Therapy Pathways Program - Outpatient - (Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy)

Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital•Grand Rapids, MI

About The Position

The Therapy Pathways Program is a structured career development program for therapists, offering rotational clinical experiences across outpatient and inpatient rehabilitation settings. Participants gain exposure to different patient populations and treatment environments while developing professional skills and interests. Two cohorts are planned annually, with August and December start dates. Rotations are determined by organizational needs and participant interests, and assignments are communicated at least 30 days before each rotation. Potential placements include Mary Free Bed outpatient clinics in West Michigan, adult inpatient rehabilitation, pediatric inpatient rehabilitation, and Trinity acute care. Participants may travel up to 50 miles from the GR Main Campus. Cohorts range from one to three participants based on applicant qualifications. Program completion does not guarantee permanent placement; participants may apply for internal opportunities after six months of service. The therapist evaluates patients’ needs, develops and administers individualized treatment plans, and monitors and revises those plans in accordance with applicable licensure and scope-of-practice requirements. The role includes documentation, patient and family education, interdisciplinary communication, discharge planning, and appropriate delegation to physical therapist assistants and rehabilitation technicians. Therapists are expected to maintain and develop their clinical skills through continuing education, evidence-based research, and program development, and to support the program’s strategic objectives. This is a full-time, day-shift role scheduled for 40 hours per week, generally 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Inpatient rotations include every fourth weekend; outpatient rotations have no weekend work. Starting compensation is $36.54, with eligibility for an increase based on experience. Annual merit increases and medical, dental, and vision benefits are offered. Mary Free Bed is a not-for-profit, nationally accredited rehabilitation hospital serving children and adults through inpatient, outpatient, sub-acute rehabilitation, orthotics and prosthetics, and home and community programs. Its mission is restoring hope and freedom through rehabilitation. The organization describes its culture as focused on patient care, clinical variety and challenge, family culture, mutual trust, and a proud tradition of service. The role requires age-appropriate care and knowledge of growth and development across the lifespan. Employees are expected to follow hospital policies, including confidentiality and infection-control requirements, meet productivity and clinical outcome expectations, demonstrate customer service and teamwork, and adhere to the organization’s standards of behavior. Mary Free Bed is an equal opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodations as required by the ADA.

Requirements

Graduate of a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
Hold and maintain the licensure required in every U.S. state and territory in which the therapist practices, in accordance with applicable state laws.
Possess and maintain BLS certification in accordance with department or program protocol.
Demonstrate competence in software and hardware relevant to the job responsibilities.
Meet the physical demands described for the role, including frequent positioning, frequent communication, and lifting or exerting force at the stated frequencies and weights.

Responsibilities

Provide patient care, treatment, and services within the scope of the therapist’s license, certification, or registration and as required by law and regulation.
Evaluate patient conditions and determine their physical therapy needs.
Establish patient-centered treatment goals with patients, families as appropriate, and the treatment team; document treatment plans and administer treatment to meet those goals.
Delegate responsibilities to physical therapist assistants and rehabilitation technicians as appropriate.
Re-evaluate patients’ status and treatment effects, revise treatment plans as necessary, and review revised goals with patients and families as appropriate.
Assess patients’ medical equipment needs, order appropriate equipment, evaluate equipment upon delivery, and instruct patients, families, and health care workers in its use.
Participate in discharge planning by considering and communicating with patients, families, community support services, and environmental limitations.
Document patient status and progress through evaluations, progress notes, and discharge summaries in accordance with time standards and reimbursement guidelines.
Communicate and coordinate with interdisciplinary team members to integrate physical therapy into overall patient care; participate in conferences and exchange written records as needed.
Provide patient and family education about physical therapy procedures, including written instructions as needed.
Attend designated meetings and in-services.
Follow hospital policies and procedures, including patient confidentiality and infection control.
Meet or exceed program productivity expectations and clinical outcome collection and performance-improvement goals established by department leadership.
Provide discipline-specific coverage within the Mary Free Bed system after cross-training, as requested.
Adhere to Mary Free Bed Standards of Behavior and demonstrate customer service, teamwork, and discretion with confidential information.
Support program operations as assigned.
As needed, participate in orientation and training of new staff; serve as a clinical instructor for physical therapy students; participate in program development or research; and support clinical outcome activities.
Identify quality-improvement problems and seek solutions; contribute to patient and family satisfaction and departmental customer-service monitoring and reporting.
Demonstrate the knowledge and skills needed to provide care appropriate to the ages of patients served and to assess and interpret age-specific patient needs.