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

Physical Therapist - Acute Care Hospital (Travel/Contract)

Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Specialty: Therapy/Rehabilitation
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Description

• Work primarily in the Burn Unit treating patients with 0-100% Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) burns.
• Must work every Saturday and Sunday in the Burn Unit, plus 2 additional shifts Monday through Friday.
• Ability to float to inpatient units is required.
• Patient care includes managing physical therapy needs complicated by pain, surgical dressings, and mobility limitations.
• Focus on mobility, positioning, and prevention of contractures and scarring.
• Caseload ranges from 2 to 8 patients per day, with higher census during cooler months.
• Opportunity to assist with outpatient physical therapy evaluations and treatments if time permits.
• Scrubs provided.
• Facility accepts either Physical Therapists (PT) or Occupational Therapists (OT) for this role.

Required Qualifications

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

Shift Details

• Day shift, 4 days per week, 10-hour shifts (8:00 AM – 6:30 PM).
• Total 40 hours per week.

Compliance and Documentation Requirements

• Government-issued photo ID matching all documentation.
• Background check within 6 months covering all locations lived/worked/schooled in the past 7 years.
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks required within 30 days of start.
• Drug screen within 30 days of start (10-panel or expanded panel depending on hire date).
• Immunizations and health screenings required:

  • Tdap vaccine within 10 years (declinations accepted with proper documentation).
  • Negative TB test or chest X-ray per current guidelines.
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) - 2 vaccines or positive titer; boosters required if titer low.
  • Varicella - 2 vaccines or positive titer; boosters required if titer low.
  • Hepatitis B series, titer, or declination.
  • Seasonal flu vaccination required during flu season (Oct 1 – Mar 31), with exemptions and declinations accepted.
• Physical exam within 12 months of start (not required by facility but required by placement agency).
• Annual competency exams and medication/pharmacology competency testing required.

Certifications

• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required (AHA).
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) may be required depending on unit assignment—verify with recruiter.
• Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) Blue Card accepted; may be completed onsite within 30 days of start if not already certified.

Additional Notes

• Employment application must include 7 years of work history with no gaps over 30 days.
• Must be able to pass all required background and competency checks prior to start.

This position offers a challenging and rewarding opportunity to work with burn patients in an acute care setting, with a consistent weekend schedule and flexibility during the week.