Physical Therapist – Acute Care Orthopedics

Physical Therapist - Acute Care Orthopedics

Location: Naples, Florida

Employment Type: Full-Time

Compensation: $42.10-$55.57/hour (based on years of experience)

Position Overview

A leading orthopedic specialty healthcare organization is seeking an Acute Care Orthopedic Physical Therapist to join its growing multidisciplinary rehabilitation team in Naples, Florida.

This is not a traditional acute care physical therapy position. The therapist will work in a highly integrated orthopedic environment alongside orthopedic surgeons, nursing, anesthesia, rehabilitation professionals, and other healthcare providers throughout the patient's surgical journey. The role offers a unique blend of inpatient care, perioperative rehabilitation, patient education, discharge planning, and virtual post-operative follow-up.

This opportunity is ideal for physical therapists who are passionate about orthopedics and enjoy working in a collaborative, evidence-based practice focused exclusively on musculoskeletal care.

What Makes This Position Unique

Unlike a traditional hospital acute care role, this position offers a diverse mix of responsibilities, including:

• Treating same-day orthopedic surgery patients in the Pre-Op and PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit).
• Providing rehabilitation for orthopedic patients admitted overnight following surgery.
• Conducting 45-minute one-on-one pre-operative education sessions to prepare patients for surgery, recovery, and discharge planning.
• Delivering virtual post-operative rehabilitation visits through an innovative home-based telehealth program before patients transition to outpatient therapy.
• Working closely with orthopedic surgeons, nurses, anesthesia providers, and the multidisciplinary care team to optimize patient outcomes.
• Practicing in a dynamic orthopedic environment rather than a traditional general medicine acute care setting.
  
  

Key Responsibilities

• Evaluate patients referred for physical therapy and develop individualized treatment plans.
• Establish functional goals and implement evidence-based rehabilitation programs.
• Treat post-operative orthopedic patients in acute care and ambulatory surgery settings.
• Assist patients with mobility, gait training, transfers, balance, and functional recovery following surgery.
• Provide pre-operative patient education and discharge planning.
• Conduct virtual rehabilitation follow-up appointments for patients recovering at home.
• Educate patients and families on rehabilitation protocols, precautions, home safety, and recovery expectations.
• Collaborate with physicians and interdisciplinary healthcare professionals to coordinate patient care.
• Maintain accurate documentation in accordance with organizational and regulatory standards.
• Participate in occasional Saturday rotation as needed (typically limited hours).
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Master's or Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy from an accredited program.
• Current Florida Physical Therapist license or eligibility for licensure.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Heart Association or American Red Cross.
• Strong knowledge of orthopedic rehabilitation and post-operative patient care.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and critical-thinking skills.
• Ability to thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced clinical environment.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Three or more years of acute care and post-operative orthopedic rehabilitation experience.
• Experience treating adult orthopedic surgical patients, including total joint replacements and musculoskeletal conditions.
• Experience in acute care hospitals, orthopedic specialty hospitals, or ambulatory surgery settings.
• Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) certification preferred.
• Sports medicine rehabilitation experience is a plus.
  
  

Schedule

• Full-Time
• Occasional Saturday rotation (typically less than four hours when scheduled).
• Combination of inpatient treatment, perioperative rehabilitation, patient education, discharge planning, and telehealth follow-up responsibilities.
  
  

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Work exclusively with orthopedic and musculoskeletal patients.
• Collaborate directly with orthopedic surgeons and specialty providers.
• Diverse responsibilities that extend beyond traditional inpatient physical therapy.
• Opportunity to participate in innovative perioperative and virtual rehabilitation programs.
• Strong interdisciplinary culture built on teamwork, communication, and evidence-based care.
• Competitive compensation and excellent long-term career growth opportunities.