As one of the nation’s leading pediatric health care systems, Nemours is committed to providing all children with their best chance to grow up healthy. We offer integrated, family-centered care to more than 280,000 children each year in our pediatric hospitals, specialty clinics and primary care practices in Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Nemours strives to ensure a healthier tomorrow for all children – even those who may never enter our doors – through our world-changing research, education and advocacy efforts. At Nemours, our Associates help us deliver on the promise we make to every family we have the privilege of serving: to treat their child as if they were our own.

Located in Orlando, Florida, Nemours Children’s Hospital is the newest addition to the Nemours integrated health care system. Our 100-bed pediatric hospital also features the area’s only 24-hour Emergency Department designed just for kids and outpatient pediatric clinics, including several specialties previously unavailable in the region. A hospital designed by families for families, Nemours Children’s Hospital blends the healing power of nature with the latest in health care innovation to deliver world-class care to the children of Central Florida and beyond. In keeping with our goal of bringing Nemours care into the communities we serve, we also provide specialty outpatient care in several clinics located throughout the region.

Provides physical therapy evaluation, treatment and consultation independently to typical patients and less common patients within a program under the prescription of a physician and within the guidelines designated by departmental and hospital policies and procedures. Demonstrates clinical competency in direct patient care and begins to assume greater responsibilities toward specialty areas and program development. Expands knowledge of less common poplulations seen within the program through mentorship and educational opportunities.

Direct Patient Care Responsibilities

• Demonstrates proficiency in the care of all ages: pediatrics and adolescents.
• Demonstrates proficiency in the care of neonates as required by assignment.
• Performs all essential and marginal responsibilities of a Staff I Physical Therapist.
• Evaluates patients for physical therapy treatment, including positioning, adaptive equipment, home programs, home accessibility, etc. Independently provides and coordinates age-appropriate physical therapy treatment plans, treatment and consultation in typical patient care situations. Provides information, evaluation, treatment and support to families while considering the lifelong implications for various diagnoses of the patient.
• Consults with other services, families and outside agencies to recommend equipment, home or school modifications, transition of care, etc.
• Assists in coordinating outside agencies to recommend durable medical equipment, home/school modifications and transitional therapy program prior to discharge from therapy/hospital.
• Completes timely documentation as required by departmental policy, The Joint Commission and CARF standards.
• Attends meetings related to patient treatment and contributes to discussion as an interdisciplinary team member. Takes leadership role as indicated by team/supervisor.
• Maintains knowledge of insurance referral/authorization process and documentation requirements related to therapy services.
• Provides inservice training programs and follows specific protocols/pathways for direct patient care issues as mandated by hospital specialty programs. When applicable, works with staff to review and revise protocols/pathways.
• Has developed and continues to develop clinical skills in a specialty area(s) within the physical therapy discipline.
• Attends meetings related to patient treatment and contributes to discussion as an interdisciplinary team member.
• Assists with maintenance of department equipment.

Indirect Patient Care Responsibilities

• Staff Development: Coordinates and provides inservices/staff mentoring on specific technical skills and interventions. Requisitions specialty materials and coordinates budget suggestions for program needs and therapeutic equipment. Completes peer review forms, and suggests changes and revisions to the peer review system. Reviews discipline-specific competencies annually to reflect current practice and treatment techniques.
• CQI: Participates in program, discipline, specialty and hospital-wide PI projects. Trains staff on CQI and records/reports on PI projects.
• Assessment and Treatment: Assesses and provides input to staff on new evaluation and treatment tools. Designs and reviews treatment and evaluation protocols, and coordinates the design and implementation of critical and clinical pathways.
• Program Development: Develops strategic goals for specialty, discipline and/or program in collaboration with director. Reviews/revises clinical tools. Assists in designing activities to increase program use, awareness and marketability. Attends program meetings.
• Clinical Education: Teaches classes in the hospital or community on specialty areas as needed. Provides clinical mentorship.training and guidance to Level I staff as needed. Adequately and appropriately supervises PTA staff. Supervises and assists with students as needed by department. Coordinates educational requests from internal/external programs.
• Teamwork: Coordinates and participates in program, discipline, intra-hospital and extra-hospital educational programming for typical and specialty populations with medical, nursing and other ancillary staff. Leads/coordinates multidisciplinary or program specialty teams.
• Professional Development: Cultivates ties and develops an active role within professional organizations. Attends advanced course work for specialty development and presents inservice to staff. May prepare professional abstracts, design professional poster presentations, design teaching modules, serve on professional association committees, and pursue professional specialty certification.  Leads/attends physical therapy meetings as scheduled in hospital. Participates and/or leads promotional activities for physical therapy and rehabilitation.
• Weekend Rehab Rotation: Checks crash cart per hospital policy.

Requirements

• 3+ years experience
• Strong multi-specialty knowledge related to pediatrics, orthopaedics and sports medicine.
• Post-graduate (6+ years of formal training/education beyond high school; e.g., Ph.D., M.D., J.D.).
• DPT is entry-level; must be eligible for FL licensure.
• Florida state license to practice physical therapy.
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification within 6 months of employment.
• American Heart Association BLS required upon hire.
• Member of professional specialty organizations (APTA, Florida PT Association) preferred.

Our dedication to professionals who are dedicated to children frequently earns Nemours a spot on the list of top workplaces in the communities we serve. Our Associates enjoy comprehensive benefits, including our unique “Bridge to a Healthy Future” pediatric health plan, an integrated wellness program, opportunities for professional growth, and much more.

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As an equal opportunity employer, Nemours is committed to focusing on the best-qualified applicants for our openings.