Acute Care Physical Therapist

Company Overview:

Embrace the adventure of a career at Aspen Valley Hospital. Aspen Valley Hospital is a twenty-five-bed community hospital that represents the best of two worlds — the warmth and friendliness of a small town and the technical expertise of a major medical center. Our award-winning hospital, nestled in the heart of Aspen, CO, includes a team of more than 500 people dedicated to making a difference for our patients, families, and community. Nationally we are recognized for providing some of the most exceptional patient care of any hospital across the country.

AVH requires the initial series of COVID-19 vaccinations for all staff.

This Position Offers:

Highly competitive pay, comprehensive benefits package (including generous PTO, health insurance within your first 30 days, retirement), being part of a very cohesive & supportive team, and four of North America's top ski resorts at your doorstep.

Job Overview:

Responsible for evaluation, planning, directing and administering physical therapy modalities of treatment as prescribed by a licensed physician.  Administers treatments and physical agents as prescribed by a referring physician in an effort to restore function and prevent disability following injury, disease or physical disability.  Assists patients reach their maximum performance and level of functioning for patient to function safely outside the hospital setting.  The acute care therapist coordinates, delegates and supervises responsibilities assigned to supportive staff.  The acute care therapist participates in operational aspects of the department, maintains performance improvement activities within the department and participates in CQI activities.  Provides input in formulating budget, assists in evaluating department performance versus budget controls and takes appropriate action to remain in budget guidelines. Ensures patient charges are accurate and entered on a timely basis.  Participates in all infection control, department equipment training, organizational safety and fire safety programs.  Is responsible for all inpatient care including PCU/ICU/ER/SDS patients.  Recommends appropriate setting for patient to leave hospital into a safe environment. 

Primary Scope of Responsibilities:

• Performs a detailed evaluation, including appropriate assessment on all patients as related to the therapy requested, using motor and neurological capabilities, and designs a treatment plan to achieve maximum physical performance while adjusting to disabilities.
• Evaluates various body systems using tests that include manual muscle testing (specific or functional), goniometry, reflex testing, neurological development testing, spine and joint mobility, evaluation, and gait and posture evaluation for each patient.
• Displays proficiency in application of physical agents and mechanical modalities, electrotherapeutic modalities and assistive, adaptive, orthotic, protective and prosthetic devices and equipment.
• Displays proficiency in soft tissue techniques, manual joint mobilization, stretching and relaxation techniques, gait training, exercise protocols, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, coordination, and balancing activities.
• Observes and evaluates treatment effects and communicates appropriately and clearly to physician, nurse and other professionals recommending changes to plan of care if necessary.
• Provides individualized patient and family education consistent with patient’s learning style, readiness to learn and self care needs. Evaluates patient’s response and documents effectiveness of patient learning in chart. Provides patient with HEP at discharge.
• Demonstrates the ability to assess and interact with patients and families using theories of human growth and development, family systems and cultural background.
• Attends morning Rounds, Swing Bed and PCU meetings to communicate and collaborate with staff, physicians, nurses, discharge planning in order to address patient care, resolve problems and improve the delivery of multidisciplinary care on a daily basis.
• Participates in staff scheduling and staff ratios to provide optimum patient care and demonstrates willingness to be flexible when necessary to staff the needs of the department.
• Applies individual and group problem solving; shares knowledge with others freely; consults openly; and assists others.
• Coordinates and directs patient care to ensure patients’ needs are met and hospital policy is followed.
• Maintains a good working relationship both within the department and with other departments.
• Adheres reliably to all accepted patient safety standards and encourages active involvement of patient and family in their safety.
• Manages and operates equipment safely and correctly and maintains department cleanliness and safety.
• Records pertinent clinical documentation in accordance with regulatory requirements, professional standards and hospital policy.
• Adheres to federal, state and hospital rules and regulations concerning HIPAA privacy and security.
• Follows Hospital compliance plan and policies, including the Code of Conduct.
• Participates in required training for compliance related activities (HIPAA, Compliance, Patient Safety, TJC, etc.)
• Demonstrates responsibility and accountability for own professional decision making
• Participates and contributes to unit meetings and activities
• Performs appropriate assessment on all patients and documents appropriately and timely on the medical chart ensuring that the patient’s chart is accurate and complete.
• Treats, provides equipment and educates emergency room patients based on physician orders.
• Establishes short and long term functional and measureable goals and formulates an effective plan with the patient, family and healthcare team as a result of the evaluation.
• Reevaluates and updates treatment plan according to departmental procedures.
• Documents patient’s progress toward goals and prepares reports regarding patient’s progress.
• Discharges patient in a timely fashion and ensures that patient’s chart is complete and in proper order as per departmental protocol.
• Accurately charges for treatments and supplies and produces an average of 3 workload units per productive hour worked.
• Will set inpatient schedule on a daily basis and inform PCU/ICU unit of patient schedule time.
• Coordinates and directs patient care to ensure patients’ needs are met and hospital policy is followed.
• Manage and educate pre-operation patients for their appropriate diagnosis and issue equipment as order by physician.
• Maintains a good working relationship both within the department and with other departments.
• Communicates appropriately and clearly to physicians, staff and administrative team
• Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices.

Minimum Qualifications & Requirements:

• 2 years of experience in an in-patient setting highly desired
• Ability to concentrate and show attention to detail
• Relatively high degree of analytical abilities
• Strong interpersonal skills required
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to read and communicate effectively in English
• Bi-Lingual in Spanish desired

Education/Certification Requirements:

• BS Degree in Physical Therapy or closely related field with MS or above in Physical Therapy
• Current Colorado physical therapy license
• Current BLS certification

Benefits & Compensation: 

Hire-in rates of pay are based upon the relevance of years of experience, education and certifications.  Our talent acquisition team will help you understand how your direct experience will be considered. 

Pay range for new hires: $37.18 - $48.33 /hr   

Our comprehensive benefits package includes generous paid time off, health insurance within your first 30 days, and retirement, which can be viewed here.