Description
Evaluate and treat hospitalized patients to restore mobility, reduce complications, and facilitate safe discharge after illness, injury, or surgery. Deliver evidence-based, time-sensitive interventions across acute and ICU settings while monitoring medical stability and collaborating with the interprofessional team.
- • Review physician orders, history, labs, imaging, and precautions to determine acute PT needs.
- • Perform and document an initial exam, including vitals, cardiopulmonary status, cognition, strength, sensation, and functional mobility.
- • Use acute care outcome measures (e.g., AM-PAC 6-Clicks) to identify impairments and discharge needs.
- • Triage and prioritize consults based on medical stability, mobility risk, and discharge timelines.
- • Develop and implement time-limited plans for bed mobility, transfers, gait, balance, and stairs.
- • Monitor hemodynamic responses during activity; modify or stop treatment and notify the team as needed.
- • Provide early mobility in ICU and acute units while safely managing lines, drains, and ventilators.
- • Administer therapeutic exercise, manual techniques, and positioning to reduce pain and prevent deconditioning.
- • Apply physical agents when indicated and safe in the acute setting.
- • Educate patients and caregivers on precautions (weight-bearing, spinal, sternal), fall prevention, and safe mobility.
- • Teach breathing exercises, airway clearance, and energy conservation to optimize function.
- • Evaluate, fit, or recommend durable medical equipment and bracing; coordinate procurement and training.
- • Collaborate with physicians, nurses, respiratory therapy, OT, SLP, and case management to plan and adjust care.
- • Establish goals, anticipated progress, and plans for reevaluation; update based on hospital course.
- • Document evaluations, daily notes, goals, response, and progress in the EHR; obtain informed consent.
- • Recommend activity orders and mobility levels; communicate handoffs and precautions to staff.
- • Participate in interdisciplinary rounds and discharge planning; recommend post-acute level of care and therapy frequency.
- • Prepare patients and families for transition, including home programs and service referrals.
- • Discontinue PT when goals are met, medical status changes, or at hospital discharge; arrange appropriate follow-up.
- • Identify findings outside PT scope or contraindications and escalate to the medical team.
- • Adhere to infection prevention, safe patient handling, and hospital safety policies.
- • Supervise and direct PTAs, aides, and students; provide education to staff on mobility pathways.
- • Contribute to quality improvement, protocol development, and application of current evidence in acute care.
- • Direct group mobility or rehabilitation sessions when appropriate on inpatient units.
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
