Physical Therapist | Acute

Avera Health; Pierre (SD); On-site; USD 54,415 - 81,622; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus up to $20,000

Student Loan Repayment Program

Paid time off (PTO) from day one

Job summary

Avera Health is looking for a dedicated Physical Therapist to join their team at Avera St Mary's Hospital in Pierre, South Dakota. This role includes evaluating and treating patients, developing individualized treatment plans, and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to ensure high-quality patient care.

New graduates and experienced professionals are encouraged to apply, with significant sign-on bonuses available. Avera values compassion and teamwork, ensuring a supportive environment for professional growth and patient care.

Qualifications

• Must be a licensed Physical Therapist with the ability to work specified hours.
• Experience in evaluating patients and developing treatment plans.
• Strong communication skills for interaction with patients and healthcare team.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate assigned patients and develop individualized treatment programs.
• Communicate effectively with patients, families, and team members.
• Provide direct therapy services using functional settings.

Skills

Patient evaluation

Individualized treatment program development

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Effective communication

Education

Active Physical Therapist license

Job description

Location

Avera St Mary's Hospital

Worker Type & Shift

Regular; primarily days with rotating weekends and holidays (United States of America)

Pay Range

$39.50 – $59.25 per hour, depending on experience.

Position Highlights

• New graduates may be eligible for a $15,000 sign‑on bonus.
• Experienced PTs may be eligible for a $20,000 sign‑on bonus.
• Student Loan Repayment Program: each month up to $167 (up to $10,000 total) from Avera to help reduce loan principal.

You Belong at Avera

Be part of a multidisciplinary team built with compassion and the goal of moving health forward for our patients. Work where you matter.

A Brief Overview

Responsible for the daily coordination and delivery of physical therapy services, implementing specific treatment programs for individual patients and patient groups according to the principles and practices of physical therapy and established objectives of the department.

What you will do

• Evaluate assigned patients, gathering data from patient records, interviews, observation, and team members.
• Develop and implement individualized treatment programs for patients needing services.
• Review plan of care with patients and instruct patients, families, and caregivers in home program or exercise as appropriate.
• Use selected activities and/or tasks to promote and maintain health, achieve treatment goals, and modify interventions and strategies based on ongoing evaluation.
• Provide direct therapy services to patients using functional settings and strategies, planning therapy within the patient’s individual physical, emotional, and intellectual capabilities and coordinating with rehabilitation, medical, and nursing care plans.
• Prepare documentation required by the profession and the department, such as evaluation results, individualized treatment plans, progress notes, and other reports.
• Communicate effectively with the patient, family, physician, and other team members about status, progress, and needs; attend care conferences as applicable.
• Establish rapport and work cooperatively with interdisciplinary team members, including family and physicians.
• Enhance professional growth through educational programs, literature, in‑service meetings, workshops, etc.
• Oversee PT assistants, techs, and students efficiently and effectively to ensure safe patient care and smooth departmental operation.
• Maintain knowledge of proper use of equipment for patient care.

Essential Qualifications

Must be able to work the specified hours and perform each essential job function satisfactorily, including sufficient visual acuity and effective communication. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, subject to lack of undue hardship.

Required Education, License/Certification, or Work Experience

• Physical Therapist – active license in the state of practice.

Preferred Education, License/Certification, or Work Experience

• Licensed physical therapist.

Expectations and Standards

Commit to the daily application of Avera’s mission, vision, core values, and social principles; promote compassion, hospitality, and stewardship; uphold communication, attitude, responsiveness, and engagement (CARE) with enthusiasm; maintain confidentiality; work effectively in a team environment; comply with safety principles, laws, regulations, and standards (CMS, Joint Commission, DHHS, OSHA, etc.).

Benefits You Need & Then Some

• Paid time off (PTO) available day one for eligible hires.
• Up to 5% employer matching contribution for retirement.
• Career development guided by hands‑on training and mentorship.
• Additional benefits designed to meet needs today and into the future.

Avera is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other categories protected by law.