Physical Therapy Program Manager, Pediatrics

St. Luke’s University Health Network; Bethlehem (Northampton County); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Luke's University Health Network is seeking a Program Manager to direct the therapy services program, providing clinical leadership and oversight across staff and operations.

The role focuses on achieving strategic objectives, enhancing patient care, and maintaining compliance with regulatory standards. You will collaborate with facility and regional leadership, develop goals, and guide staff education while managing resources to maximize program effectiveness.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech-language pathology is required.
• Doctorate degree from an accredited program is preferred.
• Active PA and/or NJ license in PT/OT/SLP is required.
• BLS certification from AHA or equivalent required within 30 days of hire.
• Pennsylvania or New Jersey license must be current based on work location.
• NBCOT certification is required for Occupational Therapists.

Responsibilities

• Review clinical performance of staff via chart reviews and direct observation.
• Conduct needs assessments and performance improvement for staff.
• Provide clinical oversight and ensure regulatory compliance of the program.
• Collaborate on clinical workflows to improve patient experience.
• Develop short and long term goals for the program and adjust staffing as needed.
• Suggest new equipment or services to improve patient care and productivity.
• Coordinate continuing education for staff within the program.
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to safety and network policies.

Skills

Staff leadership

Strategic planning

Clinical oversight

Regulatory compliance

Education coordination

Education

Master’s degree in PT/OT/SLP

Doctorate degree preferred

PA/NJ licenses in PT/OT/SLP

BLS certification (AHA)

NBCOT for OT

Current PA/NJ license depending on location

Job description

St. Luke's is proud of the skills, experience and compassion of its employees. The employees of St. Luke's are our most valuable asset! Individually and together, our employees are dedicated to satisfying the mission of our organization which is an unwavering commitment to excellence as we care for the sick and injured; educate physicians, nurses and other health care providers; and improve access to care in the communities we serve, regardless of a patient's ability to pay for health care.

The Program Manager is responsible for directing the therapy services of their specialty by developing strategic objectives, providing services and directing staff.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Review overall clinical performance of the staff through chart reviews, direct observation, and consultation with Facility Director and Regional Director.
• Responsible to perform needs assessment of staff, competencies for different diagnoses with the specified population, and performance improvement activities.
• Plans, organizes, and provides clinical oversight of the assigned Program Ensures the program is in compliance with the established standards and regulatory requirements Works in collaboration with specified individuals to enhance clinical treatment
• Consults on clinical workflows on a daily basis to maximize the patient experience
• Develops and implements short and long term goals for the specified Program
• Responsible for making suggestions to adjust staffing as needed, in order to maximize productivity within the program
• Facilitates projects and makes recommendations for new equipment and/or researches new services for patient population.
• Collaborates with other management to set up new work spaces
• Implements policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and evidence best practices as it applies to the specified program
• Responsible for functions related to clinical expertise including evaluating and treating patients that require care within the specified program
• Responsible for coordination of continuing education for all staff within the specified program
• Maintains confidentiality of all materials handled within the Network/ Entity as well as the proper release of information.
• Complies with Network and departmental policies regarding issues of employee, patient and environmental safety and follows appropriate reporting requirements.
• Demonstrates/models the Network’s Service Excellence Standards of Performance in interactions with all customers (internal and external).
• Demonstrates Performance Improvement in the following areas as appropriate: Clinical Care/Outcomes, Customer/Service Improvement, Operational System/Process, and Safety.
• Demonstrates financial responsibility and accountability through the effective and efficient use of resources in daily procedures, processes and practices.
• Complies with Network and departmental policies regarding attendance and dress code.
• Demonstrates competency in the assessment, range of treatment, knowledge of growth and development and communication appropriate to the age of the patient treated.

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to sit for up to ninety minutes at a time.
• Be able to tolerate standing for thirty to forty-five minutes consecutively.
• Must be able to use hands/fingers to manipulate dials on machines.
• Must have the ability to lift/move patients up to 200 lbs., push/pull patients weighing up to 200 lbs.
• Must have the ability to occasionally stoop/bend, squat, crouch, kneel and reach above shoulder level.
• Must be capable of tactile sensation as it relates to feeling for muscle spasms, texture and skin temperature.
• Must have the ability to hear as it relates to normal conversation and ability to hear call bells.
• Must be capable of seeing as it relates to general vision, depth perception, and peripheral vision.

EDUCATION

• Master’s Degree from an accredited physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech language program required.
• Doctorate Degree from an accredited physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech language program preferred.
• Must hold and maintain an active PA and/or NJ license in either physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech language.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association (AHA) or equivalent, required upon hire or to be obtained within 30 days of hire.
• Current Physical Therapist, Speech Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, or Audiologist license in the State of Pennsylvania or New Jersey, based on work location, is required.
• The Physical Therapist, Speech Therapist, Occupational Therapist or Audiologist shall work within the practice guidelines as defined by Pennsylvania or New Jersey state law (based on work location).
• National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) is required for Occupational Therapists.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

• Successful completion of required affiliations.
• Pennsylvania license required.
• Current CPR certification.

Thank you for your interest in St. Luke's!!

St. Luke's University Health Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Founded in 1872, St. Luke’s University Health Network (SLUHN) is a fully integrated, regional, non-profit network of more than 23,000 employees providing services at 16 campuses and 350+ outpatient sites. With annual net revenue in excess of $4 billion, the Network’s service area includes 11 counties in two states: Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Montgomery, Monroe, Schuylkill and Luzerne counties in Pennsylvania and Warren and Hunterdon counties in New Jersey. St. Luke’s hospitals operate the largest network of trauma centers in Pennsylvania, with the Bethlehem Campus being home to St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital. SLUHN is the only Lehigh Valley-based health care system to earn Medicare’s five-star ratings (the highest) for quality, efficiency and patient satisfaction. It is both a Leapfrog Group and Healthgrades Top Hospital and a Newsweek World’s Best Hospital. The Network’s flagship University Hospital has earned the 100 Top Major Teaching Hospital designation from Premier 13 times total and eleven years in a row, including in 2023 when it was identified as THE #4 TEACHING HOSPITAL IN THE COUNTRY. In 2021, St. Luke’s was identified as one of the 15 Top Health Systems nationally. St. Luke’s is the ONLY health care institution in the Lehigh Valley to be named a Top Workplace regionally repeating the exclusive honor for the third year in a row. Also, for the third straight year, St. Luke’s has been a Top Workplaces in the Philadelphia Region by the Philadelphia Inquirer, ranking 9th in the large employer category for 2025 and the only health care system in PA to receive this award. In 2025, St. Luke’s was recognized as a national Top Workplaces by USA Today, three years in a row, including the 3rd best health care system in the nation in 2023 and 2024. Lastly, in 2025, St. Luke’s was named a Top Workplace in New Jersey for the third year in a row.