STAFF PHYSICAL THERAPIST/ ACUTE CARE

STAFF PHYSICAL THERAPIST- ACUTE CARE/ FULL TIME/ 40 HOURS/ DAYS/ BWH BOSTON MAIN CAMPUS

GENERAL SUMMARY/ OVERVIEW STATEMENT:

Inpatient Rehabilitation Services at Brigham and Women's Hospital provides physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and swallow services, and orthopedic technology services to patients on a consult basis to those on our inpatient floors, ICUs, and the Emergency Department. Brigham and Women's Hospital is a nationally ranked academic medical center located in the Longwood Medical Area of Boston, Massachusetts.

Staff physical therapists will be joining a team with a diverse background in clinical care and expertise. The primary responsibility of the staff physical therapist is to provide patient care in accordance to State licensing regulations, departmental standards, and policies, and accepted professional standards of care. The Brigham offers physical therapists the opportunity to rotate to seven teams with diverse diagnoses across multiple adult populations, including Orthopedics/Trauma, Cardiovascular, Thoracic/Pulmonary, Oncology, Neurology, General Medicine, and the Emergency Department.

Staff therapists will receive mentorship from experienced clinicians, many of whom are Board Certified Clinical Specialists. In addition to regular collaboration with other rehab disciplines as well as the multidisciplinary team, therapists will have many opportunities for clinical growth through regular internal continuing education programming offered, financial support for continuing education courses and conferences, and access to a formal mentorship program.

Opportunities to advance along our established merit based clinical ladder program allow clinicians to be recognized for their contributions and accomplishments (i.e., staff therapist, senior therapist, clinical specialist)

Therapists will also participate in a variety of Rehabilitation Department Committees to enhance their professional growth in addition to their clinical care. These committees include: The Community Resource Committee, Practice Standards Committee, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Committee, Staff Development Committee, Rehab Recognition Committee, and Research Committee.

This staff physical therapist position is an excellent opportunity for a Massachusetts licensed Physical Therapist seeking clinical and professional development growth at a dynamic academic medical center.

Primary Assigned Clinical Area: Inpatient Acute Care and Dana Farber Inpatient Hospital within BWH

Rotation through weekend coverage is expected in this role.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Examines and evaluates patient's physical therapy needs. In collaboration with the patient and/or caregiver, formulates a physical therapy diagnosis, and develops a treatment plan with treatment goals directed towards maximizing function.

2. Demonstrates competency in all clinical knowledge and skills specific to the patient case type(s) in assigned area of care.

3. Consults with other members of the health care team to ensure coordination and effectiveness of therapies provided.

4. Assists in implementation of triaging, prioritizing, monitoring admissions, referrals, and discharges to and from the service as assigned.

5. Manages patient caseload assigned.

6. Participates in activities that directed towards increasing knowledge and skill and professional development.

7. Participates in departmental meetings, which help to formulate policies, procedures and program development.

8. Supervises aides and other support personnel as appropriate.

9. Supervises students and other individuals seeking educational experiences related to physical therapy.

10. Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Must be a graduate of an accredited physical therapy program.

2. Must possess a current unrestricted license to practice physical therapy from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

SKILLS/ ABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

1. Must possess communication and interpersonal skills sufficient to manage a diverse patient population of varying diagnosis and case types.

2. Must possess analytical abilities and sound knowledge in Physical Therapy to effectively manage a varied caseload demonstrating sound clinical decision-making and judgment (up to 90% of work time).

3. Work requires up to three months orientation to acquire necessary familiarity with department and hospital policies and procedures, and the specific quality standards of care and competencies, and procedures unique to the assigned patient area.

4. Must possess effective communication skills (written and verbal) to interact with patients (up to 70% of work time), rehabilitation and medical team (up to 20% of work time), and patients' families (up to 10% of work time).

5. Work requires prolonged walking and standing (up to 95% of work time); lifting, transferring, and positioning of patients and equipment (10% - 50% of work time), and the transportation of patients (up to 10% of work time).

6. Work with critically ill patients (up to 10% of work time) produces a high level of stress and mental fatigue.

7. Must be able to work with newborns (if assigned) to the oldest old (up to 20% of the work time). The majority of patient care (70% of work time) is the 18- to 65-year-olds.

8. The individual in this position must demonstrate appropriate knowledge of the principles of growth and development, which would include neonates to the oldest old. In addition, the therapist must demonstrate competency in examination/evaluation and treatment relative to age specific needs for the patient population for which they provide therapy, and as described in the department's practice standards

WORKING CONDITIONS:

1. Works in hospital environments where there is some exposure to blood/body fluids/hazardous materials, communicable diseases (10% - 25% of work time) and unpleasant odors (up to 25% of work time).

2. Work requiring physical effort for lifting, transferring, and positioning of patients and/or equipment (up to 50% of work time) may result in musculoskeletal strain or injury with improper body mechanics.

3. Work requires use of sharp and/or electrical equipment (up to 20%), which could result in, cuts or burns with improper safety.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Assists with supervision and education of student PTs, PT assistants, and aides.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Patient charges are entered in an accurate and timely manner as appropriately supported by the medical documentation.

2. Hospital and department equipment is managed in an appropriate and cost-efficient manner.

HOSPITAL WIDE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Works within legal, regulatory, accreditation and ethical practice standards relevant to the position and as established by BWH/Partners; follows safe practices required for the position; complies with appropriate BWH and Partners policies and procedures; fulfills any training required by BWH and/or Partners, as appropriate; brings potential matters of non-compliance to the attention of the supervisor or other appropriate hospital staff.

Brigham and Women's Hospital is an Affirmative Action Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.