Physical Therapist - Per Diem

Hospital for Special Care•New Britain, CT

1d•$43 - $66•Onsite

About The Position

The Physical Therapist evaluates, plans, implements, and documents goal-oriented physical therapy interventions to support patients’ optimal musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary, integumentary, and overall physical function and health. The role participates in an interdisciplinary team, shares relevant information, and provides education to staff, patients, and families as needed. It also supervises and directs physical therapy assistants, rehabilitation aides, volunteers, and affiliate physical therapy and physical therapist assistant students. The therapist evaluates and treats cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal, and neurological impairments in accordance with state practice and licensure requirements. They establish measurable goals with patients and families, plan and deliver care using appropriate therapeutic modalities, revise treatment as needed, support discharge planning, coordinate schedules and delegated support, and maintain timely documentation. The role requires professional communication with patients, families, health care team members, supervisors, and students, using AIDET principles. This is a per diem, first-shift position in Outpatient Services at Hospital for Special Care, with 0 scheduled weekly hours. Work is primarily indoors and involves continuous interaction with others, a frequently noisy and somewhat crowded setting, and exposure to body fluids, contagious disease, blood-borne pathogens, and some treatment-related agents. The physical demands include prolonged standing or walking, patient transfers and repositioning, lifting and pushing or pulling, bending and reaching, and the ability to tolerate shoulder-depth water submersion for one to three hours.

Requirements

Graduate from an accredited physical therapy program with at least a baccalaureate, master’s, or doctorate degree, as permitted by the Physical Therapy Practice Act.
Current Connecticut licensure.
Valid driver’s license.
Ability to tolerate up to four hours of consecutive work, including standing or walking and occasional sitting.
Ability to safely transfer patients and provide contact guarding or hands-on assistance.
Ability to lift or carry up to 10 pounds continuously, up to 50 pounds frequently, and over 75 pounds occasionally for patient transfers or repositioning.
Ability to push or pull over 60 pounds frequently throughout the day for patient transport.
Ability to bend and reach frequently and occasionally climb, squat, kneel, or crawl to access equipment and provide treatment.
Functional fine and gross motor skills and upper-extremity sensation; intact vision for observing nonverbal responses and assessing skin.
Ability to initiate and interpret communication with patients and others.
Ability to tolerate submersion in water up to shoulder depth for one to three hours.
Independent problem identification, abstract reasoning, adaptability, and quick decision-making.
Clinical judgment to analyze and synthesize information, interpret medical history and evaluation data, determine prognosis and plan of care, select interventions, and modify care to patient needs.
Strong writing proficiency, working knowledge of medical terminology, and the ability to learn new techniques and apply theory to functional contexts.
Strong communication skills, including explaining complex ideas, negotiation, active listening, dialogue with multiple parties, and adapting communication to the listener.
Ability to perform arithmetic operations, including calculations with fractions, ratios, rates, percentages, and American monetary units.
Working knowledge of current Medicare documentation and billing requirements; outpatient therapists must also know relevant requirements for other payers.
Basic computer skills for scheduling, billing, and other patient-related activities.
Ability to work primarily indoors, around others continuously, and in noisy and somewhat crowded settings.
Ability to work with frequent and often unpredictable schedule fluctuations, including needs related to weekend therapy coverage.
Ability to work with exposure to body fluids, contagious disease, and blood-borne pathogens, and occasional exposure to particles, chemicals, chlorinated pool water, and electromagnetic, electrical, ultrasonic, or thermal agents.

Nice To Haves

Current CPR certification.
Member of the American Physical Therapy Association.
MHS or doctorate in Physical Therapy.

Responsibilities

Evaluate and treat cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal, and neurological impairments in accordance with state practice and licensure requirements.
Assess patients, recognize physiological, psychological, and age-related changes, consult with health care team members, and establish measurable goals with patients and families.
Plan, implement, deliver, and delegate patient care using appropriate therapeutic modalities and interventions; revise treatment as needed.
Instruct patients and families using verbal, written, and audiovisual materials.
Participate in discharge planning and recommend community resources to meet patient needs across the continuum of care.
Coordinate schedules and time management for self and support personnel to meet patient care needs, productivity requirements, and department goals.
Collaborate with team members for assistance and coverage, and supervise responsibilities delegated to supportive personnel.
Document patient and professional interactions promptly, including evaluations, assessments, progress toward goals, equipment purchase orders, statistical reports, home programs, and discharge summaries.
Communicate appropriately with patients, families, health care team members, supervisors, and students, demonstrating professionalism and using AIDET principles.
Supervise and direct physical therapy assistants, rehabilitation aides, volunteers, and affiliate physical therapy and physical therapist assistant students.
Provide education to staff, patients, and families as needed.