Physical Therapist (Outpatient)

Physical Therapist (Outpatient)

Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA

Positions: 1 full-time position

Experience: 2–20 years

Mission: Deliver compassionate, expert, and impactful care to our patients. Join our Chicago team in providing high-quality patient care.

Summary of Role

Under the administrative direction of Rehab Services and Occupational Medicine and the direct supervision of the Physical Therapy Supervisor, the Physical Therapist provides care appropriate to children and adolescents (ages 8–18), adults (ages 19–60), and geriatric adults (age 61 and older). The role includes providing community education on physical therapy topics and educational information to hospital personnel. The Physical Therapist works with Physical Therapist Assistants and other qualified department staff.

Duties must be performed confidentially and in accordance with the mission, values, and behaviors of the Hospital and Medical Center. Employees are expected to provide high-quality care and treat patients, staff, physicians, volunteers, and guests with kindness.

Duties and Responsibilities

Patient Evaluation

• Interpret physician referrals.
• Identify precautions and contraindications for common diagnoses.
• Counsel staff on specific physicians’ treatment philosophies.
• Serve as a resource to physicians when recommending appropriate physical therapy interventions.
• Provide medical personnel and PT staff with intervention resources when appropriate.
• Obtain pertinent patient information, including medical history and current medical or surgical interventions, from the patient or chart before the initial evaluation.
• Consult with the physician and nurse for clarification as needed.
• Consult with the supervisor when appropriate.
• Select and apply appropriate evaluation procedures as defined by each unit.
• Perform basic evaluation procedures competently and accurately for common diagnoses.
• Assess general mental, emotional, and cognitive status in common cases.
• Obtain current subjective information from the patient, including their understanding of the diagnosis, chief symptoms or complaints, status before diagnosis, functional limitations, previous treatment, and social history.
• Independently set and document measurable short- and long-term goals based on evaluation data for all diagnoses.
• Complete Physical Therapist evaluations before delegating tasks to Physical Therapy Assistants.
• Identify and document precautions, special problems, contraindications, goals, anticipated progress, and re-evaluation plans.
• Re-evaluate and modify the plan of care and goals as needed.

Treatment Planning and Implementation

• Review charts and obtain current information before each treatment session, recognizing data that may require changes to treatment.
• Seek guidance from appropriate personnel when needed and incorporate relevant information into treatment sessions.
• Use subjective and objective evaluation results to plan appropriate treatment programs based on diagnosis or disability.
• Progress treatment promptly for common diagnoses.
• Serve as a resource for Physical Therapy Assistants.
• Evaluate patient responses to treatment and revise goals, treatment, and plans as appropriate.
• Recognize and report abnormal physiological and psychological changes to appropriate personnel.
• Seek guidance in uncertain situations and document incidents with assistance.
• Instruct patients, healthcare providers, and families on participation in physical therapy programs.
• Involve patients and families in treatment planning and discharge as appropriate.
• Provide physical therapy recommendations for discharge.
• Recommend durable medical equipment or other therapeutic devices for in-hospital use or discharge to support optimal functioning and patient safety.
• Use appropriate modalities, including heat, cold, light, water, sound, and electricity.
• Use therapeutic exercise, mobilization, and exercise equipment.
• Explain the rationale for selecting particular procedures.
• Participate in individual patient care conferences, team conferences, clinics, and rounds to coordinate plans of care.
• Provide concise verbal reports on patient status when requested.
• Follow safety, infection control, and emergency procedures during treatment, using universal fluid precautions at all times.

Administrative and Operational Duties

• Maintain thorough knowledge of policies and procedures and refer to the Policy & Procedure Manual when carrying out job responsibilities.
• Organize the schedule to reflect a “Patients 1st” philosophy.
• Adjust schedules, coordinate with peers, and request assistance when necessary.
• Manage a patient load that meets the unit’s productivity standards.

Written Communication

• Complete electronic documentation, including initial evaluations, progress notes, home programs, discharge summaries, statistical reporting, charges, and interdisciplinary forms.
• Maintain timely and accurate department records in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
• Inform the supervisor if documentation falls behind schedule.
• Ensure documentation meets department, regulatory agency, and insurance standards.
• Complete variance reports.

Performance Improvement

• Participate in reviewing current clinical procedures, protocols, and forms.
• Recommend improvements.
• Complete unit-determined clinical competencies.
• Participate in quality improvement teams as needed.

Departmental Administration

• Attend unit and departmental meetings promptly unless formally excused.
• Recommend new equipment needs for the department, providing credible data and literature to justify need, benefit, and cost.
• Delegate responsibilities appropriately to support personnel and Physical Therapy Assistants.
• Inform the supervisor of significant developments, including unusual patient or physician concerns, equipment issues, and injuries to patients or self.
• Represent the department on patient care teams when requested.
• Ensure department equipment is in working condition and meets safety standards before use.
• Report defective equipment promptly to the supervisor and initiate work orders as appropriate.
• Use hospital equipment and supplies cost-effectively and responsibly.
• Maintain a clean work environment.

Educational Responsibilities

• Identify personal learning needs and seek educational experiences to address them.
• Attend hospital orientation.
• Attend at least 65% of departmental in-services offered.
• Meet department and accreditation standards for documenting in-services and continuing education, including hospital fire, safety, and infection control training.
• Document attendance on the professional education record.
• Complete at least 20 hours of continuing education per year.
• Stay current on physical therapy issues by reading journals, researching clinical questions, and attending APTA functions.
• Maintain current CPR certification according to department policy.
• Participate in at least one patient or community education program, such as scoliosis screening, back school, career days, job fairs, PT week, arthritis programs, outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation programs, clinical partner initiatives, collegiate nurse training, or transportation tech training.

Verbal Communication

• Build rapport with patients and families, explain therapy interventions, provide instruction, and answer questions.
• Give, receive, and validate information clearly, concisely, and in a timely manner.
• Recognize the effects of nonverbal communication and adjust posture, facial expressions, and mannerisms to meet situational needs.
• Manage personal emotional reactions when patient behavior becomes difficult, such as frightening, embarrassing, or angry.
• Maintain appropriate professional distance while demonstrating compassion and concern. Treat others with courtesy and respect.
• Comply with HIPAA by discussing confidential patient information only in private areas and when clinical assistance is required.
• Remain open to diverse points of view and approaches to patient problems.
• Identify potential conflicts and work toward positive outcomes.