Physical Therapist Per Diem

Cayuga Health, A Member of Centralus Health; Town of Ithaca (NY); On-site; USD 50,971 - 66,124; Full time

Job summary

Cayuga Health, a regional healthcare system, is seeking an inpatient Physical Therapist for per diem coverage at Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca, NY.

The PT will perform evaluations, provide therapy, and educate patients within full scope of practice, contributing to program development and community health.

Qualifications

• Education: Accredited physical therapy program (Bachelor/Master/Doctorate)
• Licensure: Current NYS Physical Therapy license
• Certification: Current CPR Certification
• Continual Training: Must complete yearly mandatory safety trainings and e-learning courses

Responsibilities

• Clinical Decision-Making: Completes comprehensive chart review and develops a plan of care.
• Communication: Educates patient and caregivers and communicates with the interdisciplinary team.
• Safety: Identifies contraindications and ensures safe patient handling.
• Patient Management: Progresses interventions and documents defensible clinical decisions.
• Discharge Planning: Determines home support, equipment needs, and follow-up.

Skills

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Time management

Communication skills

Flexibility

Education

Accredited physical therapy program

Job description

Physical Therapist - Inpatient - Per Diem

Cayuga Health and its affiliates are the region's leading healthcare system and most trusted providers of integrated health services, empowering our people in our mission to equitably improve the well‑being of the communities we serve. Our commitment to providing extraordinary healthcare begins with our team of extraordinary professionals who are continuously discovering clinical innovations and enhancing access to the most up‑to‑date facilities, equipment, technologies, and research protocols. Cayuga Health's commitment to our employees includes competitive compensation, comprehensive employee benefits programs, and the opportunity to explore and build a career in healthcare through our many professional development programs.

The Physical Therapist (PT) will provide evaluations, therapy interventions, and education with patients in medically compromised situations within their full scope of practice. This will include participation in the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of programs and services for patients, families, and the community. The PT will work collaboratively as a member of the interdisciplinary team and provide safe, efficient and effective care for their patients. The PT is responsible for making high‑level clinical decisions, in a rapid and dynamic environment, for the care of their patients.

Roles And Responsibilities

• Clinical Decision-Making: Completes comprehensive chart review to determine PT appropriateness. Chooses appropriate exam & integrates findings into a comprehensive plan of care that is person & goal centered. Uses evidence based practice to guide decision making & therapy intensity. Assesses response to intervention & adjusts interventions/plan of care appropriately.
• Communication: Selects appropriate communication style based on age, learning style, cognition, and culture. Educates patient & family/caregivers using compassionate communication. Clearly communicates patient's PT needs & barriers to plan with interdisciplinary team to facilitate throughput. Initiates and maintains professional communication with every team member at all times including adverse, challenging, and crucial conversations.
• Safety: Uses medical record & patient presentation to identify relative & absolute contraindications to participation in PT. Surveys patient and environment for safe movement barriers. Maintains expertise in use of all safe patient handling equipment.
• Patient Management: Progresses interventions to facilitate achievement of patient's goals. Reassesses progress towards goals & adjusts plan of care. Produces clear, defensible documentation that supports clinical decision making. Uses clinical judgement to determine when immediate communication beyond documentation is required for safe coordinated patient care.
• Discharge Planning: Synthesizes patient's life context and current functional status to determine discharge destination, level of support, additional services, and follow-up needs. Determines appropriate equipment needs and provides caregiver training as appropriate.

Required Skills And Experience

• Education: Successful completion of accredited physical therapy program; may be Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate level program
• Licensure: Current NYS Physical Therapy license
• Certification(s): Current CPR Certification
• Continual Training: Must complete yearly mandatory safety trainings and e-learning courses

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Problem solving
• Attention to detail
• Time management
• Flexibility in prioritizing and adjusting workload
• Good written and oral communication skills

Physical Requirements

• Ability to move/lift patients with assistance
• Repetitive use of hands and fingers (e.g., use of computer keyboard)
• Sitting, walking, or standing for long periods of time
• Must be able to physically operate the equipment used for the job

Location and Travel Requirements

• Location: Onsite at Cayuga Medical Center - 101 Dates Drive, Ithaca, NY 14850
• Shift: Per Diem. May be scheduled during various shifts to support coverage needs within the department.
• Travel Requirements: 0% to 5% local area travel may be expected

Pay Range Disclosure

• Standard Rate of $37.12 to $48.08 per hour

Cayuga Health System and its affiliates are committed to treating all patients, providers, staff and volunteers equitably and with dignity, ensuring the highest levels of safety, care and respect, and striving to recognize and overcome biases and policies that contribute to disparities in healthcare access, equitable care and positive health outcomes for all.

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, supporting the growth and health of our employees and community by embracing the rich diversity, needs and circumstances of all peoples and prioritizing opportunities to build a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable protected characteristics.

If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre‑employment testing, a job interview or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact the Cayuga Health Talent Acquisition team at [e-mail].