Director of Rehabilitation

Job Summary: To plan, organize, direct, and evaluate rehabilitation services across Bethesda’s care settings, including the Skilled Nursing Facility, Home Health, and Outpatient programs, so the quality of care reflects the philosophy of Bethesda. Responsible for the clinical management, staffing, compliance, budget oversight, and overall operations of the therapy department, which encompasses a staff of Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists, and therapy assistants.

Job Relationships:

1. Reports to: Vice President of Operations
2. Supervisory Responsibilities: Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists, Physical Therapist Assistants, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants, and therapy support staff.
3. Internal Relationships: VP of Operations, SNF Administrator, Home Health and Hospice Director, Director of Nursing, Social Services, Human Resources, Accounts Payable, Billing.
4. External Contacts: Physicians, Medical Director, MDH personnel, CMS surveyors, hospital discharge planners, referral sources, patients and families, and the general community.

Hours of Work: 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Must be available via telephone during business hours and as needed after normal business hours.

Dress Code: Professional attire appropriate to a clinical and administrative environment; identification badge required at all times.

Essential Requirements of Work: (Minimum qualifications necessary to function at full productivity.)

1. Education:

1. Licensed Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, or Speech-Language Pathologist with current, unrestricted licensure in the State of Minnesota.
2. Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.

2. Experience:

1. Minimum three (3) years of clinical therapy experience, preferably in a post-acute, skilled nursing, or home health setting.
2. Minimum two (2) years of supervisory or leadership experience in a therapy or healthcare setting.
3. Home health and SNF experience preferred.
4. Basic to intermediate computer skills required.

3. Personal:

1. Highly developed communication skills, both oral and written.
2. Proven time management and organizational skills.
3. Self-motivated with strong attention to detail.
4. Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
5. Ability to adapt to various work settings and changing priorities.
6. Demonstrated leadership and team-building skills.

4. Job Knowledge:

1. Therapy management across post-acute, home health, and outpatient care settings.
2. PDPM (SNF) and PDGM (Home Health) billing and documentation requirements.
3. Medicare (including Medicare Advantage), Medicaid, Commercial Insurance, Worker’s Compensation, and other reimbursement systems.
4. State and federal regulations governing therapy practice and SNF/home health operations.
5. Team building, staff development, and performance management.
6. Financial management and budget oversight.
7. Electronic health record (EHR) systems and therapy documentation platforms.

1. Standing and walking required for extended periods.
2. Occasional kneeling, stooping, squatting, twisting, and bending.
3. Infrequent lifting up to 50 pounds; occasional assistance with patient mobility as clinically appropriate.
4. Sitting required for documentation, administrative, and computer-based tasks.

Responsibility: Select and assign personnel.

Tasks:

1. Interview, select, and hire all therapy staff, including PTs, OTs, SLPs, therapy assistants, and support personnel.
2. Ensure all staff are appropriately licensed and/or certified in the State of Minnesota.
3. Review job descriptions, compensation, and hours of work with each new employee at the time of hire.
4. Coordinate with Human Resources to ensure background checks and onboarding steps are completed.
5. Ensure all staff maintain required continuing education and licensure in good standing.
6. Conduct orientation and training for all new therapy staff.

Responsibility: Monitor staff work performance.

Tasks:

1. Provide opportunities for employees to attend continuing education, in-services, and professional development programs.
2. Hold regular staff meetings to review policies, procedures, and operational updates. Document content and attendance.
3. Investigate and document all employee incidents and concerns.
4. Monitor workers’ compensation cases to support timely return to full duty.
5. Assign or complete all performance evaluations in accordance with Bethesda’s review cycle.
6. Provide corrective action as necessary to maintain consistency, quality care, and staff accountability.
7. Ensure required supervision of therapy assistants is completed per state and federal regulations.

Responsibility: Assure quality patient care.

Tasks:

1. Oversee the referral, admission, evaluation, and scheduling process for therapy services across all care settings.
2. Protect and promote the rights of each patient, including keeping patients free from abuse and neglect. Investigate, evaluate, report, and follow up on any complaints received.
3. Develop, implement, review, and revise departmental policies and procedures that guide and support the provision of therapy services.
4. Assure compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements across all service lines.
5. Prepare and maintain therapy department survey readiness materials.
6. Develop, implement, and review a therapy-specific Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) program.
7. Oversee documentation accuracy and completeness across all therapy staff and platforms.
8. Conduct periodic chart audits and implement corrective action as indicated.
9. Monitor clinical outcomes and implement evidence-based practices to drive continuous improvement.
10. Participate in interdisciplinary care conferences and care planning meetings.

Responsibility: Financial management of the therapy department.

Tasks:

1. Monitor departmental productivity and financial performance on an ongoing basis.
2. Review financial and billing reports regularly. Monitor revenue and expenses against budget.
3. Coordinate with the billing office to ensure all required documentation is completed for accurate and timely billing of therapy services.
4. Work with the Vice President of Operations to develop the annual therapy department budget.
5. Maintain all required business licenses and contractual agreements related to therapy services.

Responsibility: Market and promote therapy services.

Tasks:

1. Maintain ongoing liaison with staff, patients, family members, and the broader Bethesda care community.
2. Collaborate with all Bethesda teams to support appropriate therapy referrals and transitions of care.
3. Support outpatient therapy program development and community referral relationships.
4. Participate in community events and health fairs to promote Bethesda’s therapy services as appropriate.

1. Report for and leave the work area on a timely basis.
2. Participate in the annual performance evaluation process.
3. Write yearly personal and departmental goals.
4. Participate in all required in-service programs at Bethesda.
5. Maintain professional conduct and a positive, collaborative attitude toward staff, patients, and visitors.
6. Be willing to learn and adapt to meet the evolving needs of the organization.