Physical Therapist (Full time, Monday - Friday Day Shift)

Organization Overview, Mission, Vision, and Values Our mission is to improve the health of people in the communities we serve through compassionate, high-quality care, prevention, and wellness education. Washington Regional Medical System is a community-owned, locally governed, non-profit health care system located in Northwest Arkansas in the heart of Fayetteville, which is consistently ranked among the Best Places to live in the country. Our 425-bed medical center has been named the #1 hospital in Arkansas for five consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report. We employ 3,300+ team members and serve the region with over 40 clinic locations, the region's only Level II trauma center, and five Centers of Excellence - the Washington Regional J.B. Hunt Transport Services Neuroscience Institute; Washington Regional Walker Heart Institute; Washington Regional Women and Infants Center; Washington Regional Total Joint Center; and Washington Regional Pat Walker Center for Seniors. Position Summary The Physical Therapist reports to the Physical Medicine Manager and is responsible for evaluating, planning, and implementing individualized physical therapy services for hospital patients across a range of diagnoses and levels of acuity. This role supports the restoration of mobility, functional independence, and safe discharge outcomes through evidence-based interventions, ongoing reassessment, and collaboration with physicians, nursing, case management, and other interdisciplinary team members. The Physical Therapist provides care in accordance with physician orders, professional standards of practice, regulatory requirements, and organizational policies while promoting patient safety, quality outcomes, and exceptional patient experience. Essential Position Responsibilities Perform comprehensive physical therapy evaluations, assess functional limitations, and develop individualized plans of care based on patient diagnosis, physician orders, and clinical presentation. Provide therapeutic interventions designed to improve mobility, strength, balance, endurance, pain management, and overall functional independence for hospitalized patients. Reassess patient progress regularly and modify treatment plans, goals, and discharge recommendations based on response to treatment and changing clinical needs. Collaborate with physicians, nursing, occupational therapy, speech therapy, case management, and other members of the care team to coordinate treatment, support safe transitions of care, and optimize patient outcomes. Educate patients, families, and caregivers regarding mobility strategies, precautions, home exercise programs, use of adaptive equipment, and discharge needs. Ensure timely, accurate, and complete clinical documentation that reflects evaluation findings, treatment interventions, patient response, progress toward goals, and discharge planning. Identify patient safety risks, implement fall prevention and mobility precautions, and maintain compliance with hospital policies, infection prevention standards, and applicable regulatory requirements. Support a patient-centered, service-oriented environment by demonstrating professionalism, clinical judgment, effective communication, and a commitment to quality improvement.

Qualifications Education:

Graduation from an accredited physical therapy program is required.

Licensure and Certifications:

Current Arkansas Physical Therapy license is required. Current CPR certification is required.

Experience:

Previous experience in hospital-based, acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, or other clinical physical therapy practice is preferred. Experience working with medically complex patients and interdisciplinary care teams is highly desirable.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Strong clinical assessment and treatment planning skills; knowledge of rehabilitation principles and safe patient handling techniques; ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, providers, and care team members; and ability to prioritize workload in a fast-paced hospital environment.

Work Environment:

This position requires frequent standing and walking, as well as regular pushing, pulling, lifting, repositioning, and transferring patients and equipment, with the ability to lift up to 50 pounds. The role also includes periods of sitting for documentation and care coordination tasks performed in a standard clinical or office environment. The Physical Therapist serves a culturally and linguistically diverse patient population and may be exposed to communicable diseases, bodily fluids, and other conditions common to a hospital setting.