Full Time Physical Therapist, Pediatrics

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

12d•$77,850 - $124,560

About The Position

The Physical Therapist evaluates, diagnoses, and manages patients with physical impairments and functional limitations to maximize their functional abilities. The therapist designs and implements individualized treatment plans that address each patient’s goals and needs, and educates patients and families about preventing or managing conditions to promote health and wellness. This position provides pediatric physical therapy in an outpatient setting. The therapist collaborates with patients on goals, monitors treatment progress and outcomes, maintains accurate medical records and billing, and works with families and other health care providers. The role also includes supporting department programs and quality improvement, providing staff in-services, and supervising Physical Therapy Assistants and students when assigned.

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.
Work within the physical therapy practice guidelines established by applicable state law.
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 minutes consecutively.
Ability to manipulate machine dials with 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 vision sufficient for general vision, depth perception, and peripheral vision.

Responsibilities

Perform comprehensive initial evaluations, identify functional deficits, and develop treatment plans.
Provide skilled interventions tailored to each patient’s 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, maintaining informed consent, confidentiality, and cultural sensitivity.
Manage patients to improve mobility, reduce or manage pain, restore function, and prevent disability through direct or indirect treatment or referral as appropriate.
Establish and update diagnoses, prognoses, and plans of care using available evidence and clinical reasoning.
Review and document medical history, evaluation findings, treatment plans, responses, and changes in patient 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.
Share clinical knowledge and techniques to improve patient care.
Supervise Physical Therapy Assistants, PT and PTA students, and observers as assigned.
Maintain confidentiality and comply with network and departmental policies, safety requirements, ethical standards, and regulatory requirements.
Demonstrate service excellence, performance improvement, and financial accountability in daily work.
Demonstrate assessment, treatment, growth-and-development, and communication competency appropriate to the patient’s age.
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.