Physical Therapist

Overview

As a patient-focused organization, University of Utah Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of people through patient care, research and education. Success in this mission requires a culture of collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. University of Utah Health seeks staff that are committed to the values of compassion, collaboration, innovation, responsibility, integrity, quality and trust that are integral to our mission.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions

• Evaluates and assesses the patient’s abilities and limitations.
• Establishes plan of treatment and goals based on the referral and evaluation of functional skills, joint mobility, gait, developmental reflexes, muscle strength, tone, and coordination, sensation tests, and other measures to ensure rapid patient recovery.
• Implements therapy according to the established plan, utilizing appropriate procedures, equipment and techniques within the scope of physical therapy.
• May participate in wound management through wound debridement, dressing changes, exercise, stretching, and splinting.
• Recommends adaptive equipment, completes the equipment justification forms and arranges for the delivery of equipment.
• Re‑evaluates patients, assesses their progress and makes recommendations regarding discharge.
• Consults and co‑treats with other patient care team members to discuss patient progress, set objectives for patient treatment and integrate physical treatment with other activities.
• Educates the patient and/or caregiver about the findings of the evaluation, established goals of the physical therapy program, plan of treatment, home programs, injury prevention and other related information.
• Evaluates home or work environments and makes physical barrier modification or ergonomic recommendations.
• May assist with departmental program development and training physical therapy students.
• May provide in‑services for staff, other departments, and the community.
• Provides documentation of patient care according to established criteria.
• Participates in continuous quality improvement projects.
• Supervises the patient care activities of aides, assistants, attendants, students, and volunteers.
• Participates in in‑services, medical conferences, staff meetings, continuing education courses, team meetings, and other related activities.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined above.
• Demonstrated human relation and effective communication skills.
• Current knowledge of safety issues needed in the treatment of patients, especially regarding body substance precautions and body mechanics to protect self, patients and personnel working with therapists.
• Ability to participate in rotations of work area, weekends and week‑day hours and assigned holidays.
• Ability to follow ethical guidelines outlined by the American Physical Therapy Association.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on the assigned unit.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of life span growth and development and the ability to assess data regarding the patient’s status and provide care as described in the department’s policies and procedures manual.

Qualifications

Licenses Required

• Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system. The eCredential is to be obtained within 30 days of hire.
• Current license to practice as a Physical Therapist in the State of Utah, or obtain one within 90 days of hire under the Physical Therapy Compact if switching residency to State of Utah. Must maintain current Physical Therapy Compact (multi‑state) license if residency is not being changed to Utah.

* Additional license requirements as determined by the hiring department.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

• This position involves intermediate working conditions in a healthcare setting that may exert up to 50 pounds and may consistently require lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or otherwise moving patients or objects, such as medical equipment, while providing patient care. Workers in this position may be exposed to infectious diseases and may be required to function around prisoners or behavioral health patients.

Physical Requirements

Carrying, Climbing, Color Determination, Crawling, Lifting, Listening, Manual Dexterity, Near Vision, Pulling and/or Pushing, Reaching, Sitting, Speaking, Standing, Stooping and Crouching, Walking

Multi‑lingual Candidates Welcomed

To inquire about this posting, email: View email address on click.appcast.io

EEO Statement

University of Utah Health Hospitals and Clinics, a part of The University of Utah, values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented students and patient populations.

All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

University of Utah Health Hospitals and Clinics, a part of The University of Utah, is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy‑related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, please contact the University of Utah Health Hospitals and Clinics Human Resources office at View phone number on click.appcast.io. If you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at:

Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu/. This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.