Physical Therapist - Inpatient - Per Diem
About The Position
The Physical Therapist provides inpatient physical therapy at Cayuga Medical Center. The role evaluates patient appropriateness for therapy, develops and adjusts person- and goal-centered plans of care, and uses evidence-based practice to guide clinical decisions and therapy intensity. The therapist assesses patient response to interventions, documents clinical decisions, and coordinates care with patients, families, caregivers, and the interdisciplinary team. The position also supports safe patient movement and handling, discharge planning, equipment selection, and caregiver training. It is per diem, with weekday coverage and rotating weekend coverage once per month. The therapist may be scheduled during various shifts to support departmental coverage needs. The position is onsite at Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca, New York, with 0% to 5% local travel potentially expected.
Requirements
- Successful completion of an accredited physical therapy program at the bachelor's, master's, or doctorate level.
- Current New York State Physical Therapy license.
- Current CPR certification.
- Ability to move or lift patients with assistance.
- Ability to use hands and fingers repetitively, such as when using a computer keyboard.
- Ability to sit, walk, or stand for long periods.
- Ability to physically operate equipment used for the job.
- Must complete yearly mandatory safety trainings and e-learning courses.
Nice To Haves
- Problem-solving skills.
- Attention to detail.
- Time-management skills.
- Flexibility in prioritizing and adjusting workload.
- Good written and oral communication skills.
Responsibilities
- Review patient charts and determine appropriateness for physical therapy.
- Select appropriate examinations, integrate findings into a comprehensive, person- and goal-centered plan of care, and use evidence-based practice to guide clinical decisions and therapy intensity.
- Assess patient responses to interventions and adjust interventions and plans of care as appropriate.
- Communicate with patients and families or caregivers using an approach suited to their age, learning style, cognition, and culture; provide education with compassion.
- Communicate patient physical therapy needs and barriers to the interdisciplinary team to facilitate throughput, and maintain professional communication with team members, including during challenging or crucial conversations.
- Identify relative and absolute contraindications to physical therapy using the medical record and patient presentation; assess the patient and environment for safe-movement barriers.
- Maintain expertise in the use of safe patient-handling equipment.
- Progress interventions toward patient goals, reassess progress, and adjust the plan of care.
- Produce clear, defensible documentation supporting clinical decision-making and determine when immediate communication beyond documentation is needed for safe, coordinated care.
- Use the patient's life context and current functional status to determine discharge destination, support level, additional services, and follow-up needs.
- Determine equipment needs and provide caregiver training as appropriate.
- Complete yearly mandatory safety trainings and e-learning courses.
- Provide weekday coverage with rotating weekend coverage once per month and support coverage needs during various shifts.
Benefits
- Competitive wages.
- Comprehensive benefits.
- Professional development opportunities.
- Per diem incentive.
