Physical Therapist (PT)- Outpatient

Advocate Health

7d•$41 - $62

About The Position

The Physical Therapist interprets physician referrals and performs musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary, and/or integumentary evaluations. The therapist develops and implements individualized plans of care, monitors patient outcomes, adjusts treatment as needed, and communicates patient status to physicians and other teammates. The position includes outpatient rehabilitation care and one day per week providing physical therapy in the emergency department. Two evening shifts until 7:00 p.m. are required. The therapist plans and completes patient discharges, provides home programs and patient/family education, coordinates referrals and transitions of care, and orders equipment when appropriate. The role includes clinical documentation, billing, scheduling, insurance authorization requirements, caseload management, and maintaining productivity standards. The therapist also supports patient and workplace safety, quality improvement, continuing education, and staff development. Supervision of physical therapy assistants, extenders, or students may be required as described in the posting.

Requirements

Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from an accredited school, or educational requirements commensurate with date of graduation.
Maintain continuing education requirements mandated by applicable state professional standards.
Licensed Physical Therapist in the state where working.
Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification from the American Heart Association, obtained within 90 days unless the department leader determines it is not required.
Intermediate computer skills.
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
Demonstrated organization, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
Successfully complete competency assessments and requirements for patient care consistent with site standards.
Maintain annual educational requirements for hospital-based certifications, such as DNV or CARF, as applicable.
Demonstrate knowledge and skills to provide age-appropriate care, including knowledge of growth and development across the lifespan and the ability to assess and interpret patient-specific information.
Ability to sit, stand, walk, lift, and squat throughout the workday.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds from floor to waist and up to 10 pounds from waist to overhead; ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds at waist height a reasonable distance.
Ability to push or pull with 30 pounds of force and perform a sliding transfer of 150 pounds with a second person present.
Ability to perform repetitive hand use, including simple grasping, pushing/pulling, and fine manipulation during massage and joint mobilization.
Functional use of senses to communicate effectively.
Ability to wear protective clothing as needed due to exposure to electrical and chemical hazards and blood and body fluids.
Ability to operate all equipment necessary to perform the job.

Responsibilities

Interpret physician referrals and complete appropriate patient evaluations.
Establish and implement individualized plans of care based on evaluations and functional goals.
Monitor and evaluate outcomes, adjust treatment plans based on patient response, and provide updates to physicians and teammates.
Identify and address factors affecting patients’ physical and psychosocial comfort.
Plan and complete patient discharges, including home programs, patient/family teaching, community referrals, care transitions, and equipment orders as appropriate.
Communicate and collaborate with stakeholders to support optimal patient care.
Complete required evaluations, progress notes, team conference reports, discharge summaries, and other documentation in accordance with department policy and accreditation standards.
Record patient care and progress; complete daily statistics, billing, and scheduling; apply insurance authorization and visit guidelines; and follow productivity, billing, and documentation requirements.
Clean treatment areas, put away equipment, and maintain an orderly work area.
Perform manual techniques, patient positioning, transfers, and transportation duties using proper techniques.
Use available modalities, exercise equipment, and other devices appropriately and understand their indications and contraindications.
Promote patient safety and follow applicable safety and infection-control measures.
Participate in performance improvement activities to resolve care issues and improve quality.
Manage an assigned caseload, communicate coverage needs to site leadership, and assist with coverage based on department and regional needs.
Pursue professional growth through continuing education, department in-services, and professional literature.
Orient new staff to clinical and department policies as requested and provide requested feedback in the evaluation of coworkers.
May supervise physical therapy assistants, including delegation, direction, treatment recommendations, and ongoing supervision while retaining responsibility for patient plans of care and goals.
May supervise physical therapy extenders and teach them appropriate patient-specific techniques.
May supervise physical therapy students after completing one year of clinical experience.