality Coordinator to establish annual competency requirements based on the needs assessment, high risk/low volume skills, and performance improvement issues.
  • Collaborates with department leadership and Therapy Quality Coordinator regarding personnel issues related to orientation and/or educational needs for successful onboarding.
• Mentor staff in areas of patient care, patient interaction, physician communication and time management.
• Employee is responsible for all other duties as assigned for which competency has been demonstrated.

Position Requirements:

Education:

• Graduate of an approved physical therapy or occupational therapy program. Licensed or licensure eligible in Nebraska and/or Iowa
• Current Basic Life Support certification

Experience:

• Advanced Certifications & Training Preferred - OCS, SCS, FAAOMPT, CHT, Cert MDT, NIOMPT, PRC or similar for review
  • Tenured Professional Experience in lieu of certifications may be considered
  • Encourage working toward advanced certification if not currently held
• Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to problem solve through a well-defined approach. Ability to instruct and collaborate with others. Strong team orientation. Ability to accomplish multiple tasks and prioritize activities.
• 3 years minimum of experience as a physical or occupational therapist in an outpatient environment.

Physical:

• This position is classified as Medium Work in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles, requiring the exertion of 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work.