Physical Therapist - Inpatient Acquired Brain injury
No salary listed
Mid
Bachelor's
Atlanta, GA, USA
In Person
Medical, Clinical & VeterinaryRehabilitation Therapies
About the job
Requirements
- A degree from an accredited program in physical therapy is required.
- Basic life support certification is required.
- A license to practice in Georgia is required.
- Basic computer skills are required.
- Working knowledge of treatment and therapeutic patient care devices used by physical therapy staff is required.
- Knowledge of growth and development, and the ability to obtain, interpret, and disseminate information based on the age-specific needs of adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients, is required.
- Ability to plan and organize work assignments, prioritize patient needs, and demonstrate time management, organization, and critical thinking is required.
- Ability to take responsibility for professional growth and seek opportunities to improve skills is required.
- Effective, timely verbal, non-verbal, and written communication is required.
- Ability to adapt to changing work demands and the work environment is required.
- Ability to make sound judgments to monitor and respond to patient needs or changes in condition is required.
- Successful completion of orientation and the initial competency assessment by the assigned due date is required.
- Completion of mandatory education and annual competency assessments by the assigned due date is required.
- Ability to transfer and position patients, including lifting up to 50 pounds, is required.
- Ability to perform repetitive lifting, moving, squatting, kneeling, and crawling is required.
Responsibilities
- Evaluate patients’ physical and functional status, including muscular strength, motor functions, reflexes, ambulation skills, and ability to perform activities of daily living.
- Observe and interview patients, review medical histories, and administer sensory tests, muscle tests, range-of-motion exams, and other evaluation techniques.
- Develop, implement, periodically reassess, and adapt treatment programs to further patients’ functional skills.
- Plan and deliver patient and family training to ensure proper patient care.
- Utilize and order in-house trial equipment according to need and fit equipment correctly to patients.
- Schedule patients for specialty clinics and programs where appropriate.
- Determine and order or recommend appropriate durable medical equipment in consultation with patients, caregivers, payer sources, and team members.
- Discuss evaluations, goals, and treatment with patients and families, and instruct them on exercise programs and equipment use.
- Use evaluation findings to determine appropriate discharge-planning needs.
- Participate in intra-departmental staff meetings and discipline or program committee assignments.
- Participate in education programs by teaching and supervising students, as needed.
- Participate in research projects as needed.
- Prepare and maintain records of observations and care, documenting clearly, completely, accurately, and on time using the required forms and systems.
- Follow Shepherd Center standards, clinical policies, and procedures.
- Use proper safety techniques and report employee, patient, or visitor injuries or accidents and other safety issues to a supervisor and through the occurrence notification system.
- Participate in center-wide efforts affecting physical therapy practice.
- Establish relationships with other physical therapists.
- Supervise and educate therapy support personnel during and outside of physical therapy treatment sessions, as needed.
- Float to inpatient or post-acute programs to provide patient evaluations or treatment sessions as needed.
- Monitor and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, organizational standards, and policies and procedures related to the area of responsibility; identify potential risks and support their resolution.
- Perform other duties as required, requested, or assigned.
Desired Qualifications
- Two years of recent clinical experience is preferred.
- Previous experience with patients with spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, stroke, concussion, and vestibular disorders is preferred.
About the company
Shepherd Center is a private, not-for-profit hospital in Atlanta that provides medical treatment, rehabilitation, and research for spinal cord injury, brain injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, spine and chronic pain, and other neuromuscular conditions. It operates a 152-bed facility offering integrated care across acute treatment, inpatient rehabilitation, specialized outpatient programs, and post-acute follow-up. The center has a Level 1 Rehabilitation designation and reports patient outcomes above national averages, reflecting its focus on a high-volume, specialized rehab program within a not-for-profit model. Its goal is to improve function and quality of life for people with neuromuscular injuries and conditions through coordinated, evidence-based care and ongoing rehabilitation research.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
Grant
Total Funding
$50M
Headquarters
Atlanta, Georgia
Founded
1975
Get referred to Shepherd Center
See people who can refer or advise you
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Shepherd Center opened a new brain injury unit on August 24, 2026.
- Ekso Bionics partnership, updated March 10, 2026, expands exoskeleton research and training.
- GVRA brain-injury vocational projects run through 2027, strengthening post-discharge employment outcomes.
What critics are saying
- UnitedHealthcare denials in 2026 show insurers pressure long-stay rehabilitation utilization.
- The 2025-2026 expansion demands flawless execution; delays strain capacity and fundraising.
- Craig Hospital and other elite rehab centers compete for referrals, clinicians, and research grants.
What makes Shepherd Center unique
- Shepherd Center ranked No. 9 in U.S. News 2026-2027 rehabilitation.
- Its 2026 brain injury unit deepens specialization in complex neurorehabilitation.
- Shepherd Center combines inpatient care, family housing, and research partnerships with Georgia Tech.
Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?
Benefits
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Paid Vacation