Job Description

Develop and implement physical therapy services and direct patient care in coordination with the inter-disciplinary team and in compliance with organizational goals and appropriate regulatory agencies. Under the supervision of the Chief of Physical Therapy, provides physical therapy care to adolescent, adult and geriatric patients with various diagnoses. Major duties include patient evaluation, treatment planning for effective patient outcomes problem resolution, patient care documentation, attendance at patient care related meetings, delegation of duties to support personnel, participation as a member of a team, maintenance of an appropriate level of productivity, and participation in performance improvement activities. After one year of experience, serves as a clinical instructor for first year Physical Therapy interns for a 2-6 week internship.

The Physical Therapy Department is committed to delivering evidence-based, patient-centered rehabilitation services that promote functional independence, mobility, and overall quality of life. Services are provided to adolescent, adult, and geriatric populations across a variety of service lines, and medical diagnoses. The department operates within an interdisciplinary care model, collaborating closely with physicians, nursing, case management, and ancillary services to ensure coordinated and comprehensive patient care. Physical Therapists are responsible for conducting thorough evaluations, developing individualized treatment plans, implementing therapeutic interventions, and reassessing patient progress to achieve optimal outcomes. The department emphasizes regulatory compliance, accurate and timely documentation, productivity standards, and continuous performance improvement. Staff actively participate in quality initiatives, patient care conferences, and departmental education. After one year of clinical experience, Physical Therapists may serve as clinical instructors, supporting the professional development of Physical Therapy interns and fostering a culture of mentorship and clinical excellence. The Physical Therapy Department maintains a strong commitment to safety, professionalism, teamwork, and excellence in rehabilitative care delivery.

Essential Duties:

• Upon referral of a patient to the Department, the therapist initiates care per policy evaluating and establishing a treatment plan.
• Employee manages all aspects of physical therapy intervention.
• Employee consistently completes all required documentation as per departmental policy.
• Employee participates in clinic and rounds as patient care responsibilities allow.
• Attends and contributes to patient care conferences, as listed above to provide continuity of care or if unable to attend provides written progress/plans for each patient to the rounds/clinic liaison in a timely manner.
• For all patient serviced by discipline provides education and makes recommendation to other healthcare professionals on the team regarding discharge plans and/or modification to the plan.
• Assumes responsibility as lead in assigned physician rounds/clinics and coordinates all aspects of communication to and from physician and therapist.
• Employee effectively manages a full patient caseload, which includes all aspects (i.e. patient care, documentation and communication, and assists in meeting departmental efficiency requirements).
• Able to be flexible with last minute scheduling changes and prioritizing. Able to be lead PT, while still maintaining lead caseload.
• Thorough organization of unscheduled non –productive time (i.e. Patient not available, outpatient cancellation, etc.), able to improve department efficiency (i.e. Assists other staff, projects, other documentation), while still maintaining a full caseload.
• Employee exhibits skills to provide care in a variety of PT disciplines/settings (i.e. Acute, outpatient, cardiac, Norris, wound care and OP neuro).
• Employee assumes staffing of unit and patient care delivery as lead PT.
• After one year, provides education for and evaluates performance of at least 1 student for a cumulative minimum total of 4 weeks and receives satisfactory evaluation from the CCCE.
• After 6 months at USCUH, provides education for and evaluates performance of new staff members competencies or registry via orientation, check off.
• Provides formal education to internal or external departments (i.e.-therapy department, outpatient-surgery, residents, etc.)
• Attends one professional meeting per year (district, state or national) or is a member of the APTA.
• Demonstrates commitment to the profession as evidenced by membership in the APTA and attends a professional meeting.
• Publishes, speaks, participates in clinical research or runs for elected office committee member in the APTA.
• Employee assumes responsibility for a special project as assigned by Department Director or chief.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Req Current knowledge of treatment practices.
• Req Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• Req Must demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills, and mature and sound judgment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Pref Master's degree Masters in Physical Therapy

• Pref Experience in health field.

Required Licenses/Certifications:

• Req Physical Therapist - PT (CA DCA) OR licensed applicant status for 1 examination period for California licensure, and must have California licensure within 90 days post hire.
• Req Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider from American Heart Association
• Req Fire Life Safety Training (LA City) If no card upon hire, one must be obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained by renewal before expiration date. (Required within LA City only)

The hourly rate range for this position is $46.00 - $76.07. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to theBackground Screening Policy Appendix Dfor specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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