Director of Rehabilitation Services

Job Description

Job Description

Summary:  The Director of Rehabilitation Services is responsible for the overall management and strategic direction of the rehabilitation department. This includes administrative, clinical, and financial oversight for physical, occupational, and speech therapy services. The director ensures the department operates efficiently, provides exceptional patient care, and complies with all state, federal, and accreditation standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Directly supervises all clinical and administrative staff within the rehabilitation department.

• Manages the recruitment, hiring, training, and development of new personnel.

• Conducts performance reviews, provides regular feedback, and oversees disciplinary actions as needed.

• Delegates tasks and provides guidance to therapy managers, assistants, and students. 

Operational and Administrative

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the rehabilitation department, including scheduling, resource allocation, and quality assurance.

• Develop, implement, and maintain departmental policies and procedures to ensure regulatory compliance and high-quality care.

• Collaborate with other facility department heads to integrate rehabilitation services with overall patient care.

• Manage the department's budget, including monitoring revenue, controlling expenses, and forecasting financial performance.

• Prepare and present regular reports on departmental performance, patient outcomes, and budget to senior management. 

Clinical and Quality

• Provide clinical leadership and expertise to ensure the delivery of evidence-based, compassionate, and patient-centered care.

• Develop and implement new rehabilitation programs and services to meet the needs of the patient population and achieve organizational goals.

• Monitor patient progress and adjust program strategies to optimize outcomes and enhance patient satisfaction.

• Ensure the department maintains all regulatory and accreditation standards (e.g., CARF, CMS).

• Participate in performance improvement initiatives and promote best practices in rehabilitation therapy. 

Communication and Engagement

• Act as a liaison between the rehabilitation department, medical staff, patients, and families.

• Cultivate and maintain positive relationships with physicians, referring partners, and external healthcare providers.

• Facilitate open communication and foster a collaborative, positive culture within the rehabilitation team.

• Represent the organization professionally at all times and adhere to ethical business practices. 

• Perform other duties as assigned by Supervisor and/or Manager

The above listing of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive but rather to serve as a description of the range of duties and general nature of the position.  Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Education and Work Experience: 

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's or Doctorate in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, or Speech Language Pathology preferred.

• A minimum of 3-5 years of direct patient care experience in a rehabilitation setting, with at least 1-2 years of proven management or leadership experience.

• Strong leadership, management, and team-building skills.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Exceptional organizational, time management, and problem-solving abilities.

• In-depth knowledge of rehabilitation therapies, industry trends, and healthcare regulations.

• Proficiency with electronic health records (EHR) and relevant financial management systems.

• Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse, multidisciplinary team. 

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: 

• Current and unencumbered license as a Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, or Speech Language Pathologist as required by state practice.

Knowledge and Skills: 

1. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are mandatory.

2. Must be detail oriented and comfortable working in fast-paced and rapidly changing environment.

3. Teamwork collaboration is essential to the organization, so it is critical that the manager communicates and interacts well with other team members and is able to build positive relationships across all levels within the organization.

4. Must possess excellent organizational skills and be extremely flexible to meet customer demands, in addition to being able to work independently and prioritize multiple tasks in a changing environment with a high degree of accuracy.

5. Ability to follow oral and written instructions.

6. Ability to positively interact with personnel, customers, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel and the general public.

7. Interacts with customers, families, visitors, center and the Company’s subsidiary personnel;

8. Carries out other tasks as requested in situations where hands-on intervention/participation may be required.

9. Provide annual verification of negative TB skin test.

Essential Job Functions — Physical & Work Conditions
- Physical demands: frequent standing and walking; occasional sitting. Regular reaching
(including overhead), handling/fingering, feeling, talking/hearing, and seeing. Occasional
stooping, crouching, climbing stairs, balancing, and twisting; kneeling and crawling are
not typically required.
- Patient care and equipment handling: ability to assist with mobility and handle clinic
equipment of approximately 20 lbs (pulling, lifting, carrying, pushing). Assistive devices
and team support are available per protocol.
- Work environment: primarily an indoor clinical setting; occasional travel up to ~5%.
- Environmental factors: typical clinic conditions; no routine exposure to extreme
temperatures, wet/humid environments, fumes, poor ventilation, dusts, gases,
unprotected heights, or moving machinery. Occasional operation of automotive
equipment and use of foot controls may be required. Standard protective equipment
(e.g., gowns, masks, gloves) used per policy.
- Work situations: role involves measurable goals, frequent interaction with patients and
teams, repetitive/continuous tasks, problemsolving, following instructions, and
performing under routine clinical demands