Physical Therapist – Seasonal, Acute Care

Vail Health Behavioral Health; Vail (CO); On-site; USD 59,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing programs

Tuition assistance

Parental leave

Medical coverage

Job summary

Vail Health in Vail, CO, seeks a Physical Therapist for a ski-season acute care role. This full-time seasonal position runs November through April with exposure to orthopedic caseload across acute care and Emergency Department settings.

You will evaluate patients, develop and implement treatment plans, document care, and collaborate with clinicians. Seasonal benefits include housing, a completion bonus, health insurance, wellness credits, and 403(b) retirement contributions.

Qualifications

• Experience in an acute care setting required.
• Experience providing physical therapy in an Emergency Department or fast-paced hospital environment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates patients to determine PT problem/level of function and discharge plan.
• Establishes PT interventions based on evaluation, orders, and patient goals.
• Performs PT techniques safely and competently.
• Ensures continuity of care through communication with health care professionals.
• Instructs patients/family in home programs.

Skills

Acute care experience

Emergency Department exposure

English proficiency

Education

Licensed Physical Therapist (CO)

PT Compact Privilege

Current Basic Life Support (BLS)

Job description

Explore job opportunities at Vail Health

7100 Howard Head Sports Center-Vail

Physical Therapist – Seasonal, Acute Care

Schedule

Schedule Ski-season full‑time Shift Days

Details

Company Howard Head Sports Medicine Location Vail, CO Category Rehabilitative Therapy Clinical Yes Close Date September 30, 2026

Pay

Hourly $42.94 – $59.26 USD

Vail Health has become the world’s most advanced mountain healthcare system. Vail Health consists of an updated 520,000-square‑foot, 56‑bed hospital. This state‑of‑the‑art facility provides exceptional care to all of our patients, with the most beautiful views in the area, located centrally in Vail. Learn more about Vail Health here .

In this seasonal position (November – April), you’ll have the opportunity to experience the best of both worlds: world‑class skiing and snowboarding in beautiful Vail, Colorado, while advancing your clinical skills in a top‑tier hospital setting. Join a collaborative rehabilitation team that works across acute care and Emergency Department environments, providing exposure to a diverse patient population and fast‑paced clinical decision making. Combined with a strong orthopedic caseload, this role offers an exciting opportunity to broaden your experience while enjoying all that mountain living has to offer. Our seasonal staff are eligible for Vail Health‑supported housing, a season completion bonus, health insurance, wellness reimbursement credit, and 403(b) retirement contribution eligibility.

About the opportunity:

Provides rehabilitative therapies to patients to include assessment and treatment, development and implementation of programs, and related professional in‑services. Promotes services of Vail Health and HHSM in order to meet business needs of both the greater organization and the individual clinic.

What you will do:

• Evaluates patients utilizing appropriate tests and measurements to determine the physical therapy problem/level of function and the recommended treatment/discharge plan.
• Promotes and has knowledge of and utilizes appropriate patient care protocol relations to the physical, psychosocial, and developmental needs for adult and geriatric patients.
• Establishes physical therapy interventions based upon the evaluation and examination, physician orders, and patients goals for therapy.
• Competently and safely performs appropriate physical therapy techniques and procedures.
• Provide for continuity of patient care through written and verbal communication with other health care professionals.
• Makes recommendations for needed patient care equipment prior to patient discharge and assists with acquisition of same as appropriate.
• Participates in assigned aspects of affiliated PT / PTA student training.
• Instructs patients/family members in home programs.
• Role models the principles of a Just Culture and Organizational Values.
• Perform other duties as assigned. Must be HIPAA compliant.

This description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills and efforts or work conditions associated with the job. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the general nature and level of the job.

What you will need:

Experience:

Experience in an acute care setting required. Experience providing physical therapy services in an Emergency Department or fast‑paced hospital environment is preferred but not required.

License(s):

• Licensed as a Physical Therapist (PT) in the state of Colorado or valid PT Compact Privilege required.

Certification(s):

• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) required.

Computer / Typing:

• Must possess, or be able to obtain within 90 days, the computers skills necessary to complete online learning requirements for job‑specific competencies, access online forms and policies, complete online benefits enrollment, etc.

Must have working knowledge of the English language, including reading, writing, and speaking English.

Benefits at Vail Health (Full Time) Include:

• Competitive Wages & Family Benefits:
  • Competitive wages
  • Parental leave (4 weeks paid)
  • Housing programs
  • Childcare reimbursement
• Medical
• Vision
• Educational Programs:
  • Tuition Assistance
  • Existing Student Loan Repayment
  • Specialty Certification Reimbursement
  • Annual Supplemental Educational Funds
• Retirement & Supplemental Insurance:
  • 403(b) Retirement plan with immediate matching
  • Life insurance
  • Short and long‑term disability
• Recreation Benefits, Wellness & More:
  • Up to $1,000 annual wellbeing reimbursement
  • Recreation discounts
  • Pet insurance

#HHSM

Pay is based upon relevant education and experience per hour.