The Acute Care Physical Therapist evaluates, plans, and administers physical therapy treatment programs for referred patients in an acute care setting to restore function, relieve pain, and prevent disability across all age groups from pediatrics to geriatrics. Key duties include performing thorough evaluations, establishing goals, implementing progressive treatment programs, administering modalities, fitting devices, performing discharge planning, and documenting all care accurately.
Requirements summary
Candidates must possess a current Physical Therapist license in Pennsylvania or New Jersey and adhere to state practice guidelines, with a Doctorate Degree preferred. Required training includes current CPR certification and maintaining licensure through required continuing education units.
Luke's is proud of the skills, experience and compassion of its employees.
The employees of St.
Luke's are our most valuable asset!
Individually and together, our employees are dedicated to satisfying the mission of our organization which is an unwavering commitment to excellence as we care for the sick and injured; educate physicians, nurses and other health care providers; and improve access to care in the communities we serve, regardless of a patient's ability to pay for health care.
The Acute Care Physical Therapist evaluates plans and administers physical therapy treatment programs for referred patients, acute care setting, to restore function, give pain relief and prevent disability following disease, injury or loss of body part.
Patient responsibilities include care provision for the patients below.
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Performs and documents initial patient evaluations thoroughly and accurately in a timely fashion.
Establishes realistic, attainable short-term and long-term goals with each patient.
Performs therapeutic exercises effectively and appropriately.
Implements, and revises as necessary, effective progressive treatment programs taking evaluative findings into consideration.
Administers therapeutic modalities and programs appropriately and effectively, including hot/cold pack, ultrasound, massage, electrical stimulation, whirlpool and wound care.
Fits assistive, prosthetic and orthotic devices and provides appropriate training.
Performs appropriate discharge planning, instructs patients and family member(s) in home programs.
Documents accurately, in a timely manner, including initial evaluation, progress notes and discharge summaries.
Provides on-premises supervision of Physical Therapist Assistants and aides.
Assists in orienting new staff Physical Therapists.
Demonstrates competency in the assessment, range of treatment and knowledge of growth and development appropriate to the age of the patient treated (neonate, pediatric, adolescent or geriatric).
May supervise PT and PTA students and observers as assigned.
Assists in developing and implementing department programs, may participate with quality improvement committees and initiatives.
Accurately bills patient’s accounts for services rendered.
Accepts responsibility of scheduling patients.
Attends multi-disciplinary meetings.
Other duties as assigned.
PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to sit for up to ninety minutes at a time.
Be able to tolerate standing for thirty to forty-five minutes consecutively.
Must be able to use hands/fingers to manipulate dials on machines.
Must have the ability to lift/move patients up to 300 lbs., push/pull patients weighing up to 300 lbs.
Must have the ability to frequently stoop/bend, squat, crouch, kneel and reach above shoulder level.
Must be capable of tactile sensation as it relates to feeling for muscle spasms, texture and skin temperature.
Must have the ability to hear as it relates to normal conversation and ability to hear call bells.
Must be capable of seeing as it relates to general vision, depth perception, and peripheral vision.
EDUCATION: Current Physical Therapist license in the State of Pennsylvania or New Jersey, based on work location required.
The Physical Therapist shall work within the practice guidelines as defined by Pennsylvania or New Jersey state law (based upon work location).
Doctorate Degree preferred.
TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE: Current CPR certification.
Successful completion of required affiliations and/or CEU’s to maintain licensure.
Please complete your application using your full legal name and current home address.
Be sure to include employment history for the past seven (7) years, including your present employer.
Additionally, you are encouraged to upload a current resume, including all work history, education, and/or certifications and licenses, if applicable.
It is highly recommended that you create a profile at the conclusion of submitting your first application.
Thank you for your interest in St.
Luke's!!
St.
Luke's University Health Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Founded in 1872, St.
Luke’s University Health Network (SLUHN) is a fully integrated, regional, non-profit network of more than 23,000 employees providing services at 16 campuses and 350+ outpatient sites.
With annual net revenue in excess of $4 billion, the Network’s service area includes 11 counties in two states: Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Montgomery, Monroe, Schuylkill and Luzerne counties in Pennsylvania and Warren and Hunterdon counties in New Jersey.
St.
Luke’s hospitals operate the largest network of trauma centers in Pennsylvania, with the Bethlehem Campus being home to St.
Luke’s Children’s Hospital.
SLUHN is the only Lehigh Valley-based health care system to earn Medicare’s five-star ratings (the highest) for quality, efficiency and patient satisfaction.
It is both a Leapfrog Group and Healthgrades Top Hospital and a Newsweek World’s Best Hospital.
The Network’s flagship University Hospital has earned the 100 Top Major Teaching Hospital designation from Premier 13 times total and eleven years in a row, including in 2023 when it was identified as THE #4 TEACHING HOSPITAL IN THE COUNTRY.
In 2021, St.
Luke’s was identified as one of the 15 Top Health Systems nationally.
St.
Luke’s is the ONLY health care institution in the Lehigh Valley to be named a Top Workplace regionally repeating the exclusive honor for the third year in a row.
Also, for the third straight year, St.
Luke’s has been a Top Workplaces in the Philadelphia Region by the Philadelphia Inquirer, ranking 9th in the large employer category for 2025 and the only health care system in PA to receive this award.
In 2025, St.
Luke’s was recognized as a national Top Workplaces by USA Today, three years in a row, including the 3rd best health care system in the nation in 2023 and 2024.
Lastly, in 2025, St.
Luke’s was named a Top Workplace in New Jersey for the third year in a row.
