Travel Inpatient Rehab Physical Therapist

Job DescriptionAn Inpatient Rehab Physical Therapist provides rehabilitative care for patients recovering from illness, injury, surgery, neurologic conditions, orthopedic conditions, or functional decline requiring intensive therapy services. This role evaluates mobility, strength, balance, endurance, and functional independence to develop individualized treatment plans that support recovery and safe transitions of care.

The Physical Therapist delivers evidence-based interventions to improve movement, reduce functional limitations, prevent complications, and promote patient participation in daily activities. Collaboration with physicians, rehabilitation nurses, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, case managers, and other interdisciplinary team members is essential to coordinate goals, monitor progress, and support optimal patient outcomes.

Travel Inpatient Rehab Physical Therapists work contract assignments in multiple healthcare facilities, including inpatient rehabilitation units, acute rehab settings, and hospital-based rehabilitation departments. Assignments may require rapid adaptation to new clinical environments, facility workflows, documentation systems, equipment, and interdisciplinary team practices. Schedules may include rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, and floating when appropriate to meet patient care and department needs.

Responsibilities
• Evaluate patients in the inpatient rehabilitation setting to assess mobility, strength, range of motion, balance, gait, endurance, and functional limitations.

• Develop and implement individualized physical therapy plans of care based on patient diagnosis, functional status, rehabilitation goals, and physician orders.

• Provide therapeutic exercise, gait training, transfer training, balance activities, neuromuscular re-education, and functional mobility interventions.

• Monitor patient response to treatment and modify interventions to support safe progression toward functional independence.

• Educate patients and caregivers on mobility techniques, assistive device use, fall prevention, home safety, and continued rehabilitation needs.

• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary rehabilitation team to establish goals, coordinate treatment plans, and participate in care conferences when appropriate.

• Document evaluations, treatment sessions, progress, discharge recommendations, and patient outcomes accurately in the medical record.

• Recommend appropriate durable medical equipment, assistive devices, and mobility aids based on patient needs and safety considerations.

• Support discharge planning by assessing functional readiness, caregiver training needs, and the appropriate level of post-discharge therapy services.

• Maintain patient safety during therapy sessions by applying proper body mechanics, infection prevention practices, and fall risk precautions.

Qualifications
• Education: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy program. Graduates of previously accredited physical therapy degree programs may be considered when consistent with licensure requirements.

• Licensure: Active, unrestricted Physical Therapist license in the state of practice or eligibility for state licensure as required by state regulations.

• Certifications
• BLS

• Skills: Strong clinical judgment, functional assessment skills, and knowledge of inpatient rehabilitation practices are required. Proficiency in therapeutic exercise, gait training, transfer techniques, assistive device use, patient education, documentation, and interdisciplinary communication is essential. Familiarity with EHR systems, patient safety standards, and rehabilitation outcome measures supports effective care delivery.

Experience
Minimum one year of recent Physical Therapist experience required for travel positions. Recent inpatient rehabilitation, acute rehabilitation, or hospital-based therapy experience is strongly preferred. Experience with medically complex patients, neurologic rehabilitation, orthopedic recovery, mobility progression, and interdisciplinary discharge planning may be required depending on the assignment.

Preferences
• Experience in an inpatient rehabilitation facility or acute rehab unit

• Advanced training in neurologic, orthopedic, geriatric, or vestibular rehabilitation

• Experience with functional outcome measures used in rehabilitation settings

• EHR or EMR documentation experience

• Quality improvement, clinical education, or preceptor experience

• Bilingual communication skills when applicable to the patient population

Benefits
• Medical Insurance

• Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• Retirement Plan (401(k))

• Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Sick Leave

• Continuing Education Assistance

• Professional Development

• Travel Reimbursement

• Housing Assistance

• Life Insurance

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)