Physical Therapist (PT) - Inpatient

Advocate Health • Milwaukee, WI

2d • $41 - $62

About The Position

The Physical Therapist provides inpatient acute care rehabilitation services in a float service line. The role evaluates patients, develops and implements individualized plans of care, monitors treatment outcomes, and collaborates with physicians, teammates, patients, and families to support effective care and discharge planning. The position also completes required clinical and administrative documentation, follows billing and safety policies, manages an assigned caseload, and contributes to quality improvement and professional development. The therapist may supervise physical therapy assistants, extenders, and students as permitted by applicable requirements.

This is a full-time position scheduled for 36 hours per week, primarily on days Monday through Friday, with specific days to be determined. The schedule includes three weekend shifts per four-week rotation and one holiday per year. The listed pay range is $41.10–$61.65.

The position requires a Doctorate in Physical Therapy (or education commensurate with the date of graduation), a license to practice as a Physical Therapist in the state of employment, and Basic Life Support certification for Healthcare Providers from the American Heart Association within 90 days unless the department leader determines it is not required. No prior experience is required. Physical demands include sitting, standing, walking, lifting, squatting, pushing, pulling, and patient transfers. The role may involve exposure to electrical and chemical hazards, blood and body fluids, and travel-related road and weather hazards.

Requirements

• Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from an accredited school, or education commensurate with the date of graduation.
• Maintain continuing education requirements mandated by applicable state professional standards.
• Physical Therapist license in the state where employed.
• Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers certification from the American Heart Association, obtained within 90 days unless the department leader determines it is not required.
• No experience required.
• Intermediate computer skills.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated organizational, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Successfully complete competency assessments and requirements related to patient care and site standards.
• Maintain annual educational requirements for hospital-based certifications, such as DNV or CARF, as applicable.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills needed to provide age-appropriate patient care, including life-span growth and development principles and the ability to assess and interpret patient information in relation to age-specific needs.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, lift, and squat throughout the workday.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds from floor to waist, lift up to 10 pounds from waist to overhead, and 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 and pulling, and fine hand 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, when appropriate, and perform musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary, and/or integumentary evaluations using appropriate methods.
• Develop and implement individualized plans of care based on evaluation results and functional goals, monitor outcomes, adjust treatment as needed, and provide status updates to physicians and teammates.
• Identify and address factors affecting patients’ physical and psychosocial comfort.
• Plan and complete patient discharges, including home programs, patient and family education, community-service referrals, transition planning, and equipment orders as appropriate.
• Communicate and collaborate with relevant stakeholders to support optimum patient care.
• Complete required documentation in accordance with department policy and accreditation standards, including evaluations, progress notes, team conference reports, and discharge summaries as appropriate.
• Record patient care and progress; complete daily statistics, billing, and scheduling; apply insurance authorization and visit guidelines; and follow productivity standards and billing and documentation policies and timelines.
• Clean and put away equipment after treatment and keep the work area neat and orderly.
• Perform manual techniques, patient positioning, transfers, and transport using proper technique; use available modalities, exercise equipment, and other devices in accordance with department orientation and knowledge of indications and contraindications.
• Promote patient safety and follow applicable safety and infection-control measures.
• Participate in performance-improvement activities and manage 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 as requested; and provide coworker evaluation feedback as requested.
• May supervise physical therapy assistants, delegate patients to assistive personnel, and provide direction and ongoing supervision while retaining responsibility for patient plans of care and goals.
• May supervise physical therapy extenders and teach them appropriate techniques for specific patients.
• May supervise physical therapy students after completing one year of clinical experience.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off programs
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and short- and long-term disability benefits
• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
• Adoption assistance and paid parental leave
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
• Educational Assistance Program
• Premium pay, such as shift and on-call pay, based on the teammate’s job
• Incentive pay for select positions
• Opportunity for annual increases based on performance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree