Full Time Physical Therapist

St. Luke's University Health Network•Pottsville, PA

About The Position

The Physical Therapist evaluates, diagnoses, and manages patients with physical impairments and functional limitations to maximize their functional abilities. The role designs and implements individualized treatment plans based on each patient’s goals and needs, and educates patients and their families about preventing or managing conditions to promote health and wellness. New graduates are welcome, and mentorship is available. The position also contributes to department programs, quality improvement, professional development, and staff education. The therapist may supervise Physical Therapy Assistants, students, and observers as assigned, and performs related duties as needed.

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 or equivalent, required upon hire or to be obtained within 30 days of hire.
Current Physical Therapist license in Pennsylvania or New Jersey, depending on work location.
Successful completion of required affiliations.
CPR certification.
Ability to sit for up to 90 minutes at a time and stand for 30 to 45 minutes consecutively.
Ability to manipulate machine dials using hands and fingers; occasionally stoop, bend, squat, crouch, kneel, and reach above shoulder level.
Ability to lift and move patients 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 general vision, depth perception, and peripheral vision.

Nice To Haves

New graduates are welcome; mentorship is available.

Responsibilities

Perform comprehensive initial evaluations, identify functional deficits, and develop treatment plans to improve movement, manage pain, restore function, and prevent disability.
Provide skilled interventions tailored to patient needs and preferences using appropriate techniques, modalities, and equipment.
Collaborate with patients to establish short- and long-term goals.
Communicate effectively and respectfully with patients, families, and other health care providers while ensuring informed consent, confidentiality, and cultural sensitivity.
Manage patients through direct or indirect treatment or referral to another provider as appropriate.
Establish and update diagnoses, prognoses, and plans of care using available evidence and clinical reasoning.
Review and document patient medical records and history, evaluation findings, treatment plans, responses to treatment, and changes in status.
Educate patients and family members about prognosis and care options.
Assist with 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, PT and PTA students, and observers as assigned.
Maintain confidentiality and comply with information-release procedures, Network and departmental policies, safety requirements, and professional ethical, legal, and regulatory standards.
Demonstrate service excellence, performance improvement, and financial responsibility in daily work.
Demonstrate assessment, treatment, growth-and-development, and communication competency appropriate to the ages of patients treated.
Attend designated or requested meetings, including multidisciplinary meetings as applicable.
Accurately bill patient accounts for services rendered.
Provide in-services to Physical Therapy 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.