Physical Therapist II

The Department of Public Health at Tewksbury Hospital is seeking a Physical Therapist II to join the team. In this role, you will evaluate patients’ needs, develop individualized treatment plans, deliver therapeutic interventions, and provide prevention and wellness services designed to minimize impairments, functional limitations, and disability. You will work collaboratively with medical and psychiatric teams while supporting patients and families through education related to mobility, adaptive equipment, braces, splints, artificial limbs, and wheelchairs.

This position also offers the opportunity to serve as a clinical resource and leader within the Physical Therapy Department. You will supervise physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, aides, and students; contribute to staff training and interdisciplinary education; participate in quality improvement initiatives; and help advance policies, procedures, and standards that support effective patient care.

This is a 40-hour position and the schedule is 7am-3:30pm.  The days off are Saturday and Sunday.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Evaluate adult patients with congenital, acquired, physical, psychiatric, and developmental conditions to determine physical therapy needs and appropriate treatment approaches.

• Develop and implement individualized physical therapy treatment plans using therapeutic exercises, modalities, and other evidence-based procedures.

• Provide preventive and wellness services designed to minimize functional decline, impairments, limitations, and disabilities.

• Educate patients and families regarding mobility, positioning, transfers, artificial limbs, braces, splints, ambulatory aids, and wheelchairs.

• Collaborate with medical, psychiatric, nursing, and other interdisciplinary teams to coordinate comprehensive patient care.

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of evaluations, treatments, patient progress, and related clinical activities.

• Supervise and provide guidance to Physical Therapist I staff, physical therapist assistants, physical therapy aides, and physical therapy students.

• Provide training and education to clinical staff, students, and hospital personnel on physical therapy procedures, mobility, positioning, transfers, and injury prevention.

• Participate in interdisciplinary meetings, professional education, quality improvement initiatives, and the development or revision of departmental policies, procedures, and standards.

• Coordinate student clinical experiences and, when needed, assume responsibility for the overall administration of the Physical Therapy Department in the absence of the Physical Therapist III.

Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and treatment techniques of physical therapy.

• Knowledge of physical therapy equipment, materials, therapeutic modalities, and procedures.

• Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology as applied to physical therapy practice.

• Ability to assess and interpret clinical information, analyze physical therapy data, draw conclusions, and make appropriate recommendations.

• Ability to gather and evaluate information through patient interviews, examinations, medical records, and other documentation.

• Ability to remain calm and exercise sound judgment in stressful or emergency situations and interact effectively with individuals experiencing physical or emotional stress.

• Ability to effectively supervise and motivate physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, physical therapy aides, and students.

•  Ability to organize and administer effective clinical education and training programs for students and hospital personnel.

• Ability to understand and apply policies, procedures, standards, guidelines, supervision principles, training methods, and performance evaluation practices.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience providing physical therapy services in a hospital, behavioral health, rehabilitation, or other complex clinical setting.

• Experience working with adults with significant medical, psychiatric, developmental, or functional needs.

• Demonstrated experience developing individualized treatment plans and adapting interventions to meet diverse patient needs.

• Experience using a broad range of therapeutic modalities, exercise programs, and mobility interventions.

• Experience providing patient and family education related to mobility, positioning, transfers, adaptive equipment, and assistive devices.

• Experience supervising or mentoring physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, aides, students, or other clinical personnel.

• Experience developing or delivering clinical training and educational programs for healthcare staff or students.

• Experience participating in interdisciplinary care teams, quality improvement initiatives, or clinical program development.

• Experience coordinating physical therapy student clinical placements or serving as a liaison with educational institutions.

• Demonstrated ability to provide clinical leadership, exercise sound judgment, and support departmental operations in a fast-paced healthcare environment.

About the Department of Public Health:

The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to prevent illness, injury, and premature death, to assure access to high quality public health and health care services, and to promote wellness and health equity for all people in the Commonwealth.

We envision a Commonwealth in which all people enjoy optimal health. Massachusetts ranks among the healthiest states according to comparative analyses, but we face numerous challenges, including chronic and infectious disease, substance abuse, violence, preventable hospitalizations, and health disparities.

DPH coordinates programs and policies to address specific diseases and conditions and offer services to address the needs of vulnerable populations. We also develop, implement, promote, and enforce regulations and policies to assure that the conditions under which people live are most conducive to health and enable people to make healthy choices for themselves and their families. We license health professionals, healthcare facilities and a variety of businesses that impact public health. We operate the state laboratory and four public health hospitals. We monitor health status and manage vital records including births, marriages and deaths. We educate people about public health issues and work closely with local boards of health and community partners to identify and solve public health problems.

More information can be found at: MA Department of Public Health

Pre-Offer Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

ADA Reasonable Accommodation:

If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests.

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. # 4.

Minimum Entrance Requirements: Applicants must have at least one year of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience as a physical therapist. 

Special Requirements: Possession of a current and valid Physical Therapist license issued by the Massachusetts Division of Licensure Board of Allied Health Professionals in accordance with Chapter 667 of the Acts of 1982.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range. 

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

Title 101 CMR 23.00 (“Regulation”) requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. The Regulation applies to this position. Successful candidates will be required to acknowledge and attest to your vaccination status for both COVID-19 and Influenza. 

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.