Physical Therapist

Rehabilitation team members are licensed or certified professionals (physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, social workers, or therapeutic recreation specialists who work within a specific team structure to offer inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation services. These services are offered to the acute-care hospital, the acute-inpatient rehabilitation facility (Dodd Hall), or outpatient service sites to patients who have disorders and conditions associated primarily with traumatic brain injury spinal cord injury, stroke, or other neurogenic disorders, orthopedic problems, burns, amputations, or chronic pain. The rehabilitation team members report to rehabilitation team leaders as part of the overall Rehabilitation Services Division structure.

Each rehabilitation team member is first a part of a group effort to provide care within a continuous performance improvement environment, and secondly a distinct professional who provides specific contributions to the team approach. Team members assess patients and establish together plans of care; provide a wide variety of treatment techniques; provide education and support to patients and families; and facilitate continuing care planning. Team members evaluate quality of services and participate in outcomes management activities. Although team members report directly to a team leader, they are also responsible to each other, to those they supervise (rehab assistants and aides) and to other participants in patient care activities, including attending and resident physicians, nurses, their support staff, and Patient Care Resource Managers to assure coordination of services and programs.

Minimum Qualifications

All rehabilitation team members must be licensed or certified with the respective profession physical therapy, and meet the educational and/or certification requirements established by their profession. Physical therapists must hold bachelor's degrees. All academic degrees must have been granted from an accredited institution. Typically, one-two years of experience working in a medical setting is preferred for all professionals hired.

Maintains professional licensure; demonstrates commitment to continuing education; meets mandatory education and health requirements; demonstrates competence in technical, interpersonal, and cognitive skills required to meet essential job functions.