Full-Time Inpatient Physical Therapist

Job description

Description
Full-Time Inpatient Physical Therapist
Department: Inpatient & Swing Bed Rehabilitation
Schedule: 36-40 hours/week; primarily Monday–Friday with some flexibility
Reports to: Rehab Director
FLSA Status: Exempt
POSITION SUMMARY
The Part-Time Inpatient Physical Therapist provides physical therapy services for acute care and swing bed patients within a rural Critical Access Hospital (CAH). The PT plays a key role in supporting patient recovery, functional independence, and safe discharge planning.
This position offers meaningful autonomy within a small, collaborative team and includes a caseload of post-operative, general medical, and mobility-related conditions. New graduates with strong clinical training are encouraged to apply. No on-call responsibilities; holiday coverage may be flexed collaboratively within the team.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Clinical Care
• Perform comprehensive physical therapy evaluations for acute care and swing bed patients.
• Develop individualized treatment plans focused on functional mobility, strength, balance, gait, and safe discharge readiness.
• Provide evidence-based interventions including therapeutic exercise, mobility training, gait training, and functional safety assessments.
• Reassess patient progress and update goals and interventions accordingly.
• Provide patient and caregiver education to support recovery and safe transitions of care.
• Recommend and train patients in the use of assistive devices and mobility aids.
• Complete timely and accurate documentation in accordance with hospital and CMS inpatient therapy requirements.

Inpatient & Swing Bed Responsibilities
• Support acute and swing bed patients recovering from surgery, illness, injury, or functional decline.
• Collaborate with nursing, providers, and case management to determine rehabilitation needs and discharge plans.
• Assist with fall prevention strategies, mobility assessments, and functional safety evaluations.
• Participate in interdisciplinary care planning meetings as needed.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration
• Communicate effectively with physicians, nursing staff, case management, and rehabilitation team members.
• Coordinate care with OT, ST, and support staff to ensure comprehensive patient management.

Compliance & Safety
• Adhere to HIPAA, CMS inpatient therapy regulations, CAH standards, and hospital policies.
• Follow safe patient handling and mobility protocols.
• Ensure proper use and maintenance of therapy equipment.
• Support infection prevention and patient safety practices.

Professional Practice
• Participate in departmental quality improvement initiatives and continuing education.
• Maintain professional conduct consistent with evidence-based practice and ethical standards.
• Provide support across care settings based on patient volume and departmental needs.

Requirements
QUALIFICATIONSEducation & Licensure
• Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) or equivalent from an accredited program.
• Current Texas Physical Therapist license (or eligibility upon hire).
• Current BLS/CPR certification.

Experience
• Acute care or hospital-based experience preferred.
• Experience with swing bed programs or rural healthcare beneficial.
• New graduates considered based on clinical competency.

Technical Skills
• Strong skills in evaluation, functional mobility training, gait training, and therapeutic exercise.
• Ability to adapt treatment approaches for medically complex and post-operative patients.
• Proficiency with electronic medical record systems.

Soft Skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong clinical reasoning, organization, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work independently with autonomy while contributing to a small, collaborative team.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
• Ability to stand or walk for extended periods.
• Ability to assist patients with transfers, mobility training, and therapeutic activities.
• Ability to lift or safely manage loads of 50+ pounds as needed.
• Manual dexterity to operate therapy equipment.
• Adequate visual and auditory ability to assess patient mobility and response to treatment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
• Acute care and swing bed rehabilitation within a rural CAH setting.
• Exposure to infectious diseases and typical hospital environments.
• Collaborative, community-focused team environment.