Physical Therapist - Acute Care - Rehab Services

Ochsner Health System; Werner Park (LA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Ochsner Health System seeks an inpatient physical therapist to evaluate patients and design treatment programs based on physician orders. The role involves collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to coordinate post-acute or home care and reviewing patient progress to adjust plans as needed.

Requirements include a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy and an active PT license or eligibility. BLS certification is also required to ensure patient safety and care quality in the hospital setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in physical therapy required.
• Current physical therapy license or eligibility for licensure by examination or reciprocity.
• BLS certification from the American Heart Association.

Responsibilities

• Performs evaluations and provides inpatient PT treatment programs based on physician orders.
• Collaborates with the healthcare team to facilitate appropriate post-acute or home care.
• Maintains patient records according to standards and procedures.
• Ensures treatment protocols support hospital quality and safety targets.
• Adapts communication and care to diverse patient populations.
• Stays compliant with applicable laws, regulations, and company standards.
• Travel between facilities as needed.

Skills

Computers & software proficiency

Verbal & written communication

Judgment & decision-making

Interpersonal skills

Travel between facilities

Education

Bachelor’s degree in physical therapy

Job description

This job evaluates patients and provides inpatient physical therapy treatment programs based upon Physician orders from inpatient providers. Collaborates and communicates with the healthcare team to facilitate the patient to the most appropriate level of post‑acute or home care to achieve identified patient specific goals. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties. This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all‑inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at the company’s discretion.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in physical therapy.

Work Experience

• None.

Certifications

• Current physical therapy license in state of practice OR eligibility for licensure by examination OR reciprocity from another state.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) from the American Heart Association.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

• Proficiency in using computers, software, and web‑based applications.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills and ability to present information clearly and professionally to varying levels of individuals throughout the patient care process.
• Excellent judgment and decision‑making skills and ability to deal with a variety of patients and diagnoses.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to travel throughout and between facilities.

Job Duties

• Performs evaluations and provides treatment programs to facilitate patient specific goals.
• Assesses the patient’s response to treatment and recommends treatment plan changes as appropriate to improve quality of outcome and maintain patient safety.
• Maintains patient records according to documentation standards, policies, and procedures.
• Ensures treatment protocols contribute to overall hospital quality and safety targets and achieve patient safety outcomes.
• Adapts behavior to the specific patient population, including but not limited to respect for privacy, method of introduction to the patient, adapting explanation of services or procedures to be performed, requesting permissions and communication style.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Remains knowledgeable on current federal, state and local laws, accreditation standards or regulatory agency requirements that apply to the assigned area of responsibility and ensures compliance with all such laws, regulations and standards.
• The employer maintains and complies with its Compliance & Privacy Program and Standards of Conduct, including the immediate reporting of any known or suspected unethical or questionable behaviors or conduct; patient/employee safety, patient privacy, and/or other compliance‑related concerns.

The employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Physical and Environmental Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Very Heavy Work – Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Heavy Work. (Constantly: activity or condition exists 2/3 or more of the time) to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Even though the weight lifted may be only a negligible amount, a job should be rated Light Work: (1) when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree; or (2) when it requires sitting most of the time but entails pushing and/or pulling of arm or leg controls; and/or (3) when the job requires working at a production rate pace entailing the constant pushing and/or pulling of materials even though the weight of those materials is negligible. NOTE: The constant stress and strain of maintaining a production rate pace, especially in an industrial setting, can be and is physically demanding of a worker even though the amount of force exerted is negligible. Duties performed routinely require exposure to blood, body fluid and tissue. The incumbent works in a patient care area; works in an area where patients enter; works directly with patients; and/or works with specimens that could contain diseases. There may be an occupational risk for exposure to all communicable diseases. Because the incumbent works within a healthcare setting, there may be occupational risk for exposure to hazardous medications or hazardous waste within the environment through receipt, transport, storage, preparation, dispensing, administration, cleaning and/or disposal of contaminated waste. The risk level of exposure may increase depending on the essential job duties of the role.