Orthopedic Physical Therapist Float

Gaylord Hospital•Wallingford, CT

About The Position

Gaylord Specialty Healthcare is a health system dedicated exclusively to medical rehabilitation, providing inpatient and outpatient care for people throughout recovery from illness or injury. The Orthopedic Physical Therapist Float evaluates patients using accepted professional standards, develops and implements treatment plans, and works to promote patient self-sufficiency. The therapist reassesses treatment effectiveness, educates patients and families, and progresses patients toward goals that support improved independence. This role provides direct patient care across multiple clinical sites according to coverage needs and patient demand. The therapist adapts to each clinic’s workflows, team structure, and patient population, travels to assigned sites, and coordinates patient handoffs at the start and end of assignments. Site assignments and anticipated schedules are communicated in advance whenever possible, though assignment dates and durations may change as staffing needs evolve. The position is full time, 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Location is based on clinic needs. Gaylord Specialty Healthcare’s mission is to enhance health, maximize function, and transform lives, guided by its values of Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence.

Requirements

Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy or eligibility in Physical Therapy.
Current Connecticut Physical Therapy license or eligibility for licensure.
Working knowledge of the principles and techniques of the licensed profession.
Willingness to work at any Gaylord-related facility based on patient care needs and clinical competency.
Ability to apply age-specific considerations and cultural diversity knowledge when interacting with patients, families, and caregivers.

Nice To Haves

Master’s or doctorate degree.
One year of clinical experience.

Responsibilities

Evaluate patients using appropriate testing procedures and accepted professional standards, and provide direct treatment.
Develop patient-centered short- and long-term goals with patients and significant others, estimate the time needed to reach goals, and adjust treatment and goals in response to patient needs and progress.
Consider cultural diversity and population-specific issues in patient care.
Anticipate discharge needs, including equipment, referrals, and patient or significant-other training and education.
Schedule patients according to their needs and service level, meet assigned productivity standards, and use appropriate safety practices.
Complete timely, accurate, concise, legible, and complete evaluations, progress notes, interim and daily documentation, billing, prescriptions, and referrals.
Document progress toward goals, identify variances and treatment plans, and maintain current therapy goals and treatment information for support staff and coverage staff.
Communicate and coordinate with therapists, support staff, medical personnel, nursing, care management, patients, and others involved in care.
Report at patient-focused meetings, keep the supervisor informed of clinical issues, resolve conflicts appropriately, and communicate changes in goals, treatment plans, length of stay, room assignments, and discharge evaluation needs.
Comply with professional ethics, applicable state and federal law, and department and hospital policies and procedures.
Participate in performance improvement, risk management, in-services, rounds, and continuing education; stay knowledgeable about new professional techniques and trends.
Assist with departmental coverage needs and travel to assigned clinical sites, adapting to their workflows, teams, and patient populations.
Coordinate patient handoffs at the beginning and end of coverage assignments and maintain continuity of care during staff absences.
Apply age-specific considerations and cultural diversity knowledge when interacting with patients, families, and caregivers.
Demonstrate Gaylord’s IT IS ICARE values and principles of financial stewardship, and perform other related duties as assigned.