Compassionate Hospice PT - Home Visits

Stillwater Hospice, LLC; Rapid City (SD); On-site; USD 206,640 - 275,520; Part time

Job summary

Stillwater Hospice, LLC is seeking a Contract Hospice Physical Therapist to provide occasional, home-based visits in and around Rapid City, SD. The role focuses on comfort, safety, and preservation of function at end of life, with collaborative planning alongside the hospice interdisciplinary team.

The position offers compensation per visit or per evaluation/treatment, with a flexible, PRN/contract arrangement, and requires SD PT licensure, prior hospice or geriatric experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Current, unrestricted Physical Therapist license in South Dakota.
• Graduation from an accredited Physical Therapy program.
• Minimum 1–2 years of clinical PT experience; hospice, home health, or geriatric experience preferred.
• Understanding of hospice philosophy and goals of care, with a patient‑ and family‑centered approach.
• Strong communication, teaching, and interpersonal skills; ability to work compassionately with patients and families facing serious illness.
• Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, and appropriate auto insurance for travel to patient homes in the Rapid City area.
• Ability to work independently in the field, manage a flexible and intermittent caseload, and complete timely documentation.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive initial physical therapy assessments in the patient’s home, focusing on pain, mobility, functional abilities, and safety.
• Develop and document comfort‑oriented therapy plans of care that support hospice goals (e.g., positioning, transfers, gentle mobility, energy conservation).
• Provide limited, goal‑directed treatment interventions as clinically indicated (e.g., gentle range of motion, positioning strategies, transfer training).
• Educate patients and family caregivers on safe body mechanics, positioning, transfers, use of assistive devices, fall prevention, and strategies to maximize comfort and dignity.
• Collaborate with the hospice team (RN case managers, medical director, social workers, aides, chaplains) to ensure therapy recommendations align with the patient’s goals of care.
• Reassess patients as needed to modify the plan of care in response to changes in comfort, function, or safety.
• Accurately document assessments, plans, visits, and recommendations in accordance with agency policy, professional standards, and applicable regulations.
• Communicate significant changes in patient condition or needs promptly to the hospice nurse case manager and/or physician.
• Adhere to hospice philosophy, emphasizing quality of life, symptom relief, and support for patients and families.

Education

Graduation from an accredited Physical Therapy program

Minimum 1–2 years of clinical PT experience

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Patient‑ and family‑centered approach

Ability to work independently with flexible, intermittent caseload

Job description

Stillwater Hospice, LLC is seeking a Contract Hospice Physical Therapist to provide occasional, home-based visits in and around Rapid City, SD. The role focuses on comfort, safety, and preservation of function at end of life, with collaborative planning alongside the hospice interdisciplinary team.

The position offers compensation per visit or per evaluation/treatment, with a flexible, PRN/contract arrangement, and requires SD PT licensure, prior hospice or geriatric experience preferred.