Director of Rehab

Job Description

Job Description

Position Title: Director of Rehabilitation (DOR)
Department: Rehabilitation Services
Reports To: Facility Administrator / Executive Director
FLSA Status: Full-Time, Exempt
Location: Post-Acute Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)

Job Summary
The Director of Rehabilitation (DOR) is responsible for the overall management, clinical operations, and strategic direction of our in-house physical, occupational, and speech therapy departments. This role requires an experienced leader who can champion patient-centered care, directly manage our employed therapy staff, and ensure strict compliance with CMS regulations, state licensing laws, and Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) guidelines. The DOR maintains a productive interdisciplinary work environment while optimizing functional outcomes, length of stay, and operational efficiency using our core software platforms.

Key Responsibilities

• In-House Clinical Leadership & Program Development
  • Direct, supervise, and mentor our dedicated, in-house team of Physical Therapists (PT), Occupational Therapists (OT), and Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP).
  • Ensure the delivery of safe, effective, evidence-based therapy services tailored to short-term post-acute and long-term care residents.
  • Monitor patient clinical progress and outcomes through regular chart audits and quality assurance activities.
  • Drive restorative nursing and specialized clinical programs (e.g., fall prevention, wound care, contracture management) to support functional independence.
• Operational & Financial Management
  • Manage daily department workflow, staff scheduling, and case distribution to align with patient needs and facility occupancy.
  • Oversee departmental Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), including therapy utilization, clinical outcomes, length of stay, and rehospitalization rates.
  • Develop and monitor annual departmental budgets, manage labor costs, and maintain target productivity standards for internal staff.
  • Ensure accurate billing practices, timely charge tracking, and coordinate directly with the MDS coordinator to ensure accurate coding and PDPM reimbursement optimization.
• EMR Systems & Regulatory Compliance
  • Maintain mastery and oversee staff proficiency in utilizing PointClickCare (PCC) and NetHealth for all clinical documentation, tracking, and scheduling.
  • Maintain absolute compliance with Medicare guidelines, CMS regulations, and state Department of Health standards.
  • Oversee clinical documentation accuracy, ensuring all evaluations, treatment plans, progress notes, and discharge summaries meet professional and payer criteria.
  • Prepare the department for, and represent rehabilitation services during, state surveys and external audits.
  • Formulate and execute corrective action plans when internal deficiencies or survey issues are identified.
• Team Management & Development
  • Oversee recruitment, hiring, onboarding, retention, and professional development of the in-house therapy team.
  • Conduct annual performance evaluations and provide ongoing clinical coaching or performance management as required.
  • Foster a collaborative, positive workplace culture centered on accountability, teamwork, and professional excellence.
  • Supervise and guide physical therapist assistants (PTAs), certified occupational therapy assistants (COTAs), rehab aides, and students.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration
  • Serve as the primary liaison between the rehabilitation department, facility administration, nursing staff, medical directors, and families.
  • Participate actively in routine interdisciplinary facility meetings, including Utilization Review (UR), Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI), and triple-check billing reviews.
  • Assist the admissions team by evaluating potential admissions to assess rehab needs and resource requirements.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Education & Licensure
  • Graduate of an accredited program in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, or Speech-Language Pathology.
  • Active, unencumbered state licensure as a Physical Therapist (PT), Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), Occupational Therapist (OT), Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), or Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP).
  • Valid CPR/BLS certification.
• Experience
  • Minimum of 3–5 years of clinical experience in a skilled nursing or post-acute rehabilitation setting.
  • 1–2 years of progressive healthcare supervisory or therapy management experience preferred.
• Knowledge & Technical Skills
  • Strong operational knowledge of CMS regulations, Medicare Part A & B, and PDPM reimbursement models.
  • Hands-on proficiency and administrative comfort with PointClickCare (PCC) and NetHealth EMR systems.
  • Exceptional leadership, communication, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Physical Demands
  • Ability to lift, push, pull, or move objects up to 50 pounds.
  • Capacity to assist with patient transfers and stand or walk for extended periods.