Physical Therapist (Inpatient), per diem

Boston Medical Center (BMC); Boston (MA); On-site; USD 75,500 - 109,500; Full time

Job summary

Boston Medical Center (BMC) is hiring a Physical Therapist II in Boston, MA to conduct assessments, plan treatments, and provide education to patients. The role requires at least 3 years of experience, including 1 year in acute care (ICU preferred). Responsibilities include evaluating patients, formulating treatment plans, and collaborating with healthcare team members to ensure optimal patient outcomes. The expected compensation range is $75,500 to $109,500 annually, with additional training and support for student therapists.

Qualifications

• Must have a current Massachusetts physical therapy license.
• Current CPR certification required.
• Minimum 3 years of experience as a licensed physical therapist, preferably in ICU.

Responsibilities

• Perform evaluations and establish treatment goals for patients.
• Administer treatment and document progress according to department standards.
• Collaborate with healthcare professionals to enhance patient care.
• Educate patients and families about care recommendations.

Skills

Patient evaluation

Treatment planning

Clinical problem-solving

Collaboration with healthcare teams

Education

Bachelor's / Master’s / Doctorate in Physical Therapy

Job description

Position Summary

Reporting to the Manager of Inpatient Rehabilitation Services, the Physical Therapist II conducts comprehensive assessments of inpatients with physical and functional deficits, planning and implementing physical therapy treatments to promote mobility, reduce pain, restore function, prevent permanent disability and restore independence using various treatment techniques. The therapist collaborates with other disciplines to arrange appropriate follow‑up care and facilitates a successful return to home and work environments. The role also provides student training according to departmental guidelines and participates in continuing education. A minimum of 3 years’ experience as a licensed physical therapist is required; preferred is 1 year of experience in acute care, especially ICU.

Job Responsibilities

• Respond to all consults in assigned area within 24 hours; complete evaluation and documentation within 24 hours of consult (IP).
• Review patient records, gather necessary information, and obtain a physician’s order prior to assessing the patient.
• Select evaluation procedures that reflect understanding of the patient’s diagnosis, abilities, and limitations.
• Administer evaluation procedures according to the guidelines of standardized tests (including range of motion, manual muscle testing, mobility, air entry and breath sounds); adapt evaluation procedures as indicated to accommodate the specific needs of patients.
• Interpret evaluation results, develop an integrated diagnostic impression, and make recommendations.
• Perform re‑evaluations according to departmental policies, change in patient’s status or response to treatment.
• Educate patient and caregiver regarding evaluation findings and management of care recommendations.

Establishes treatment goals and plans that reflect the needs of the patients while meeting departmental, institutional, and third‑party reimbursement requirements.

• Formulate treatment goals and plans that reflect the patient’s unique psychological and functional deficits.
• Establish measurable and attainable short‑ and long‑term goals in collaboration with patient and/or caregiver.
• Modify goals as warranted by changes in patient’s status.
• Assess discharge needs of the patient and caregiver, including but not limited to insurance issues, equipment needs, follow‑up appointments, and appropriate use of community services.
• Communicate patient care and discharge needs to team members as needed and arrange for appropriate follow‑up.

Implements comprehensive individual and group treatment and consistently demonstrates clinical competence.

• Establish treatment priorities based on evaluation results and the specific needs of the patients.
• Use creative treatment approaches and explore alternative solutions to individual patient problems.
• Demonstrate clinical problem‑solving skills with a variety of patient problems and substantiate actions taken.
• Progress patient treatment programs appropriately and terminate them as warranted by patient’s progress and condition.
• Recommend and/or issue appropriate assistive devices or durable medical equipment, ensuring proper fit for the patient.
• Develop and instruct patient and caregiver in home programs and/or use of recommended equipment; provide verbal and/or written instructions as indicated.
• Establish and maintain a therapeutic relationship with all patients.
• Demonstrate ability to engage patients in treatment, provide reinforcement and support; set limits appropriately.
• Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age groups regularly served.
• Notify supervisor/manager when patients in age groups not regularly served are present, and seek assistance from individuals with the knowledge of the specialized needs of such patient age groups.
• Adhere to diagnosis‑related precautions. Demonstrate good judgment in handling potentially hazardous situations, seeking assistance as necessary.
• Monitor clinical supplies on assigned floors, requesting replacements in a timely manner.

Complies with departmental, institutional, and accrediting agency policies and standards.

