Physical Therapist, Inpatient (Acute Care)

Job Description

Job Description

Overview

We are looking to add another dynamic Physical Therapist to join our team! At VHC Health, the Physical Therapists are embedded in the hospital units, which allows each therapist to focus on specific patient populations/service lines and deepen their knowledge base and skill set tailored to their units' needs. While embedded, the inpatient therapists are part of one team, receiving opportunities to treat a variety of patient populations including orthopedic, oncology, cardiac, medical/surgical, neurology, ICU, and trauma, in order to meet the day-to-day needs of the hospital.

VHC Health offers a comprehensive onboarding process, with a designated mentorship program and ongoing coaching from the Senior Physical Therapist that extends well beyond the first 90 days. We have a high level of collaboration across all disciplines within the Rehabilitation Department and with other departments, actively involved in daily interdisciplinary care coordination. Our inpatient therapists are also involved in numerous hospital-wide initiatives, including activity/mobility promotion, fall prevention, delirium prevention, hospital-acquired pressure injury prevention, and steering committees for the trauma, post-operative, and stroke service lines working to uphold a high standard of care and clinical excellence.

The department boasts a supportive team culture, with flexible schedules to facilitate a positive and individualized work-life balance. There are opportunities for professional growth and career advancement, including a comprehensive clinical ladder. As VHC Health is constantly advancing and expanding its inpatient services, there are ample opportunities to effect change and impact the direction and scope of growth as pertains to rehabilitation.

Located in Arlington, Virginia, VHC Health is a 548-bed, independent, not-for-profit health system and nationally recognized teaching hospital. We have proudly served the Washington, DC metropolitan community for more than 75 years. Consistently ranked among the top hospitals in Virginia and the region, VHC Health has earned recognition as a 2025 Forbes Best-In-State Employer and a 2025 Newsweek World’s Best Hospital. We also hold the prestigious Magnet® designation for nursing excellence. As a Level II Trauma Center, we are committed to delivering exceptional, patient-centered care when it matters most.

Responsibilities

At VHC Health, every role contributes to exceptional care, better outcomes, and stronger communities.

In addition to your base compensation, VHC Health offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage (subject to eligibility requirements), as well as additional wellness and retirement benefits designed to support our employees and their families.

VHC Health is committed to wage transparency and equitable pay practices. The compensation offered for this position—whether expressed as an annual salary or hourly rate—is determined based on a variety of legitimate, non-discriminatory factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, a candidate’s qualifications, relevant training and experience, skill level, shift differentials (where applicable), internal equity, and current market conditions.

The posted hiring range reflects the range VHC Health, in good faith, believes is appropriate for this role at the time of posting. This range may be adjusted in the future based on business needs or market changes. No portion of compensation is considered earned until it is vested and determined in accordance with the terms of applicable policies and benefit plans. The availability and amount of any bonuses, incentives, or other benefits are subject to the terms of those plans and may be modified at the sole discretion of VHC Health, in accordance with applicable law.

VHC Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, pregnancy (including childbirth, pregnancy-related conditions and lactation), race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristics protected by law.

VHC Health maintains a drug-free workplace. The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance is prohibited at all VHC Health locations.

Qualifications

Purpose & Scope:

“An individual physical therapist’s scope of practice is influenced by professional, jurisdictional, and personal scopes of practice.
Over the course of the physical therapist’s career, scope of practice evolves based on considerations including, but not limited to, societal needs; progressive professional development activities of the physical therapist; modifications to jurisdictional laws and regulations; advancements in knowledge, research, clinical skills, and technology; and the evolving health delivery system.
The professional scope of physical therapist practice is grounded in basic, behavioral, and clinical sciences. It is supported by education, based on a body of evidence, and linked to existing and emerging practice frameworks. The professional scope of practice evolves in response to innovation, research, collaboration, and changes in societal needs.
The professional scope of practice consists of patient and client management, which includes diagnosis and prognosis, to optimize physical function, movement, performance, health, quality of life, and well-being across the lifespan. In addition, the professional scope of practice includes contributions to public health services aimed at improving population health and the human experience.
The jurisdictional scope of physical therapist practice is established by the practice act governing the specific physical therapist’s license and the rules adopted pursuant to that act.
The personal scope of physical therapist practice consists of activities for which an individual physical therapist is educated, trained, and is competent to perform.”

Reference: American Physical Therapy Association
PHYSICAL THERAPIST’S SCOPE OF PRACTICE HOD P06-17-09-16/HOD P06-17-08-07 Last Updated 9/13/17

Education:

Bachelor's degree in physical therapy is required.

Master's degree or doctorate in physical therapy is preferred.

Experience:

One year of experience in physical therapy is preferred.

Certification/Licensure:

Licensed as a Physical Therapist by the Virginia Department of Health Professions is required.

BLS certification is required.