Physical Therapist (PT) - Outpatient

Major Responsibilities

• Interprets physician referrals and completes musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary, and/or integumentary evaluations using appropriate methods.
• Demonstrates advanced evaluation, assessment, and treatment skills with complex patients or specific diagnoses/program areas.
• Establishes and implements individualized treatment plans based on evaluation results and functional goals, utilizing appropriate techniques.
• Monitors and evaluates patient outcomes, adjusts treatment plans as needed, and provides status updates to physicians and teammates.
• Identifies and addresses factors affecting patient's physical and psychosocial comfort.
• Advocates for patients by collaborating with physicians and key professionals to resolve potential issues.
• Acts as a department and system-wide resource within the area of Clinical Specialization for treatment plans and outcomes.
• Plans and completes patient discharge, including providing written home programs, patient/family education, community service referrals, and equipment orders.
• Communicates and collaborates with stakeholders to achieve optimum patient care.
• Completes required documentation (evaluations, progress notes, team conference reports, discharge summaries) following department policies and accreditation standards.
• Maintains daily statistics, billing, and scheduling per department policy, adhering to insurance guidelines.
• Maintains site/department productivity standards and serves as a role model in documentation.
• Cleans up after patient treatment, puts away equipment, and keeps the area neat and orderly.
• Performs manual techniques, patient positioning, transferring, and transporting duties, adhering to proper lifting and safety techniques.
• Demonstrates skill in using modalities, exercise equipment, and other devices, understanding indications and contraindications.
• Promotes patient safety by participating in safety initiatives and following infection control measures.
• Acts as a clinical resource, liaising with physicians/program leadership, mentoring staff, and facilitating clinical problem-solving.
• Develops training, clinical guidelines, staff orientation, and educational activities in the area of expertise.
• Promotes and develops rehabilitation programs, leads program/referral development projects, and presents educational programs to the community.
• Collaborates with leadership to develop and upgrade programs and services at the site and system level.
• Participates in performance improvement activities to enhance patient care outcomes and quality of care.
• Manages assigned caseload, assists with coverage as needed, and informs leadership of coverage requirements.
• Pursues professional growth through continuing education, in-services, and reading professional literature.
• Orients new staff to clinical and department policies as requested.
• Participates in the evaluation process of co-workers by providing feedback.
• May supervise physical therapy assistants and extenders (rehab aides/techs), delegating tasks and providing ongoing supervision.
• Supports the student clinical education program by monitoring and providing work direction to students.

Qualifications

• Education: Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy from an accredited school or equivalent based on graduation date.
• Certification / Registration / License:
  • Licensed Physical Therapist in the state of practice.
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers (within 90 days, unless waived by department leader).
  • Certification within an area impacting scope of practice within 18 months, or advanced knowledge as determined by Rehab Leadership.
• Work Experience: 5 years of physical therapy experience (7 years preferred) in a hospital, outpatient, or relevant setting, with clinical expertise in a specialized area.

Skills

• Strong computer skills.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Ability to problem-solve and make independent decisions.
• Good human relations and organizational skills.
• Consistent and dependable work performance.
• Ability to provide age-appropriate care and interpret patient needs relative to age-specific requirements.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, lift, and squat throughout the workday.
• Lift up to 50 lbs. from floor to waist, 10 lbs. from waist to overhead, and carry up to 40 lbs. at waist height.
• Push/pull with 30 lbs. of force and perform sliding transfers of 150 lbs. with assistance.
• Repetitive use of hands for simple grasping (5-15 lbs.) and fine manipulation during massage and joint mobilization.
• Exposed to electrical, chemical, and bloodborne hazards; ability to wear protective clothing as needed.
• May require travel, with potential exposure to road and weather hazards.