Physical Therapist - Inpatient Hospital Therapy Services

• The Physical Therapist is responsible for interpreting all referral information, evaluating, adjusting, updating and discharging the treatment of all patients in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code Section 4755 in all settings of care at Aultman. Department Summary The Hospital Therapy Department provides high-quality, patient-centered rehabilitation services to hospitalized individuals recovering from orthopedic, neurological, musculoskeletal, and various medical conditions. Our licensed physical therapist assistants deliver evidence-based care focused on restoring function, improving mobility, and enhancing quality of life. The department operates within the hospital's broader continuum of care and collaborates closely with physicians, nursing staff, and other allied health professionals to ensure seamless, coordinated treatment. Services are delivered in compliance with all applicable regulatory standards and organizational policies. Staff are expected to uphold the mission, vision, and values of the organization while maintaining a strong commitment to clinical excellence, patient safety, and continuous professional development. Qualifications Graduate of a CAPTE accredited Physical Therapy Program. PT license from the State of Ohio OT, PT, and AT Board, active and in good standing. Obtain and maintain current American Heart Association (AHA) training in Basic Life Support (BLS) utilizing Resuscitation Quality Improvement (RQI) is required. Department Qualifications Willingness to build professional skills to support the niche services provided by the department as they arise such as care for patients with stroke, braces, vestibular dysfunction, or trauma. Skills Complete thorough physical therapy evaluations and develop individualized treatment plans and goals in accordance with the Ohio practice act and APTA standards. Apply evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning to optimize patient outcomes and support efficient discharge planning. Maintain accurate, timely documentation that reflects patient function, treatment response, and progress toward goals. Coordinate care with the interdisciplinary team throughout the day to address changing patient needs and ensure continuity of care. Maximize patient engagement through effective communication, motivation, and interpersonal skills. Safely manage patients with multiple medical lines, tubes, and monitoring devices during mobility and therapeutic interventions. Utilize electronic medical record systems (e.g., Cerner) and standard software tools (Word, Teams, Outlook) for documentation, communication, and care coordination. Supervise and guide Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) to ensure appropriate care delivery and adherence to treatment plans. Communicate effectively with patients, families, and team members to support collaboration and problem-solving. Comply with hospital policies, safety standards, infection control protocols, and HIPAA regulations. Demonstrate adaptability in a dynamic environment by responding to schedule changes, fluctuating patient volumes, and evolving priorities. Support team function by assisting colleagues and contributing to a collaborative, solutions-focused work environment. Participate in professional development, competency assessments, and quality improvement initiatives. Mentor staff and students, including serving as a Clinical Instructor and facilitating interdisciplinary learning opportunities. Demonstrate willingness and ability to learn new technologies and adapt to system updates. Department Skills Demonstrate effective and adaptable communication strategies to support seamless coordination within a large, dynamic facility, utilizing both formal and informal channels, including real-time verbal interactions and electronic platforms such as Microsoft Teams, email, and other tools to ensure timely information exchange. Exhibit cultural sensitivity and adaptability in communication and care delivery, effectively engaging with diverse patient populations. Technology Adaptability: Willingness and ability to learn new software tools and updates as required by hospital systems and therapy department workflows. Adaptability to build skills to support niche services when needed. Responsibilities & Expectations Maintains ongoing clinical competency by completing a minimum of 24 contact hours of approved continuing education every two-year renewal cycle, as required by the Ohio OT, PT, and AT Board. Completes the Ohio Physical Therapy Jurisprudence Assessment Module (JAM) during each renewal period, which fulfills the mandatory ethics requirement and supports understanding of current legal and professional standards. Selects continuing education activities that are evidence-based and directly relevant to clinical practice, patient care, and departmental goals to promote individual creativity, innovation, and excellence. Applies knowledge gained through continuing education to enhance evaluation/examination skills, treatment planning/skills, patient outcomes, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Demonstrates knowledge of evidence-based practice by actively seeking current literature, integrating the best available research, clinical expertise, and patient preferences into treatment planning and decision-making. Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to ensure care aligns with the most up-to-date clinical standards, continuously striving to improve patient outcomes. Conducts thorough patient evaluations, examinations, and treatment procedures. Develops patient plans of care and ensures adherence through effective delegation where appropriate. Provides direct patient care consistent with industry standards and consults with other specialists as needed. Ensures optimal patient functional outcome by adjusting care plan over the episode of care. Proactively communicates significant concerns, challenges, requests, and developments to the charge therapist, assistant manager, and/or director to support timely decision-making, maintain continuity of care and operations, and foster a culture of integrity, openness, and fairness in all interactions. Consistently communicates with all patients, families, customers and other personnel in a professional, respectful and courteous manner using professional judgment, empathy, compassion and caring through effective communication skills. Engages in informal peer feedback and cross-monitoring by observing co-worker performance, speaking up for safety, and offering constructive input as needed to support a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement. Assists with the quality improvement program by reviewing, recommending or implementing quality improvement processes as needed or as directed. Assists with compliance of facility operations with federal, state and local rules and regulations. Orients new personnel to charts, forms and documentation requirements. Consistently and thoroughly documents patient care in a timely fashion according to organizational and regulatory guidelines. Demonstrates schedule flexibility in meeting the needs of the program and responds positively to changes in workflow, which may occur unexpectedly and multiple times throughout the day, by maintaining situational awareness and adapting communication and priorities accordingly. Promotes teamwork by demonstrating a willingness to assist others in meeting the needs of all individuals, collaborating effectively with the interdisciplinary team and other departments both within and beyond their designated work location to support coordinated, patient-centered care. Creates and fosters a work environment that is consistent with the Mission, Vision and Values of the Aultman Health Foundation. Develops and adjusts flexible plans of care that support a gradual reduction in therapy services when appropriate, promoting continuity, independence, and long-term functional success. Demonstrates integrity, openness, and fairness in all interactions, upholding the highest standards of ethical and professional behavior. Promotes teamwork and collaboration, supporting colleagues and contributing to a positive, solution-focused work environment. Embraces innovation and creativity, seeking opportunities to improve processes through strong organizational and problem-solving skills while stimulating new ideas, enhancing patient care, and supporting departmental goals. Exhibits compassion and empathy in every patient and team interaction, fostering trust and emotional support throughout the care experience. Demonstrates emotional resilience, adaptability, and teamwork to maintain a safe, supportive, and professional environment for both patients and colleagues Department Responsibilities & Expectations Greets patients, visitors, and colleagues promptly with a warm smile, friendly introduction, and, when possible, by name, creating a welcoming and respectful environment. Anticipates needs and exceeds expectations by asking, "Is there anything else I or a fellow colleague can do for you?", demonstrating a proactive approach to service and support. Provides a caring, timely, and compassionate discharge or departure experience, always expressing gratitude with, "Thank you for allowing us to care for you." Demonstrates integrity, openness, and fairness in all interactions, upholding the highest standards of ethical and professional behavior. Promotes teamwork and collaboration, supporting colleagues and contributing to a positive, solution-focused work environment. Embraces innovation and creativity, seeking opportunities to improve processes, enhance patient care, and support departmental goals. Exhibits compassion and empathy in every patient and team interaction, fostering trust and emotional support throughout the care experience. Working Conditions Hours of operation with shifts as assigned including weekends, holidays, afternoons, evenings, and occasional overtime. Lunch and break periods must be coordinated with other staff members to maintain adequate staffing during facility hours of operation. May be required to travel in inclement weather. Subject to frequent interruptions and changes in priority of duties throughout the day. Subject to emergency and other crisis situations. Requires the ability to communicate effectively through various methods, including verbal, written, and electronic platforms, during both routine operations and unexpected events, ensuring timely coordination and response across the department Treatment of patients in isolation Hazardous Exposure Category Category I - Includes tasks that involve exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues. All procedures or other job-related tasks that involve an inherent potential for spills or splashes of, or mucous membrane or skin contact with blood, body fluids or tissues are Category I tasks. Use of appropriate protective measures is required for every employee engaged in Category I tasks. Physical Addendum Demands Frequency Remarks Lifting 0
• 10 lbs Continuous 66% of the day Lifting 10
• 20 lbs Continuous 66% of the day Lifting 20
• 35 lbs Continuous 66% of the day Lifting 35
• 50 lbs Frequent 34
• 65% Lifting 50
• 75 lbs Occasional 10
• 33% Lifting 75
• 100 lbs Occasional 10
• 33% Lifting over 100 lbs Occasional 10
• 33% Forward Reaching Continuous 66% of the day Overhead Reaching Frequent 34
• 65% Standing Continuous 66% of the day Walking Continuous 66% of the day Sitting Continuous 66% of the day Climbing Occasional 10
• 33% Stairs/Ladder Frequent 34
• 65% Bending/Stooping Continuous 66% of the day Twisting/Turning Continuous 66% of the day Kneeling/Squatting Frequent 34
• 65% Crawling Occasional 10
• 33% Pushing/Pulling 0
• 10 lbs Continuous 66% of the day Pushing/Pulling 10
• 20 lbs Frequent 34
• 65% Pushing/Pulling 20
• 35 lbs Occasional 10
• 33% Pushing/Pulling 35
• 50

Varied Shifts · variable