LEAD THERAPIST - MEADOWVIEW THERAPY (FT)

The Lead Therapist is an experienced clinician who provides advanced clinical care while serving as an supporting day-to-day clinic operations and professional practice initiatives within a hospital-based outpatient rehabilitation setting. This role maintains all essential duties and responsibilities of a Staff Therapist while assuming additional leadership responsibilities related to clinic operations support, program development, staff engagement, and clinical education.

The Lead Therapist partners closely with the Outpatient Therapy Manager, Practice Manager, and Clinical Educators to support high-quality care delivery, efficient clinic operations, and a positive clinic culture. This role does not include formal managerial authority but serves as a clinical leader and resource within the assigned clinic.

Essential Duties

Core Responsibilities:

• Perform comprehensive evaluations of patients to assess their physical, cognitive, and functional abilities.
• Develop customized treatment plans that address the patient's unique needs, focusing on improving mobility, strength, coordination, and daily living skills.
• Provide direct therapeutic interventions, including exercises, activities, and use of adaptive equipment to help patients achieve their rehabilitation goals.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including physicians, nurses, and other therapists, to ensure coordinated and effective patient care.
• Educate patients and their families about therapy goals, techniques, and ways to continue progress outside of therapy sessions.
• Monitor and document patient progress, adjusting treatment plans as needed to optimize outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with all healthcare regulations, safety protocols, and documentation standards.
• Supervise and provide guidance to Physical Therapist Assistants and other support staff as needed.
• Meets the following productivity percentage on outpatient and inpatient rehab and Acute: less than or equal to 79.99 (NI), 80-83.99 (meets), greater that 84 (exceeds).
• Participates in Quality Improvement efforts, e.g., Journal Clubs, in-services, Magnet, chart auditing, etc. 
• As a salaried professional, you may be expected to work above your FTE.
• Demonstrates flexibility with assignments within professional scope/duties/licensure.
• Participate in therapy care team meetings, case conferences, and continuing education to stay current with best practices in therapy.
• Patient evaluation, treatment, documentation, and discharge planning
• Adherence to evidence-based practice and departmental standards
• Compliance with regulatory, accreditation, and documentation requirements
• Participation in productivity expectations and quality initiatives

Clinical Leadership & Mentorship

• Serve as a clinical resource and mentor for therapists and assistants at the assigned clinic
• Support consistency in clinical practice, documentation standards, and patient care delivery
• Assist with onboarding and mentorship of new staff in collaboration with Clinical Educators
• Model professional behavior and clinical excellence

Site-Level Operations Support

• Assist with daily clinic operations including patient flow, clinic efficiency, and coordination with front desk staff
• Identify and escalate operational issues to the Practice Manager or Therapy Manager as appropriate
• Support implementation of standardized workflows and operational initiatives at the site level
• Assist with monitoring daily volumes, access, and utilization for the assigned clinic
• Ensures compliance of clinic cleanliness and inventory/supply chain procurement  

(Note: Scheduling, payroll, and timekeeping remain the responsibility of the Practice Manager.)

Program Development & Growth

• Participate in development, implementation, and evaluation of site-specific clinical programs
• Identify opportunities for service growth and innovation at the clinic level
• Support pilot programs and specialty services as directed by leadership
• Collaborate with leadership on referral development efforts specific to the assigned clinic

Education, Engagement & Culture

• Partner with Clinical Educators to support ongoing clinical education, inservices, and competencies
• Support staff engagement initiatives and foster a positive clinic culture
• Serve as a liaison between frontline staff and leadership
• Encourage participation in departmental initiatives such as Journal Club, Magnet, and quality improvement activities

Communication & Collaboration

• Participate in leadership huddles and meetings as requested
• Provide feedback to leadership regarding clinic operations, staff needs, and opportunities for improvement
• Support communication and alignment between clinical staff, front desk teams, and leadership

Non-essential Duties

• Perform administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments, answering phones, and filing paperwork as needed.
• Assist with inventory management by restocking supplies and reporting equipment needs.
• Actively participates in designated marketing programs (inpatient or outpatient)
• Contributes to community health initiatives and educational programs.
• Provide mentorship or support to physical therapy interns or new staff as needed.
• Engage in ongoing professional development through attending workshops, conferences, and other educational opportunities.

