Job Title: Physical Therapist
Location: Mountainside (MTN)
Department Name: Physical Therapy
Req #: 0000267783
Status: Hourly
Shift: Day
Pay Range: $78.36 - $78.36 per hour
Pay Transparency:
The above reflects the anticipated hourly wage range for this position if hired to work in New Jersey.
The compensation offered to the candidate selected for the position will depend on several factors, including the candidate's educational background, skills and professional experience.
Physical Therapist – Children's Specialized Hospital, RWJBarnabas Health
Our Physical Therapists play an essential role in helping children with injuries, illnesses, developmental differences, and other conditions improve their physical function, mobility, independence, and participation in daily activities. Working collaboratively with patients, families, physicians, nurses, therapists, and other members of the interdisciplinary team, our Physical Therapists provide individualized evaluation and treatment designed to restore function, relieve pain, prevent disability, and help each child reach their fullest potential.
Through comprehensive assessment, goal development, therapeutic intervention, family education, care coordination, and discharge planning, our Physical Therapists help children develop the skills and confidence needed to participate more fully at home, at school, and in their communities. We view our Physical Therapists as key members of the care team who bring clinical expertise, creativity, collaboration, and a family-centered approach to every patient interaction.
As a Physical Therapist, a typical day might include the following:
• Planning and administering individualized physical therapy programs designed to restore function, relieve pain, improve mobility, and prevent disability following injury, il
lness, or disease within the scope of practice.
• Selecting, administering, and interpreting appropriate assessment tools in accordance with competency expectations, including obtaining patient history, screening, observation, and formal evaluation.
• Evaluating patients to identify functional limitations, impairments, mobility challenges, and other factors affecting participation and independence.
• Identifying and prioritizing functional, measurable, and time-realistic goals focused on remediation, compensation, adaptation, or prevention of deficits.
• Developing individualized treatment plans based on the child’s diagnosis, developmental level, physical abilities, functional needs, family goals, and environmental demands.
• Selecting, utilizing, and evaluating the effectiveness of appropriate physical therapy treatment methods in accordance with established clinical competencies and standards of practice.
• Providing skilled therapeutic interventions to improve strength, mobility, balance, coordination, endurance, motor skills, functional independence, and participation.
• Applying principles of activity analysis to grade physical, perceptual, cognitive, and psychosocial demands to create an optimal match between the child’s abilities and environmental requirements.
• Monitoring patient response to treatment and modifying interventions and treatment plans based on clinical findings, progress, and changing patient needs.
• Communicating effectively with patients, families, and members of the interdisciplinary team through both formal and informal verbal and written communication.
• Establishing collaborative relationships with families and caregivers and providing education regarding therapeutic strategies, home programs, safety, functional goals, and recommendations.
• Communicating effectively with physicians, nursing staff, therapists, and other healthcare, education, and community professionals involved in the child’s care.
• Participating as an active member of the interdisciplinary team and contributing physical therapy expertise to patient care planning and decision-making.
• Collaborating with nursing, occupational therapy, speech therapy, physicians, orthotics professionals, educators, and other members of the care team to support coordinated patient care.
• Assisting in the training and education of staff, Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs), aides, students, and other individuals as designated by competency expectations.
• Assigning work to physical therapy assistants, aides, and other support personnel and following up to ensure satisfactory completion of assigned responsibilities.
• Supporting student training and clinical education opportunities in collaboration with universities and educational programs.
• Seeking appropriate supervision, consultation, and guidance regarding clinical performance and patient care when indicated.
• Actively contributing to individual and departmental improvement plans and effectively incorporating feedback into clinical practice.
• Demonstrating knowledge of symptoms, prognosis, and functional limitations associated with a variety of pediatric diagnostic groups.
• Explaining clinical findings, prognosis, functional limitations, and treatment recommendations to patients, families, and members of the healthcare team in a clear and understandable manner.
• Making appropriate discharge recommendations based on the child’s prognosis, expected roles and activities, functional status, family needs, and available community resources.
• Participating in discharge planning and helping patients and families transition effectively to home, school, community, and other appropriate settings.
• Meeting established annual productivity and volume expectations while maintaining quality, safety, and patient-centered care.
• Maintaining clinical competencies and actively pursuing opportunities to enhance professional knowledge and skills.
• Participating in quality improvement initiatives and contributing ideas and solutions that support improved patient outcomes and clinical services.
• Maintaining professional standards, clinical documentation, and communication practices consistent with hospital policies and applicable physical therapy standards.
• Building collaborative relationships with community organizations, universities, schools, and other external partners as appropriate to support patient care, clinical education, and professional development.
This Role Might Be For You If:
• You are passionate about pediatric physical therapy and helping children improve their mobility, function, independence, and quality of life.
• You enjoy working with children and families and understand the importance of a family-centered approach to pediatric care.
• You enjoy using clinical reasoning, creativity, and evidence-based interventions to develop individualized treatment plans.
• You excel at identifying functional challenges and developing meaningful goals that address the needs of the child and family.
• You are interested in helping children participate more fully in activities at home, at school, and in their communities.
• You are comfortable working collaboratively with physicians, nurses, therapists, families, caregivers, educators, and other members of an interdisciplinary healthcare team.
• You are an effective communicator who can clearly explain clinical findings, treatment recommendations, prognosis, and functional limitations to patients, families, and healthcare professionals.
• You enjoy supporting the development of others through training, mentorship, student education, and collaboration with PTAs and support staff.
• You value feedback, supervision, and consultation as important components of professional growth and high-quality clinical practice.
• You are organized and able to manage patient care responsibilities while meeting established productivity and annual volume expectations.
• You demonstrate tact, initiative, sound judgment, professionalism, and the ability to work effectively with children, families, and colleagues.
• You are committed to continuous learning and actively seek opportunities to strengthen your clinical knowledge and skills.
• You enjoy contributing ideas that improve patient care, clinical outcomes, team performance, and the overall patient experience.
• You are comfortable working in a pediatric healthcare environment that requires physical stamina for lifting, therapeutic handling, positioning, and assisting patients.
• You are interested in opportunities to collaborate with community organizations, universities, and other educational or healthcare partners.
To be considered for this opportunity, you must meet the following criteria:
• Education: Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree with a major in Physical Therapy from an accredited Physical Therapy program.
• Licensure: Current New Jersey Physical Therapy license and Valid Driver’s License.
• Basic Life Support: Current American Heart Association BLS Provider Certification.
• Pediatric Experience: Completion of a pediatric clinical affiliation is preferred.
• Clinical Skills: Demonstrated ability to evaluate functional limitations, develop individualized treatment plans, and provide appropriate therapeutic interventions within the scope of physical therapy practice.
• Leadership and Training: Ability to provide direction to PTAs, aides, and other support personnel and participate in student training as appropriate.
• Schedule Requirements: Ability to work a schedule based on patient care, departmental, and organizational needs.
RWJBarnabas Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer
