Joseph Zacher
Vancouver,WA
Summary
Dynamic therapist with expertise in neurological and orthopedic conditions, primarily in outpatient settings. Proven ability to motivate patients and colleagues, enhancing overall therapeutic outcomes. Committed to continuous improvement through education and data analysis, focusing on effective pain management strategies. Skilled in mindfulness techniques and conflict resolution, facilitating client goal-setting and action planning.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Exercise Specialist PRN
The Stephen A. Orthwein Center at Paraquad
Saint Louis , MO
04.2024 - Current
- Designed personalized exercise programs for diverse client needs.
- Educated clients on proper exercise techniques and safety practices.
- Collaborated with healthcare professionals to support client rehabilitation plans.
- Led group exercise classes to promote community engagement and fitness awareness.
- Trained staff on best practices in exercise programming and client interaction.
Outpatient Physical Therapist
Mercy South Hospital
Saint Louis , MO
01.2024 - Current
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to optimize patient care strategies.
- Instructed patients in the use of assistive devices such as wheelchairs, crutches, walkers and prostheses.
- Provided therapeutic exercises to improve strength, flexibility, coordination, balance, posture and range of motion.
Clinical Director
Proactive Physical Therapy Specialists
Vancouver, WA
01.2023 - Current
- Improve policies and procedures through development, implementation, revision and evaluation of new protocols.
- Interviewed applicants and made recommendations for new hires.
- Recruited individuals bringing talent, well-developed skills sets and passion for helping others, effectively building exceptionally gifted team of personnel.
- Provided onboarding and coaching to new hires to help each feel comfortable in job positions and prepared to handle various responsibilities.
- Coordinated weekly work schedules for department employees.
Life Skills Coach
Private Client
Vancouver, WA
07.2022 - Current
- Helped clients to build and recognize strengths and self-worth.
- Conducted life skills evaluations and set client goals based on abilities.
- Delivered positive reinforcement to adult learners to overcome obstacles and become more confident.
- Education and coordination of daily routines and HEP,
- Promotion of community based outings, integration of therapy into community based gym program,
- Assisted with integration of therapeutic goals into life style changes and motivational coaching to assist in improving independence with ADLs and gait within the home.
Physical Therapist
Boomerang Therapy Works
Vancouver, WA
10.2020 - 06.2022
- Specialized in Outpatient Neuro-Rehab, Parkinson's Wellness and Exercise classes, and Cognitive Duel tasking Training.
- Instructed patients on proper hygiene, nutrition, exercise, lifestyle changes and ergonomic factors in daily activities.
- Facilitated ADLs and assisted patients with functional mobility to increase comfort and quality of life.
- Motivated and facilitated patients' adjustment to assistive devices by administering manual exercise and performing equipment demonstrations.
- Assisted patients with debilitating conditions such as sports injuries, head injuries, and strokes.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of Medicare and other reimbursement regulations.
- Worked closely with Orthotic and Prosthetic companies to assist with proper care and ensure safe and most productive bracing/ prosthetic care for a variant of different Diagnoses.
Physical Therapist
Mercy Hospital Saint Louis
Saint Louis , MO
12.2016 - 07.2020
- Identified and properly documented patient goals, evaluated progress and planned reevaluation according to Medicare and state guidelines
- Reduced pain and promote healing in patients by administering therapeutic treatments such as Gait training for those suffering from neurological conditions and amputations, Vestibular rehab treating those with concussions and Vertigo.
- Created individualized home exercise programs for outpatient therapy clients to improve health and wellness, as well as personalize gym programs for patients to before in a health and wellness center independently.
- Directed patients/ Caregivers/ and families in prescribed range of motion exercises and proper usage of braces or artificial limbs.
- Adhered to healthcare documentation protocol in charing patients' progress and updating departmental records using Epic.
- Motivated and facilitated patients' adjustment to assistive devices including Orthotic and Prosthetics and electro prosthetics such as bioness and walk aid, lite gait devices, various prosthetics and assistive devices by administering manual exercise and performing equipment demonstrations.
- Collaborated with practitioners by recording and sharing physical therapy outcomes and recommending modifications to treatment plans.
- Directly supervised 2 Physical Therapy Aides and managed caseload of 30-40 patients.
- Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of lite gait training, wheel chair management and adaptive equipment knowledge, and working with vendors to achieve most
Rehab Technician
Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital
Saint Louis , MO
01.2010 - 12.2016
- Helped patients perform daily living activities, such as dressing, grooming and eating as part of overall therapy plan.
- Maintained and stocked equipment used in physical therapy and occupational therapy treatment areas.
- Delivered hands-on assistance to physical or occupational therapists in conducting in-patient treatment.
- Triaged new therapy requests and prioritized and scheduled for optimum treatment and recovery.
- Performed non-clinical functions, including answering phones, scheduling, collecting payments and transporting patients.
- Frequently checked up on patients and offered patients assistance on using the equipment.
- Assisted therapists in carrying out and improving treatment programs to provide optimal patient services.
Rehabilitation Technician
The Rehabilitation Institute of St. Louis
Saint Louis , MO
06.2012 - 08.2015
- Performed operational duties such as answering the phone, copying documents and updating schedule boards.
- Transferred and transported patients from one area to another area.
- Monitored and assisted both occupational and physical therapists during treatments.
- Frequently checked up on patients and offered patients assistance on using the equipment.
- Taught pool exercise classes in order to improve strength, flexibility, and joint health for those suffering from arthritis and osteoporosis.
- Help with direct patient care during day treatment program for those recovering from neurological trauma or disease.
- Recognized by management for providing exceptional customer service.
- Improved customer satisfaction by finding creative solutions to problems.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Health Sciences
Maryville University of Saint Louis
St Louis, MO05.2014
Doctorate of Physical Therapy -
Maryville University of Saint Louis
St Louis, MO12.2016
Skills
- Mindfulness Coach / Duel Tasking Focused Therapist
- APTA CERTIFIED CI
- Rehabilitative gait training for amputees, those suffering from neurological diseases both chronic, acute, and sub acute care
- Low-vision rehabilitation, Vestibular therapy trained, confident in post concussion rehab
- Assistive gait technology including Bracing and electro orthotics such as bioness and walk aid
- Pain Management and Chronic Pain experience,
- Excellent customer support and patient satisfaction scores
- Highly motivating and focused on integrated medicine with a large care team
Timeline
Exercise Specialist PRN
The Stephen A. Orthwein Center at Paraquad
04.2024 - Current
Outpatient Physical Therapist
Mercy South Hospital
01.2024 - Current
Clinical Director
Proactive Physical Therapy Specialists
01.2023 - Current
Life Skills Coach
Private Client
07.2022 - Current
Physical Therapist
Boomerang Therapy Works
10.2020 - 06.2022
Physical Therapist
Mercy Hospital Saint Louis
12.2016 - 07.2020
Rehabilitation Technician
The Rehabilitation Institute of St. Louis
06.2012 - 08.2015
Rehab Technician
Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital
01.2010 - 12.2016
Bachelor of Science - Health Sciences
Maryville University of Saint Louis
Doctorate of Physical Therapy -
Maryville University of Saint Louis