PRN Physical Therapist- Inpatient Acquired Brain Injury - Saturday Coverage

Shepherd Center; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Shepherd Center in Atlanta, GA seeks a Physical Therapist to treat adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients, setting short- and long-term goals with the patient and care team. The role emphasizes active rehabilitation, collaboration, and advancing patient recovery.

The position requires a PT degree, GA licensure, and BLS, with 2 years of clinical experience preferred. Strong communication and documentation skills are essential to success in this hands-on role.

Qualifications

• Two years of recent clinical experience preferred.
• Licensed to practice in Georgia.
• BLS certification required.
• Strong patient evaluation and treatment planning abilities.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates patient’s physical and functional status including strength, mobility, and ADLs.
• Develops and implements a comprehensive treatment program to improve function.
• Plans and delivers effective patient and family training for home exercise and safety.
• Performs discharge planning and coordinates follow-up care as needed.
• Documents observations and care clearly and timely per center policies.
• Participates in intra-department meetings and research projects as needed.

Skills

Muscle strength

Ambulation skills

Communication skills

Time management

Critical thinking

Team collaboration

Documentation

Interpersonal skills

Education

DPT or PT degree

Tools

In-house therapy devices

Job description

About Shepherd Center

With five decades of experience, Shepherd Center provides world-class clinical care, research, and family support for people experiencing the most complex conditions, including spinal cord and brain injuries, multi-trauma, traumatic amputations, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and pain. An elite center ranked byU.S. Newsas one of the nation’s top hospitals for rehabilitation, Shepherd Center is also recognized as both Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems. Shepherd is the only rehabilitation facility in the nation with an intensive care unit on-site, allowing us to care for the most complex patients and begin the rehabilitation process sooner. Shepherd Center treats thousands of patients annually with unmatched expertise and unwavering compassion to help them begin again. Shepherd Center's culture is one of hope, humor, and hard work. You will enjoy career growth, strong relationships with co-workers, strong support from leadership, and fun activities that have kept over 12% of staff members working at Shepherd for more than 20 years.

Physical Therapist Role

The Physical Therapist is responsible for treating patients (adolescent, adult, and geriatric) assigned, determining short-term and long-term goals in conjunction with the patient, family/caregiver and other Shepherd Center team members, and developing and implementing a comprehensive plan of care. In this active and hands-on position, the Physical Therapist greatly improves the patient experience through rehabilitation services. This role collaborates and engages with others in order to facilitate patient recovery.

Job Responsibilities

• Evaluates patient’s physical and functional status including muscular strength, motor functions, reflexes, ambulation skills and ability to perform activities of daily living.
• Observes and interviews patient, reviews medical history, and administers sensory tests, muscle tests, range-of-motion exams, and other evaluation techniques.
• Develops and implements treatment program to further patient functional skills, which is then periodically reassessed and adapted.
• Plans and delivers effective patient and family training to ensure proper patient care.
• Utilizes and orders in-house trial equipment according to need and correctly fits equipment to the patient.
• Schedules patients for specialty clinics and programs where appropriate.
• Determines and orders/recommends appropriate durable medical equipment in consultation with patient, caregivers, payer source and team members.
• Discusses evaluation, goals, and treatment with patient and family and instructs them on the exercise program and in use of equipment.
• Uses evaluation findings to determine appropriate discharge planning needs.
• Effectively participates in intra-departmental staff meetings, and intra-departmental discipline/program committee assignments.
• May participate in education programs by teaching and supervising students.
• Participates in research projects as needed.
• Prepares and maintains a record of observations and care given.
• Documents information clearly and completely utilizing correct forms/systems and in a timely manner according to Center policy.
• Performs consistent with Shepherd Center standards, clinical policies, and procedures.
• Practices proper safety techniques in accordance with Center and departmental policies and procedures.
• Responsible for the reporting of employee/patient/visitor injuries or accidents, or other safety issues to the supervisor and in the occurrence notification system.
• Actively participates in center-wide efforts that affect physical therapy practice.
• Establishes relationships with other physical therapists.
• May provide supervision and education to therapy support personnel during and outside of PT treatment sessions.
• May float to inpatient or post-acute programs to provide patient evaluation or treatment sessions as needed.
• Practices proper safety techniques in accordance with Center and departmental policies and procedures.
• Responsible for the reporting of employee/patient/visitor injuries or accidents, or other safety issues to the supervisor and in the occurrence notification system.
• Monitors and ensures compliance with all regulatory requirements, organizational standards, and policies and procedures related to area of responsibility.
• Identifies potential risk areas within area of responsibility and supports problem resolution process.
• Performs other duties as required/requested/assigned.

Required Minimum Education

• A degree from an accredited program in physical therapy.

Required Minimum Certification

• BLS required.
• Licensed to practice in the state of Georgia.

Required Minimum Experience

• Two (2) years recent clinical experience preferred.

Required Minimum Skills

• Basic computer skills.
• Working knowledge of all treatment and therapeutic patient care devices used by physical therapy staff.
• Must display knowledge of growth, development and the ability to obtain, interpret and disseminate information in terms of age specific patient needs (adolescent, adult and geriatric.
• Demonstrates competency in time management, organization, prioritization and critical thinking by planning and organizing work assignments and prioritizing the specific needs of the patient.
• Takes responsibility for growing professionally and seek opportunities for improving skills.
• Communicates effectively using timely verbal, non-verbal and written communication.
• Willingly adapts to changing work demands and work environment.
• Demonstrates critical thinking skills and makes sound judgments to monitor and respond to patient needs or changes in condition.
• Completes orientation and initial assessment of competency successfully by determined due date.
• Completes mandatory education and annual competency assessment requirements by determined due date.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience with patients with Spinal Cord Injury.
• Previous experience with patients with Traumatic Brain Injury.
• Previous experience with patients with Stroke.
• Previous experience with patients with Concussion.
• Previous experience with patients with Vestibular Disorders.

Physical Demands

• Uses body, tools, or special devices to safely, effectively, and efficiently to move, guide, or place patients.
• Involves some latitude for judgement with regard to precision attained and the selection of what adaptive device(s) to utilize.
• Ability to transfer and position patients, consistent with lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Repetitive lifting, moving, squatting, kneeling, and crawling physical requirements.

Working Conditions

• Normal patient care environment.
• Some potential for exposure to blood and body fluids.
• Some potential exposure to infectious viruses.

Employer Recognition

We’re often recognized among the best employers and as a best place to work. Many of our staff have been here for decades. We have a culture of hope, humor, and hard work that helps patients achieve their highest levels of independence with dignity.