• Complete documentation accurately, thoroughly, and timely according to department standards.
• Issue supplies/adaptive equipment in a cost‑effective manner. Justify issuance of equipment and demonstrate actual use by patient. Look for alternative solutions.
• Complete patient care charges accurately.
• Meet area‑specific productivity standards at least 95% of the time. Identify problems and make adjustments to meet targeted productivity.
• Participate in the peer review process. Complete form thoroughly, give meaningful and constructive feedback, and provide learning experience to peers.
• Complete mandatory requirements (including PPD, competencies, and safety/infection control tests, CPR, and license renewal) within the given time frame.

Shows evidence of ongoing professional growth and knowledge of regulations and standards.

• Initiate independent learning opportunities, seek out and integrate new information in daily practice. Communicate learning needs to supervisor.
• Stay current with advances in physical therapy treatments and techniques through attendance of professional meetings, continuing education, and reading of current literature.
• Show knowledge of professional federal and state rules and regulations governing the practice of physical therapy.

Participates in the development and evaluation of physical therapy programs.

• Identify assigned rotation/floor needs and communicate with senior therapists and supervisor.
• Contribute to the development and updating of unit files and other pertinent resource material.
• Assist in developing and achieving area goals.
• Collect data required to complete departmental quality improvement projects in compliance with established department standards.
• Contribute to the assessment, planning, and implementation of physical therapy programs in collaboration with supervisor and peers.

Collaborates with colleagues and other professionals to provide high‑quality patient care.

• Serve as clinical resource for other health care professionals on assigned floors.
• Work as part of the rehabilitation therapy team, helping and supporting staff members as needed; listen to and seek feedback from others; share knowledge with others in a positive manner; express opinions clearly.
• Accommodate to change by being adaptable and flexible and maintain professional demeanor during periods of stress. Assume a leadership role and take charge in difficult situations.
• Attend and participate in all mandatory department meetings. Arrive prepared and on time.
• Accept and complete additional assignments as requested by supervisor, including membership in department and hospital task forces and committees.
• Provide at least one evidence‑based area in‑service annually. Provide in‑services to other hospital personnel as requested.
• Prepare for a verbal presentation using peer‑reviewed journals and present this information in a clear, organized, and concise manner.
• Participate responsibly in the supervisory process, follow through on suggestions and recommendations, and utilize supervision time for own professional growth. Come prepared to supervisory meetings.
• Develop and meet annual goals with a high quality of performance.
• Engage with management on departmental initiatives and projects. Take responsibility for tasks and projects and complete them under guidance of management.
• Monitor area equipment and supplies, ensuring equipment is accounted for and distributed evenly.

Orients medical professional staff and the community to physical therapy. Supervises physical therapy students.

• Participate in pre‑affiliation, class‑related, or other observation experiences.
• Orient medical professional staff and students and the community (e.g., volunteers, high school initiatives).
• Show leadership and flexibility by taking students despite a new or challenging rotation.
• Takes additional physical therapy students to help meet the needs of the department/students.
• If not eligible to take own students, assist with occasional supervision of other clinical instructor’s students. Provide a well‑rounded learning experience for affiliating physical therapy students.
• Assess the learning needs of assigned physical therapy students and provide training in patient evaluation and treatment procedures as practiced on assigned units.
• Facilitate development of clinical problem‑solving skills of the affiliating students by asking probing questions.
• Schedule weekly meetings with assigned students providing growth‑promoting feedback and learning experiences.
• Keep student program coordinator informed of student’s performance.
• Cooperate with student program coordinator and academic coordinator to develop and implement corrective actions when indicated.
• Conduct student performance evaluations, discuss evaluation with students, and submit the completed form to the student program coordinator in a timely fashion.

Utilizes hospital's values as the basis for decision‑making and to facilitate the hospital’s mission.

Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.

Demonstrates initiative with above duties with minimal prompting from manager.

Education

Work requires a Bachelor’s / Master’s / Doctorate or equivalent in Physical Therapy from an accredited institution.

Job Requirements

• Work requires a current Commonwealth of Massachusetts license. APTA and MCAPTA membership preferred.
• Work requires a current CPR certification.

Experience

• 3 years’ experience as a licensed PT, 1 year in acute care, ICU preferred.

Expected to work two Saturdays per month.

Compensation Range

$75,500.00 – $109,500.00

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disabled / Veterans

We are an equal opportunity employer and a Veterans/BDS Management Program participant. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disability. The City of Boston encourages persons with disabilities, veterans, and members of any other protected class to apply. No hiring discrimination or retaliation will be tolerated.

Note

This range is based on Boston‑area data and is subject to modification based on geographic location.