Physical Therapist - Per Diem

Responsibilities and Duties

• Provides skilled physical therapy evaluations and treatment for acute care, medical/surgical, Swing Bed, observation, and emergency department patients as appropriate.
• Primarily provides Saturday coverage, ensuring continuity of care for hospitalized patients and completion of weekend evaluations and treatments.
• Prioritizes patient caseload based on medical necessity, physician orders, discharge needs, and rehabilitation potential.
• Performs comprehensive functional mobility assessments including transfers, gait, balance, strength, endurance, fall risk, and equipment needs.
• Develops individualized treatment plans and establishes appropriate short- and long-term functional goals.
• Provides evidence-based interventions including therapeutic exercise, gait training, transfer training, balance activities, neuromuscular re-education, functional mobility training, and patient/caregiver education.
• Recommends appropriate assistive devices, durable medical equipment, and discharge equipment to facilitate safe mobility.
• Collaborates with physicians, nursing, case management, occupational therapy, speech therapy, respiratory therapy, and other disciplines regarding patient progress, discharge recommendations, and ongoing rehabilitation needs.
• Assists with discharge planning by making recommendations regarding home discharge, home health services, outpatient therapy, skilled nursing facility placement, Swing Bed admission, or inpatient rehabilitation as appropriate.
• Completes timely, accurate, and compliant documentation within the electronic medical record.
• Participates in interdisciplinary rounds and communicates changes in patient status or mobility recommendations.
• Educates patients, families, and caregivers regarding mobility, fall prevention, precautions, home exercise programs, and safe discharge planning.
• Demonstrates flexibility in responding to changing patient volumes, urgent therapy consults, and emergency department evaluations.
• Assists with weekend coverage needs to minimize delays in patient progression and discharge.
• Maintains competency in safe patient handling procedures and utilizes appropriate lift equipment.
• Participates in departmental quality improvement initiatives and maintains compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards.
• Maintains current professional licensure and continuing education requirements.

Job Requirements

• Master's, or Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy.
• Current New York State Physical Therapist license.
• Current BLS certification or ability to obtain upon hire.
• Experience in acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing, or Swing Bed rehabilitation preferred.
• Ability to independently evaluate, develop, and implement individualized plans of care.
• Strong clinical decision-making skills and ability to prioritize multiple patients based on medical acuity and discharge needs.
• Excellent communication and interdisciplinary collaboration skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision during weekend coverage.
• Proficiency or willingness to learn hospital electronic medical record systems.