Physical Therapist - Acute Care Burn Unit
New Orleans, Louisiana
University Medical Center New Orleans

Physical Therapist - Acute Care Hospital (Burn Unit)

Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Overview

• Provide physical therapy services in a Burn Unit, treating patients with 0-100% Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) burns.
• Manage patients with pain, surgical dressings, and mobility limitations.
• Focus on mobility, positioning, and prevention of contractures and scarring.
• Patient load ranges from 2 to 8 per day, with higher census during cooler months.
• Opportunity to assist with outpatient PT evaluations and therapy if time allows.
• Must be able to float to other patient care areas as needed.
• Work schedule requires every Saturday and Sunday plus one additional weekday shift.

Required Qualifications

• Valid Physical Therapist license in Louisiana.
• Minimum 1 year of Physical Therapist experience, with experience within the last year.
• Experience in an inpatient setting.
• Experience with EPIC electronic medical record system.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.

Shift Details

• Day shift, 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each (8:00 AM – 8:30 PM).
• Total 36 hours per week.

Certifications & Compliance

• Current, valid state license for Physical Therapy.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) may be required depending on unit specifics—verify if applicable.
• Must complete facility-required competencies and exams annually, including medication/pharmacology competency.

Background & Documentation Requirements

• Government-issued photo ID matching all documentation.
• Background check within 6 months covering all locations lived/worked/schooled in past 7 years.
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks required within 30 days of start.
• Drug screening within 30 days of start (10-panel or expanded panel depending on hire date).
• Employment application with 7 years of work history, no gaps over 30 days.

Health & Immunization Requirements

• Negative TB test or chest X-ray per facility protocol.
• Annual TB questionnaire.
• Up-to-date vaccinations or titers for:

  • Measles (Rubeola)
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Varicella
  • Hepatitis B (series, titer, or declination)
  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (within 10 years)
• Seasonal flu vaccination or approved exemption/declination required during flu season (Oct 1 – Mar 31).

Additional Information

• Scrubs provided by the facility.
• Must adhere to employee appearance policy.
• CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) certification may be required depending on unit assignment; can be completed onsite if not already certified.

This position offers a challenging and rewarding opportunity to work with burn patients in an acute care setting, supporting their rehabilitation and recovery through specialized physical therapy interventions.