Physical Therapist - Emergency Room

• Masters or Doctorate degree of Physical Therapy. Must be licensed in the State of Arkansas to practice Physical Therapy. CPR certified.

• At least two years of clinical experience as a physical therapist. The ability to diagnose and treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal and neurological conditions or injuries. Effective oral and written communication skills. Basic computer skills.

• This is a safety sensitive position. Please see the St. Bernards Substance Abuse Policy for further information.
• Requires physical strength to perform the essential functions of the job. Must be able to work required schedule. Hearing within normal range. Frequent sitting, stooping, standing, walking, bending, pushing/pulling up to 250 pounds, and carrying up to 35 pounds, and lifting up to 100 pounds.

The Physical Therapist will meet and abide by rules and regulations set forth by the Board. A Physical Therapist in the Emergency Department plays a crucial role in assessing, treating, and managing patients with various conditions, primarily those related to musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiovascular, and integumentary systems. They are integrated into the ED team to provide early intervention; improve patient outcome, and disposition for patients.

Key responsibilities and duties includes but not limited to:

• Assessment and Evaluation: Conducting comprehensive patient assessments to determine their functional status, movement limitations, and pain levels. This includes reviewing medical history, performing physical examinations, and interpreting clinical data.
• Treatment Plan Development and Implementation: Developing individualized treatment plans based on patient needs, goals, and the specific condition. Utilizing a variety of interventions such as therapeutic exercises, manual therapy, gait training, and prescribing assistive devices to manage pain, improve mobility, and prevent further injury.
• Non-Pharmacological Pain Management: Providing non-pharmacological approaches to pain management, potentially reducing the need for opioid prescriptions.
• Safety Evaluations and Discharge Planning: Assessing patient safety and providing recommendations for safe discharge, including home safety evaluations, identifying caregiver needs, and arranging for necessary equipment. Facilitate discharge to the appropriate level of care.
• Collaboration and Communication: Working effectively as part of the interdisciplinary ED team, communicating with physicians, nurses, case managers, and other healthcare professionals to coordinate care. Educating patients and families about their condition, recovery process, and home care instructions.
• Clinical Reasoning and Differential Diagnosis: Possessing advances clinical reasoning skills to assess and differentiate various conditions, including recognizing potential “red flags” that might require further medical investigation.
• Mentoring and Education: Potentially serving as a clinical instructor for physical therapy students and providing guidance to less experienced therapists.
• Contribution to Program Development: May participate in initiatives to improve departmental performance and the physical therapy program within the ED.