Reporting Structure

• Reports to: Outpatient Therapy Manager
• Works closely with: Practice Manager, Clinical Educators, Billing Coordinator

Time Allocation (Guideline)

• 70–80% Direct Patient Care
• 20–30% Leadership, education, and program support

Scope & Authority

• This role does not include formal performance evaluations, payroll approval, or disciplinary authority
• Provides influence-based leadership and supports management decision-making
• Clinical decision-making remains within scope of licensure and departmental standards

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.

Our Commitment to You:

Riverside Healthcare offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and nationally rated employee well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more – so your journey at and away from work is remarkable. Our Total Rewards package includes:

Compensation:

• Base compensation within the position’s pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training
• Premium pay such as shift differential, on-call
• Opportunity for annual increases based on performance

Benefits - .5 to 1.0 FTE:

• Paid Time Off programs
• Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
• Educational Assistance Program

Benefits - .001 to .49 FTE:

• Paid Leave Hours accrued as you work

Required Experience

• Minimum of 3–5 years of outpatient clinical experience
• Demonstrated clinical excellence and leadership potential
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Preferred Experience

• Experience in a hospital-based outpatient setting
• Prior experience mentoring, precepting, or serving in a senior therapist role
• Interest in leadership, program development, and staff engagement

Required Licensure/Education

• Current licensure as a Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, or Speech-Language Pathologist in the state of Illinois

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure to:

• Chemicals: Clorazine, Virex, Germicidal wipes, Liquid paper.
• Video Display Terminals: Average
• Blood and Body Fluids: Overall, there is a minimal risk of exposure to blood and body fluid. Potential risk would be in the event of patient incontinence and open wounds treated in hydrotherapy. There is also some potential for risk in equipment failure such as a catheter or IV breaking.
• TB or Airborne Pathogens: Minimal.

Sensory requirements (speech, vision, smell, hearing, touch):

• Speech: Needed for communication with patients and staff.
• Vision: Needed for reading and patient observation.
• Smell: N/A
• Hearing: Needed for patient communication. 
• Touch: Needed for patient evaluation and treatment, writing.

Activity/Lifting Requirements

Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to:

• Sit: 10%
• Twist: 5%
• Stand: 30%
• Crawl: 0%
• Walk: 30%
• Kneel: 2%
• Lift: 10%
• Drive: 0%
• Squat: 5%
• Climb: 0%
• Bend: 5%
• Reach above shoulders: 5%

The weight required to be lifted each normal workday according to the continuum described below:

• Up to 10 lbs: Occasionally 
• Up to 20 lbs: Occasionally 
• Up to 35 lbs: Occasionally 
• Up to 50 lbs: Occasionally 
• Up to 75 lbs: Occasionally 
• Up to 100 lbs: Not Required 
• Over 100 lbs: Not Required

Describe and explain the lifting and carrying requirements. (Example: the distance material is carried; how high material is lifted, etc.):

Demonstration of proper mechanics for lift/carry; set-up for evaluations, treatment programs.

Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during ring the normal workday for each activity:

• Sit: 60
• Twist: <5>
• Stand: 45
• Crawl: <5>
• Walk: 30
• Kneel: <5>
• Lift: <10>
• Drive: <15>
• Squat: <5>
• Climb: <5>
• Bend: 0
• Reach above shoulders: <5>
• Repetitive use of hands (Frequency indicated):
• Simple grasp up to 15 lbs. Normal weight: Often 
• Pushing &pulling Normal weight: 50-200#
• Fine Manipulation: Key boarding &writing
• Repetitive use of foot or feet in operating machine control:

Environmental Factors & Special Hazards

• Environmental Factors (Time Spent): 
• • Inside hours: 7.5
  • Outside hours : .5
• Temperature: Normal Range Lighting: Average
• Noise levels: Average Humidity: Normal Range 
• Atmosphere:
• Special Hazards: Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical: General use of exercise equipment and computers, modalities. Chemical additives for whirlpools, disinfectants.
• Protective Clothing Required: Gown, gloves or mask when indicated.