PER DIEM - Inpatient Physical Therapist (Weekdays/Weekends)

It takes a lot of very smart, hard-working and talented people to provide the level of care that we give to our patients. Tufts Medical Center is an internationally respected academic medical center and we pride ourselves not only on the sophistication of the care we deliver, but the compassionate way in which we provide it. And that starts with our employees.

Join our team of specially trained inpatient physical therapists who work with patients to facilitate safe discharge and to provide ongoing treatment to medically complex patients. We see patients on every ward of Tufts MC to treat a wide range of conditions including stroke, heart failure, heart surgery and transplants, trauma, orthopedics, and spine surgeries. Our physical therapy team provides guidance in developing clinical reasoning skills to allow for each therapist to make individualized, clinically informed treatment plans for our diverse patient population.

Tufts MC is a Comprehensive Stroke Center, Level 1 Trauma Center, and has a large cardiomyopathy program that provides mechanical circulatory support for heart failure patients. Our inpatient physical therapists work with a multi-disciplinary team to provide services that support our high medical acuity and medically complex patients’ overall treatment programs.

We are seeking a self-motivated Staff Physical Therapist who is responsible for evaluating, developing, and implementing specific treatment programs for individual patients according to the principles and practices of physical therapy.

The position involves regular contact with patients and members of their families, referring physicians, nurses, social workers, and all allied health and support personnel within TMC. The staff member will act as a liaison with other disciplines for problem-solving issues that arise related to clinical therapy services.

As a not-for-profit organization, this role qualifies for the Public Service

Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

Responsibilities:

• Therapists rotate caseloads every 6 months.

• Expectation for all therapists to eventually become ICU competent.

• Has ability to manage and be flexible prioritizing patient caseload.

• Has the medical literacy to perform complex chart reviews and determine appropriateness for therapy intervention.

• Problem solves effectively with interdisciplinary team, patients, and their families for optimal discharge planning of diverse patient populations.

• Is willing and capable of continuous learning to provide care across the hospital.

• Demonstrates flexibility in cross-coverage of various diagnoses based on staffing and patient census.

• Provides comprehensive evaluation and assessment of patient’s physical status and functional mobility.

• Sets realistic short- and long-term goals and plan of care related to patient’s physical therapy needs within the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary, and integumentary systems.

• Demonstrates the ability to carry out the appropriate treatment plan.

• Works directly and collaboratively with the interdisciplinary health care team, the patient, and the patient’s family to promote maximum level of patient safety and independence in discharge planning.

• Documentation and billing is accurate and reflective of services provided in accordance with departmental guidelines.

• Participates in all the educational responsibilities of a tertiary level acute care teaching facility.

• Perform job as described by Inpatient Physical Therapy Competencies.

• Bachelor’s degree is required, Masters or Doctorate preferred

• Current Massachusetts Physical Therapy License required

• 1-2 years of clinical experience is preferred, but not required

Additional Requirements:

• Must demonstrate interpersonal skills including communication, flexibility, time management, independence, teamwork, and maturity to operate effectively within a multi-disciplinary setting.

• Must be willing and able to work effectively with a wide variety of patients with acute and long term disability.

• Must be capable of treating independently in a variety of settings.

• Lifts, positions, pushes and/or transfers patients, supplies and equipment.

• Must be capable of providing physical therapy intervention throughout the life span.