Physical Therapist I - Southeast Medical Center

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Our Values

Respect | Belonging | Accountability | Transparency

Department

Job Summary

Practicing independently within the scope of licensure, the Physical Therapist I delivers safe, competent, and evidence-based physical therapy services, including evaluation, treatment, and discharge planning. This role contributes to improved mobility, pain reduction, increased strength, and correction of functional limitations resulting from injury or disease.

The Physical Therapist I manages a caseload while developing foundational clinical skills, clinical reasoning, and decision-making abilities. This role actively seeks mentorship, feedback, and learning opportunities to support professional growth and increasing independence. Responsibilities include adhering to established clinical protocols and standards of practice, providing high-quality patient care, and collaborating with interdisciplinary care teams, family members, and caregivers to coordinate effective, patient-centered treatment plans.

Essential Functions:

• Patient Care
  
  Provides safe, evidence-based physical therapy by performing and documenting comprehensive evaluations, identifying functional problems, and establishing accurate diagnoses prior to intervention. Develops and maintains individualized plans of care in collaboration with physicians, patients, and families-setting age-appropriate, measurable short- and long-term goals and establishing clear discharge criteria. Delivers therapeutic treatments aimed at improving mobility, relieving pain, increasing strength, and correcting or managing impairments resulting from injury or disease. Communicates proposed interventions, risks, benefits, and alternatives to patients and caregivers, and regularly reassesses and adjusts treatment plans to maximize outcomes. (70%)
• Documentation
  
  Complete timely patient care documentation recording the prognosis, treatment, response, and progress in patient's chart. Update medical records according to departmental and accrediting body standards. Complete appropriate data bases, problem lists, treatment goals and individualized plan of care. Accurately submits patient charges per department guidelines. (10%)
• Care Coordination
  
  Coordinates patient care across the continuum by communicating effectively with physicians, nurses, case managers, rehabilitation staff, and other members of the interdisciplinary team to support safe, efficient, and cohesive treatment delivery. Ensures all required regulatory, documentation, and payer-related processes-such as treatment authorizations, plan-of-care updates, medical necessity justification, and timely completion of progress reports-are accurately completed in accordance with departmental, state, and federal standards. Facilitates smooth transitions of care by sharing relevant clinical information, updating patient status, planning follow-up needs, and providing clear recommendations to internal and external care partners. Collaborates to resolve barriers to care, support patient readiness for discharge. (10%)
• Education
  
  Educates patients, family members and caregivers in physical therapy principles, methods and techniques to achieve intended outcomes. Reviews research and seeks mentorship to expand clinical reasoning. (10%)

Education:

• Doctoral degree from accredited Physical Therapy program required

Work Experience:

• Less than 1 year required. New grads welcome to apply.

Licenses:

• BLS-Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) - AHA - American Heart Association or American Red Cross required

- And -

• PTL-Physical Therapist License - DORA - Department of Regulatory Agencies required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of theory, principles and evidence-based practice of physical therapy.
• Manages caseload including timely and appropriate documentation and meeting departmental productivity expectations.
• Delegates patient care responsibilities to support staff and supervises appropriately.
• Communicates clearly with patients, families, and team members; demonstrates professionalism and teamwork.
• Participates in departmental process improvement/program development initiatives.
• Knowledge of safety principles in patient care environment.
• Ability to integrate requirements of the facility and/or regulatory agencies into clinical decisions and documentation.
• Knowledge of standards, polices and procedures of Denver Health as they pertain to physical therapy.

Shift

Work Type

Salary

Benefits

At Denver Health, we take care of the people who take care of our community. Our benefits are built to support your life, your family, and your future - with generous paid time off, fully paid parental leave, exceptional retirement contributions, comprehensive health coverage, and nationally recognized well-being programs. We invest in your growth through tuition assistance, career advancement pathways, and professional development - while also offering meaningful financial advantages through loan forgiveness eligibility and employer contributions. When you join Denver Health, you're joining a mission-driven organization that invests in you.

Here is a small list of our benefit programs:

• Paid time off starting at 28 days per year, inclusive of vacation, personal/sick, and 7 Holidays
• 100% paid parental leave up to 6 weeks
• Immediate eligibility for retirement plans with employer contribution up to 9.5%
• Generous medical, dental, vision plans in addition to employer paid disability and life insurance.
• Comprehensive well-being programs including on-site employee fitness center located on Denver Health main campus and nationally recognized RESTORE Center
• Free RTD EcoPass (public transportation)
• Childcare discount programs & exclusive perks on large brands, travel, and more
• Tuition reimbursement & assistance
• Education, coaching, and professional development opportunities through the Workforce Development Center (WFDC) that support internal career growth and advancement pathways
• Professional clinical advancement program & shared governance
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer+ free student loan coaching and assistance navigating the PSLF program
• National Health Service Corps (NHCS) and Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC) eligible employer

About Denver Health

Denver Health is an integrated, high-quality academic healthcare system considered a model for the nation that includes a Level I Trauma Center, a 555-bed acute care medical center, Denver's 911 emergency medical response system, 10 family health centers, 19 school-based health centers, Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety, the Public Health Institute at Denver Health, Denver Health Medical Plan and Denver Health Foundation.

As Colorado's primary, and essential, safety-net healthcare system, Denver Health is a mission-driven organization that has provided millions in uncompensated care for the uninsured each year.

Located near downtown Denver, Denver Health is just minutes away from many of the cultural and recreational activities Denver has to offer.

Denver Health is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We value the unique ideas, talents and contributions reflective of the needs of our community. All job applicants for safety-sensitive positions must pass a pre-employment drug test, once a conditional offer of employment has been made. Applicants will be considered until the position is filled.