Acute Care Physical Therapist
Saint Louis, Missouri
Barnes-Jewish Hospital

Job Opportunity: Physical Therapist (Travel/Contract)

Location: Saint Louis, Missouri
Specialty: Therapy/Rehabilitation (Physical Therapy)
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Description

• Provide physical therapy services across various patient care areas including medicine, surgery, orthopedics, neurology, cardiopulmonary, and oncology.
• Primary role involves inpatient patient care.
• Responsibilities include assessments, documentation, patient/family education, and safety & injury prevention.
• Floating within therapy service lines may be required to meet facility needs.
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM (start time flexible up to 8:00 AM).
• Weekend Requirement: Must work one weekend (Saturday and Sunday) during every 4-week period, with a compensatory day off during that week.
• On-call: Not required.
• Locals: Not accepted (local radius rule is 75 miles).
• Pending State License: Accepted.
• Return to Office (RTO) Restrictions: No more than 7 days off within the 13-week contract.
• Guaranteed Hours: Yes, minimum 3 shifts per 13 weeks.

Required Qualifications

• Experience: Minimum 1 year of experience in physical therapy (acute care experience preferred).
• Certifications:

  • Basic Life Support (BLS)
  • State Physical Therapy License (pending licenses accepted)
• Strong communication skills and desire to work with a variety of patient populations.
• Acute care experience is required.
• First-time travelers accepted.
• Prior travel experience: Not explicitly required.

Facility Information

• Type: Short Term Acute Care Hospital
• Beds: 1259 staffed beds
• Teaching hospital and Level Trauma center
• Charting system: EPIC
• Scrub color: Black or Gray

Compliance & Documentation Requirements

• Government-issued ID required (e.g., Driver’s License or State ID).
• Criminal background check within 6 months of start, including statewide and nationwide searches.
• Quarterly EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks.
• Education verification of highest related degree required before start.
• Professional license primary source verification required (Missouri licenses verifiable on NURSYS).
• Various state-specific background checks and registries as applicable.
• Physical exam within 1 year of start (not required annually).
• Drug testing within 1 year of start, must include a comprehensive panel and remain valid throughout assignment.
• Immunizations and health documents required:

  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (every 10 years)
  • Negative TB test or chest X-ray (2 negative PPDs or equivalent within 1 year)
  • Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella, Varicella immunity or vaccination/declination as applicable
  • Seasonal flu vaccination or approved exemption during flu season (09/30 - 04/01)
• Fit mask testing (N95) required and must be renewed annually.
• Various facility-specific compliance documents including HIPAA acknowledgement, latex allergy questionnaire, confidentiality form, hand hygiene, fingernail, and dress code policies.
• Orientation modules required for RNs and LVNs (not required for allied health professionals).

Additional Requirements

• Skills checklist specific to unit required within 1 year of start. Oncology skills checklist required if assigned to oncology units.
• Competency exams as applicable, including medication/pharmacology and unit-specific competency exams.
• References: Two professional references required, preferably supervisors within the last year.
• No floating to sister facilities.

Summary

This is a 13-week travel Physical Therapist contract in Saint Louis, Missouri, requiring at least 1 year of PT experience with acute care skills. The role involves inpatient care across multiple specialties with a Monday-Friday schedule plus one weekend every 4 weeks. Certifications include BLS and a state PT license (pending accepted). The facility is a large, teaching, short-term acute care hospital using EPIC for charting. Compliance with extensive background checks, immunizations, and facility-specific policies is mandatory. First-time travelers are welcome; prior travel experience is not required.