Physical Therapist

General Purpose

The Physical Therapist (PT) is responsible for evaluating residents and developing individualized treatment plans designed to improve or restore mobility, reduce pain, enhance physical function, and maximize independence. The PT provides skilled therapeutic interventions that promote safety, strength, balance, endurance, and overall quality of life.

Working collaboratively with physicians, nursing staff, residents, families, and interdisciplinary team members, the Physical Therapist plays a critical role in helping residents achieve their highest practicable level of function within a skilled nursing, rehabilitation, or post-acute care setting.

Responsibilities

Assessment & Care Planning

• Conduct comprehensive physical therapy evaluations upon admission, following significant changes in condition, and as required by physician orders or regulatory guidelines.
• Assess residents' strength, mobility, balance, gait, range of motion, functional abilities, pain levels, and rehabilitation potential.
• Develop and implement individualized treatment plans based on evaluation findings, physician orders, resident goals, and clinical best practices.
• Establish measurable short-term and long-term therapy goals in collaboration with residents, families, and interdisciplinary team members.
• Perform ongoing reassessments and modify treatment plans based on resident progress, outcomes, and changing needs.

Therapeutic Intervention

• Provide direct physical therapy services, including therapeutic exercises, gait training, balance training, mobility enhancement, transfer training, endurance conditioning, and pain management techniques.
• Develop interventions designed to improve strength, flexibility, coordination, posture, and functional mobility.
• Recommend, fit, and train residents in the use of assistive devices such as walkers, wheelchairs, canes, orthotics, braces, and adaptive equipment.
• Implement fall prevention programs and safety interventions to reduce injury risk and improve functional independence.
• Modify therapeutic interventions as appropriate based on clinical progress, tolerance, safety considerations, and treatment outcomes.
• Utilize evidence-based treatment approaches to maximize resident recovery and functional performance.

Supervision & Oversight

• Supervise and delegate responsibilities to Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) in accordance with state practice acts and facility policies.
• Provide clinical direction, guidance, and support to rehabilitation staff to ensure care is delivered according to established plans of care.
• Offer instruction and education to therapy aides, nursing personnel, caregivers, and family members regarding therapy techniques and care recommendations.
• Monitor delegated services to ensure quality, consistency, and compliance with professional standards.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive documentation, including evaluations, treatment notes, progress reports, recertifications, discharge summaries, and billing records.
• Ensure documentation supports medical necessity, clinical outcomes, reimbursement requirements, and regulatory compliance.
• Comply with Medicare, Medicaid, PDPM, managed care, and third-party payer requirements.
• Maintain resident confidentiality and comply with HIPAA regulations and facility policies.
• Participate in audits, quality reviews, and compliance monitoring activities as required.

Collaboration & Communication

• Participate in interdisciplinary care plan meetings, discharge planning conferences, and resident reviews.
• Collaborate with physicians, nursing staff, Occupational Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists, social workers, and other healthcare professionals.
• Communicate resident progress, treatment outcomes, recommendations, and safety concerns to appropriate team members.
• Educate residents, families, and caregivers regarding home exercise programs, mobility strategies, fall prevention, safety precautions, and discharge recommendations.
• Promote resident-centered care through effective communication, advocacy, and involvement in treatment planning.

Quality Improvement & Professional Development

• Participate in Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) initiatives related to rehabilitation and clinical outcomes.
• Maintain current knowledge of physical therapy practices, clinical research, regulatory requirements, and rehabilitation trends.
• Participate in continuing education programs and professional development activities.
• Support departmental goals, performance improvement efforts, and rehabilitation program development initiatives.

Qualifications

• Regular and reliable attendance is required to perform the essential functions of this position.
• Graduate of an accredited Physical Therapy program.
• Current, unrestricted Physical Therapist licensure in the state of employment.
• Experience in skilled nursing, post-acute care, rehabilitation, long-term care, or related healthcare settings preferred.
• Knowledge of federal and state regulations, including Medicare, Medicaid, CMS requirements, PDPM, and rehabilitation reimbursement guidelines.
• Strong clinical assessment, treatment planning, clinical reasoning, and therapeutic intervention skills.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, leadership, and customer service skills.
• Ability to develop and implement individualized treatment plans that support positive resident outcomes.
• Competence in supervising Physical Therapist Assistants and supporting rehabilitation team development.
• Proficiency with electronic medical records (EMR), therapy documentation systems, and rehabilitation software.
• Strong organizational, time-management, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
• Commitment to evidence-based, resident-centered care and continuous quality improvement.
• Current CPR certification preferred or as required by state regulations or facility policy.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Facility-based work performed in skilled nursing, rehabilitation, post-acute, and long-term care environments.
• Requires standing, walking, bending, reaching, kneeling, lifting, transferring, and assisting residents during therapy sessions.
• Ability to manage multiple residents and prioritize responsibilities in a fast-paced clinical setting.
• Manual dexterity sufficient to perform therapeutic interventions and operate rehabilitation equipment.
• Exposure to resident care-related conditions requiring adherence to infection prevention and safety protocols.
• Visual and auditory acuity sufficient to assess resident function, review documentation, and communicate effectively.
• Must be able to lift, transfer, push, pull, or support up to 75 pounds, with or without assistance, as required to safely perform therapy interventions.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Direct resident-facing work performed in resident rooms, therapy gyms, treatment areas, and common spaces.
• Frequent interaction with residents, families, physicians, nursing personnel, therapy staff, and interdisciplinary healthcare team members.
• Occasional exposure to bodily fluids, infectious materials, and medical equipment during resident care activities.
• Work may involve extended periods of standing, walking, bending, lifting, transferring, and assisting residents during therapy sessions.
• Environment requires adherence to infection prevention standards, safety protocols, and proper use of rehabilitation equipment.
• Collaborative and fast-paced rehabilitation setting focused on maximizing resident mobility, function, safety, independence, and quality of life.

Disclaimer

Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Critical features of this job are described under various headings above. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.

The above statements are strictly intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees in this position.