Full Time Physical Therapist, Pediatrics

St. Luke’s University Health Network•Phillipsburg, NJ

11d

About The Position

The Physical Therapist evaluates, diagnoses, and manages pediatric patients with physical impairments and functional limitations to maximize functional abilities. The therapist designs and implements individualized treatment plans based on each patient’s goals and needs, and educates patients and families about preventing or managing conditions to promote health and wellness. The role includes clinical care, documentation, collaboration with patients and healthcare providers, supervision of assistants and students, and participation in department operations and quality improvement.

Requirements

Doctoral, master’s, or bachelor’s degree from an accredited physical therapy program, or a physical therapy certificate.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association (AHA) or equivalent, required upon hire or to be obtained within 30 days of hire.
Current Physical Therapist license in Pennsylvania or New Jersey, based on work location.
Work within the practice guidelines defined by Pennsylvania or New Jersey state law, based on work location.
Successful completion of required affiliations.
At least one year of experience as a physical therapist in an outpatient setting.
CPR certification.
Ability to sit for up to 90 minutes at a time and stand for 30 to 45 consecutive minutes.
Ability to manipulate machine dials, occasionally stoop, bend, squat, crouch, kneel, and reach above shoulder level.
Ability to lift and move patients weighing up to 50 pounds and push or pull patients weighing up to 50 pounds.
Tactile sensation sufficient to assess muscle spasms, texture, and skin temperature; hearing sufficient for normal conversation; and vision sufficient for general vision, depth perception, and peripheral vision.

Responsibilities

Perform comprehensive initial evaluations, identify functional deficits, and develop treatment plans to improve mobility, manage pain, restore function, and prevent disability.
Provide skilled interventions tailored to patients’ needs and preferences using appropriate techniques, modalities, and equipment.
Collaborate with patients to create short- and long-term goals.
Communicate effectively and respectfully with patients, families, and other healthcare providers, ensuring informed consent, confidentiality, and cultural sensitivity.
Manage patients through direct or indirect treatment, or refer them to another provider as appropriate.
Establish and update diagnoses, prognoses, and plans of care based on available evidence and clinical reasoning.
Review and document patient medical history, evaluation findings, treatment plans, responses to treatment, and changes in status.
Educate patients and family members about prognosis and care options.
Assist in developing and implementing department programs.
Participate in quality improvement initiatives, continuing education, and professional development.
Monitor and document patient progress, outcomes, and satisfaction with services.
Share clinical knowledge and new techniques to improve patient care.
Supervise Physical Therapy Assistants as assigned, and supervise PT and PTA students and observers as assigned.
Maintain confidentiality and comply with information-release requirements, network and departmental policies, safety requirements, ethical and regulatory standards, and attendance and dress-code policies.
Demonstrate service excellence, performance improvement, and financial responsibility in daily work.
Provide age-appropriate assessment, treatment, knowledge of growth and development, and communication.
Attend meetings as designated or requested, including multidisciplinary meetings as applicable.
Accurately bill patient accounts for services rendered.
Provide in-services to PT department staff and others.
Participate in quality improvement data collection and planning.
Clean and order supplies as assigned by the facility director.
Perform other related duties as assigned, such as peer record review.