Rachel Perlman
Tollhouse,CA
Summary
I am a Pediatric Physical Therapist with comprehensive experience providing care to children and their families in a variety of settings. I have worked in both hospital-based outpatient pediatric physical therapy clinics and inpatient pediatric hospitals. I am highly adaptable, ensuring my ability to meet changing needs and priorities. My inpatient experience is extensive including provision of care to children who have neurologic injuries such as brain injury or SCI, working with those who are post-operative orthopedic surgery, with children who have oncologic and autoimmune conditions, those with acute and chronic respiratory conditions, and those with rare diseases. I have wide-ranging experience in outpatient pediatric clinic care including developmental assessments and interventions, balance training, orthopedic care, seating equipment management, torticollis treatment, neuro rehabilitation and serial casting. I believe that the best care happens when there is a team approach: this includes the child and their caregivers, medical providers, interdisciplinary care providers and the therapy team. I strive to provide holistic care to each child and their family, sensitive to cultural influences and individual needs. I contribute to a collaborative clinical environment and am recognized for team efforts and consistent achievement of therapeutic goals.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Physical Therapist II
Valley Children's Healthcare
04.2011 - Current
- Develop strong rapport with patients and families by demonstrating empathy, maintaining open communication, and offering consistent support throughout the therapy process.
- Deliver expert care to children in a variety of Inpatient Pediatric areas: PICU, HemOnc, Neuro Rehab, Surgical, Neuro, late-term neonates in NICU, Autoimmune and Rare Diseases.
- Provided specialized care to children in a Hospital-based Outpatient Pediatric Clinic with various diagnoses including: Post-op Orthopedic, SCI, Gross Motor and Developmental Delay, Genetic Syndromes, Toe Walking, Torticollis.
- Conduct thorough evaluations of patients' motor skills, balance, coordination, strength, and endurance to inform treatment planning.
- Perform assessments and coordinate care for children at a multidisciplinary outpatient CF Clinic, including standardized data collection for research.
- Evaluate assistive devices and orthotics to provide recommendations for improved functional mobility, coordinating with orthotists for optimal fit.
- Evaluate infants for cranial shaping helmets while coordinating with or referring to cranial tech experts.
- Address psychosocial factors impacting patient progress by collaborating closely with mental health providers, Child Life Specialists and Music Therapists when necessary.
- Maintain open communication with referring physicians and the multidisciplinary care team to ensure coordinated care efforts.
- Facilitate successful transitions from hospital to home by providing family-centered care and coordinating services with community resources.
- Manage high-volume caseload and coordinate daily schedules of assistants, aides and patients.
- Manage acute and chronic conditions with broad understanding of complex therapy needs.
- Mentored new physical therapists and medical residents, fostering a supportive learning environment and sharing clinical expertise.
- Participate in and implement departmental improvement projects.
- Supervise clinical students, PTAs, therapy aides, and interns.
- Design home exercise programs tailored to individual patient needs for continued progress.
- Educate patients and family members regarding diagnosis, injury prevention, therapeutic interventions and appropriate mobility assistance.
- Implement evidence-based practices in treatment approaches, staying current relevant research and best practices.
Physical Therapist
Rady Children's Hospital Of San Diego
07.2006 - 04.2011
- Developed a team approach to patient and family-centered care in a diverse environment.
- Provided care to children in outpatient and inpatient settings including: PICU, HemOnc, Inpatient Rehab, Post-Op Surgical, Cardiac, Gross Motor and Developmental Delay, Torticollis.
- Performed assessments in outpatient multidisciplinary clinic settings: Rehab Follow-Up Clinic, Hemophilia Clinic
- Worked closely with Physiatrists, patients and vendors performing spasticity assessments as part of Intrathecal Baclofen Trial program.
- Performed standardized patient assessments of strength and functional mobility for patients enrolled in an Osteosarcoma Research Study in conjunction with St. Jude
- Evaluated assistive devices such as orthotics or prosthetics to provide recommendations for improved function and comfort.
- Managed high-volume caseload and organized daily schedules of assistants and patients, coordinating with other healthcare providers.
- Managed provision of physical therapy to children with acute and chronic conditions, adapting to complex therapy needs.
- Contributed to the development of facility policies and procedures by participating in quality improvement through a Just Culture initiative to enhance and improve hospital-wide team dynamics.
- Mentored physical therapy students and new physical therapists, promoting collaborative development and professional growth.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive care for children with various developmental and neurological conditions.
- Participated in ongoing continuing education courses to stay current on best practices and emerging research findings.
- Facilitated successful transitions from hospital to home by providing family-centered care and coordinating services with community resources.
Education
Bachelor of Physical Therapy - Physical Therapy
University of Evansville
Evansville, INMaster of Physical Therapy - Physical Therapy
University of Evansville
Evansville, IN05-2006
Skills
- Adept clinical reasoning
- Family-Centered Care
- Adaptive to changing environments and patient needs
- Experience in PICU Up!
- Developmental Assessment Expertise: AIMS, HELP, PDMS-2, BOT-2
- Use of Standardized Testing: 1-MSTST, HGS, Berg Balance Scale, ASIA Exam, MAS, CMAS Scoring
- Adaptive Equipment Management and Acquisition
- Orthotic Evaluation and Recommendations
- Partial Bodyweight Supported gait training- LiteGait
- Aquatherapy
- Wheelchair assessment
- Developing NICU Competency
- Skills in Custom Foot Splint Fabrication for Neonates
- Serial Casting technique for Toe Walking
- Experience in data gathering for Research Studies
- EPIC
- Skilled in MS Office Applications
Certification
- AHA Basic Life Support Certification (BLS) - Current
- Board-Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist 2011-2021
- CPC Certification 2021
- Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program 2010
- CPST with Special Needs Training 2009
Languages
English
Spanish
Timeline
Physical Therapist II
Valley Children's Healthcare
04.2011 - Current
Physical Therapist
Rady Children's Hospital Of San Diego
07.2006 - 04.2011
Bachelor of Physical Therapy - Physical Therapy
University of Evansville
Master of Physical Therapy - Physical Therapy
University of Evansville
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