Physical Therapy Specialist - Emergency Department
Emergency Department – Chicago, IL – Full-time, on-site position (40 hours per week, day shift).
About the Organization
The University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (UI Health) provides comprehensive care, education, and research to the people of Illinois and beyond. A part of the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), UI Health comprises a clinical enterprise that includes a Joint Commission-accredited tertiary care hospital, outpatient clinics, and the Mile Square Health Center network of federally qualified health centers. It also includes the seven UIC health science colleges: the College of Applied Health Sciences; the College of Dentistry; the School of Public Health; the Jane Addams College of Social Work; and the Colleges of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Nursing, with regional campuses in Peoria, Quad Cities, Rockford, Springfield, and Urbana. UI Health is dedicated to the pursuit of health equity.
About the Role
The Physical Therapist Specialist is responsible for the provision of physical therapy services within their individual scope of clinical competence, including:
- Examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, and development and implementation of a plan of care that includes direct intervention, communication, collaboration, and patient education
- Evaluation of outcomes and upholding professional standards while promoting quality in practice
- Full responsibility for the physical therapy management of their patients
- Maintaining competency and further development of clinical skills
- Supervising physical therapy students and teaching specialty skills to other staff and students
- Sharing physical therapy expertise and participating in the development of the role of physical therapy throughout the health system and within the community
- Supervising students in clinical fieldwork
- Administrative tasks related to patient care services and regulatory/organizational compliance
- Serving as administrative backup when the Coordinator, Assistant Director, or Director are not on site
The PT Specialist acts as a positive team influencer and a “go-to” resource for clinical specialty assistance, departmental administrative tasks, and team/department/hospital projects. The role requires advanced certifications, participation in professional activities (e.g., publications or presentations), and active engagement in departmental advancement activities such as committee or project work.
Responsibilities
- Direct Patient Care: Time spent with patients, including all direct interventions and patient education integrated into treatment sessions
- Indirect Patient Care (IPC): Time spent on chart review, documentation (patient care and related), scheduling, attending team or family meetings and rounds, ordering equipment, and assisting other staff
- Assisting other team members, the department, or organization with identified projects
- Serving as a clinical resource for other therapy staff
- Academic and clinical teaching, including daily sheets, case presentations, staff meetings, block meetings, committee meetings, and providing in-services
- Performing other related duties and participating in special projects as assigned
Requirements
- Current licensure as a Physical Therapist in Illinois from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation at time of employment
- Three (3) years (36 months) of professional clinical experience with a minimum of two years in their clinical specialty area
- Possession of a current/valid American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support CPR Certification
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience providing physical therapy services in an Emergency Department setting, or a combination of inpatient and outpatient care with a focus on urgent or same-day care management
- Experience or training with the vestibular population
Benefits
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Life insurance
- Retirement plan
- Paid time off
- Tuition waivers for employees and dependents
Pay
$81,931.20 – $157,310.40 per year