Physical Therapist - Pool/PRN

National Jewish Health is seeking a PRN Outpatient Physical Therapist to join our dedicated Rehab Services team. This role offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact by helping patients restore function, improve well-being, and return to activity. The position involves working with a diverse patient population in a collaborative outpatient setting, providing care that supports long-term health and quality of life.

Key responsibilities and opportunities include:

• Providing outpatient physical therapy services to patients across the lifespan with cardiopulmonary, neurological, and orthopedic conditions
• Participating in a multidisciplinary approach to care, with opportunities to treat pediatric patients and adults with COPD, ILD, post-ICU recovery, ALS, and other complex conditions
• Applying critical thinking and clinical reasoning to address multiple body systems in patient care
• Demonstrating compassion, motivation, and commitment to treating the whole patient
• Collaborating with a dynamic, team-oriented group of providers
• Adapting to the evolving needs of the department and patient population with flexibility and initiative

For 125 years, National Jewish Health has been the leading respiratory hospital in the nation, recognized for its expertise in pulmonology and related diseases. As a pioneer in preventive and personalized medicine, the institution combines world-class clinical care, cutting-edge research, and academic excellence to improve patients' lives. Professionals who join the team at National Jewish Health become part of a mission-driven organization where science advances care and every role supports meaningful outcomes.

Position Summary

Provides full performance Physical Therapy services to adult and pediatric patients, including assessment, treatment, program planning and implementation related documentation and communication utilizing physical therapy theory, sound judgment, and psychological and cultural sensitivity. Contributes to department education by acting as a consultant on clinical matters for other therapists, and Physical Therapist Assistants, as well as supervision of students and interns.

Essential Duties

1. Evaluates patients, considering the cognitive, physical, emotional, and chronological maturation process of the patient in a safe manner. Interprets evaluation of findings to patients, family/significant other and care team. Reassesses patient progress on an on-going basis, assists with scheduling, and charges patients appropriately for services rendered.
2. Develops goals and treatment plans to achieve identified goals. Coordinates treatment plan with the patient, the patient's family, and care team. Treatment plan to include communication of a home or community program to maintain and enhance the performance of the patient in their own environment. Evaluates and may recommend termination of services when maximum benefit has been achieved.
3. Implements care and treatment safely on land and/or in shallow/deep ends of the therapy pool directly or provides technical direction to a physical therapist assistant that recognizes age specific needs and issues of the customer. Monitors patient's response to intervention and modifies treatment as indicated to attain goals.
4. Documents results of patient's evaluation, treatment, follow-up and termination of service. Reviews the quality and appropriateness of individual rehabilitation therapy programs for effectiveness and efficiency, using predetermined criteria and considering age specific issues. Maintains service-related records; follows billing and documentation procedures.
5. Plans and realizes continuing education, career development needs, and cross-training, as directed. Provides technical direction to assistants, aides, and volunteers, as well as student affiliations/internships. Maintains professional development and education related records. Develops and provides in-service education to members of the Rehabilitation Services department and the hospital as assigned.

Other Duties

1. Performs as a back up to staff absences and vacancies, as necessary.

Competencies

1. Accountability: Accepts full responsibility for self and contribution as a team member; displays honesty and truthfulness; confronts problems quickly; displays a strong commitment to organizational success and inspires others to commit to goals; demonstrates a commitment to National Jewish Health.
2. Adaptability: Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work responsibilities or environment; adjusting effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures.
3. Care Management: Having the knowledge and skills to secure relevant patient information and identify key issues and relationships in the management of patient care; understanding the relationships among assessments, interventions, and patient responses; skilled in documentation of assessments and adjusting physical and cognitive prescriptions as needed.
4. Initiative: Taking prompt action to accomplish objectives; taking action to achieve goals beyond what is required; being proactive.
5. Managing Work and Time/Project Management: Effectively managing one's time and resources to ensure that work is completed efficiently.
6. Patient Relations: Meeting patient and patient family needs; taking responsibility for a patient's safety, satisfaction, and clinical outcomes; using appropriate interpersonal techniques to resolve difficult patient situations and regain patient confidence
7. Peer Relationships: Interacts with others in a constructive, positive, and respectful manner, regardless of individual differences. Assists team members or co-workers in achieving personal goals and completing assignments.
8. Professional Development or Continuous Learning and Development: Actively identifying new areas for learning; using newly gained knowledge and skill to enhance their contribution to the organization.

Supervisory or Managerial Responsibility

None

Travel

None

Core Values

1. Be available to work as scheduled and report to work on time.
2. Be willing to accept supervision and work well with others.
3. Be well groomed, appropriately for your role and wear ID Badge visibly.
4. Be in compliance with all departmental and institutional policies, the Employee Handbook, Code of Conduct and completes NetLearning by due date annually.
5. Promotes a workplace culture based on mutual respect and merit, where all individuals are treated fairly and provided with equal opportunity to contribute to the mission and goals of the institution.
6. Adheres to safe working practices and at all times follows all institutional and departmental safety policies and procedures.
7. Wears appropriate PPE as outlined by the infection control policies and procedures.
8. Demonstrates compliance with all state, federal and all other regulatory agency requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Education: Physical Therapy Degree from an APTA accredited program required.
2. Work Experience: A minimum of one (1) years of recent and related experience preferred.
3. Special Training, Certification or Licensure: CPR/BLS required. Current Colorado State License for Physical Therapy required.

Salary Range: $40.32 - $53.32

Benefits: This is a PRN position that is not eligible for benefits.