Description
Provide skilled physical therapy in a skilled nursing facility to post-acute and long-term care residents, assessing and treating mobility and functional deficits to relieve pain, build strength and endurance, prevent falls, and support safe discharge, in compliance with CMS, PDPM, and facility standards.
- • Review physician orders, hospital summaries, and resident history to determine PT needs in the SNF.
- • Perform and document a comprehensive initial evaluation of mobility, strength, range of motion, balance, gait, transfers, endurance, and pain.
- • Establish PT diagnosis, prognosis, measurable goals, and an SNF-appropriate plan of care.
- • Develop and deliver individualized treatment to improve mobility, transfers, gait, ADL participation, balance, and fall prevention.
- • Provide therapeutic exercise, neuromuscular re-education, gait and stair training, endurance training, and functional task practice.
- • Apply physical agents and manual techniques, when appropriate, to reduce pain, manage edema, and enhance mobility.
- • Train residents and caregivers in safe mobility techniques, home exercise programs, energy conservation, and use of assistive devices and DME.
- • Evaluate treatment response regularly and modify interventions and goals to maximize functional outcomes.
- • Test and record functional measures to track progress and inform care decisions.
- • Document evaluations, daily notes, progress reports, Section GG functional scores, and discharge summaries per CMS and facility policy.
- • Obtain informed consent and educate residents on treatment risks, benefits, and alternatives.
- • Collaborate with nursing, OT, SLP, social services, and physicians to plan, implement, and assess the intervention program.
- • Prepare residents for safe discharge to home or long-term care, recommending DME and follow-up services as needed.
- • Screen residents for rehabilitation needs and triage referrals based on skilled criteria and rehab potential.
- • Supervise and communicate with PTAs and rehab technicians, delegating tasks per state practice acts and facility policy.
- • Evaluate, fit, or adjust wheelchairs, walkers, prosthetics, orthotics, and seating/positioning systems; coordinate with vendors or orthotists.
- • Implement fall prevention strategies, safe patient-handling practices, and restraint-reduction alternatives.
- • Educate staff and families on PT roles, mobility programs, pressure-relief positioning, and injury prevention.
- • Adhere to infection control, safety, and emergency procedures within the SNF setting.
- • Ensure therapy frequency, intensity, and scheduling align with medical necessity, resident tolerance, and physician orders.
- • Support accurate PDPM classification by documenting skilled need, comorbidities, and functional status; collaborate with MDS staff as appropriate.
- • Identify findings outside PT scope and refer residents to appropriate practitioners.
- • Participate in quality improvement initiatives and apply evidence-based practice to enhance care.
- • Conduct individual, concurrent, or group therapy per CMS rules and facility guidelines with appropriate justification.
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
