Physical Therapist- IL- College of Health Sciences-0.6 FTE

The Physical Therapist will provide patient-centered, evidence-informed physical therapy services at Midwestern University’s Physical Therapy Institute (PTI), including as-needed clinical coverage for clinical faculty.

The primary caseload includes patients with vestibular disorders, balance impairments, increased fall risk, and selected neurologic conditions appropriate for PTI’s outpatient setting, as well as patients with orthopedic or other conditions within the therapist’s demonstrated competence and assigned responsibilities.

In addition to providing clinical care, the Physical Therapist will contribute to the Institute’s clinical and educational mission through interprofessional collaboration, assigned clinical instruction, student observation experiences, and participation in designated screening activities. This position will work 24 hours per week.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform appropriate patient interviews, systems screening, examinations, and evaluations to identify impairments, activity limitations, participation restrictions, safety concerns, and the need for physical therapy or referral to another professional.
• Establish individualized plans of care with measurable, patient-centered goals. Provide and modify evidence-informed interventions to improve or maintain function, promote safety and participation, alleviate symptoms, and prevent or reduce further dysfunction.
• Provide assessment and treatment for vestibular dysfunction, balance and gait impairments, fall risk, and selected neurologic conditions within demonstrated competence and PTI’s clinical capabilities.
• Use appropriate standardized measures and clinical reassessment to evaluate patient response, document progress or maintenance needs, modify the plan of care, and determine readiness for discharge or transition to other services.
• Recognize findings that warrant medical consultation, urgent evaluation, or referral. Coordinate care and complete required communications with treating or referring health care professionals in accordance with applicable law and institutional policy.
• Educate patients and caregivers regarding the condition, treatment plan, home program, symptom management, fall prevention, and safe mobility, as appropriate. Adapt communication and instruction to individual needs.
• Complete accurate and timely evaluations, treatment notes, progress reports, discharge summaries, charge entry, and professional correspondence in the electronic health record, consistent with institutional time frames and applicable payer requirements.
• Review relevant records and existing plans of care when assuming patient coverage. Communicate significant findings, treatment changes, precautions, and follow-up needs to the treating faculty member or receiving clinician.
• Collaborate with referring professionals and relevant MWU clinics and institutes, including Family Medicine, Speech & Language, Dental, and Eye services, to support coordinated patient care and appropriate referrals.
• Provide clinical instruction and supervision for physical therapist students as assigned, consistent with student readiness, patient needs, applicable supervision requirements, and institutional policies. Provide timely feedback, complete assigned assessments, and communicate concerns to designated clinical education personnel.
• Facilitate approved observation experiences for students from physical therapy and other professional programs while maintaining patient privacy, consent, safety, and appropriate limits on observer participation.
• Maintain a safe clinical environment; follow infection-prevention and emergency-response procedures; inspect and clean equipment as required; and report or remove unsafe equipment from service according to policy.
• Practice in accordance with the Illinois Physical Therapy Act and applicable administrative rules, the APTA Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapy Profession and applicable standards of practice, payer requirements, and Midwestern University policies.
• Participate in assigned MWU interprofessional screening clinics, clinical quality-improvement activities, and relevant staff meetings, consistent with the position’s schedule and clinical responsibilities.
• Perform other related duties consistent with professional qualifications and the position’s purpose, as assigned by the PTI Academic Clinic Coordinator.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. The individual must be able to work in a constant state of alertness and in a safe manner and have regular, predictable, in-person attendance. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education And/or Experience

• Must have a BS or MS from a CAPTE-accredited physical therapist program or its equivalent.
• Current Illinois license as a Physical Therapist in good standing, with physical therapy experience in an outpatient, adult orthopedic or neuro physical therapy setting.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience as a physical therapist.

Computer Skills

Computer proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), experience with an EHR.

Language Skills

High skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information to top management and boards of directors. Ability to effectively, efficiently, and sensitively communicate to patients/clients in both oral and written format and perceive nonverbal communication.

Reasoning Ability

High skills: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that are required for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations might be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to frequently stand. The employee is regularly required to walk; reach with hands and arms.

The employee is required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; talk and hear. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds vertically and horizontally.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Midwestern University is a private, not-for-profit organization that provides graduate and post-graduate education in the health sciences. The University has two campuses, one in Downers Grove, Illinois, and the other in Glendale, Arizona.

More than 6,000 full-time students are enrolled in graduate programs in osteopathic medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nurse anesthesia, cardiovascular perfusion, podiatry, optometry, clinical psychology, speech language pathology, biomedical sciences, and veterinary medicine.

Over 500 full-time faculty members and 400 staff members are dedicated to the education and development of our students in an environment that encourages learning, respect for all members of the health care team, service, interdisciplinary scholarly activity, and personal growth.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance plans as well as life insurance, short/long-term disability, and pet insurance. We offer flexible spending accounts, including healthcare reimbursement and a child/dependent care account.

We offer a work-life balance with a competitive time off package including paid holidays, sick/flex days, personal days, and vacation days. We offer a 403(b) retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, a child care subsidy reimbursement program, identity theft protection, and an employee assistance program.

Wellness is important to us, and we offer a wellness facility on-site with a fully equipped fitness facility.

Midwestern University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that does not discriminate against an employee or applicant based upon race; color; religion; creed; national origin or ancestry; ethnicity; sex (including pregnancy); gender (including gender expressions, gender identity; and sexual orientation); marital status; age; disability; citizenship; past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services; genetic information; or any other protected class, in accord with all federal, state and local laws and regulations.

Midwestern University complies with the Smoke-Free Arizona Act (A.R.S. 36-601.01) and the Smoke-Free Illinois Act (410 ILCS 82/). Midwestern University complies with the Illinois Equal Pay Act of 2003 and Arizona Equal Pay Acts.