Home Health Physical Therapist

About the Role

Help patients reclaim their independence and mobility in the place they call home. As a Home Health Physical Therapist, you'll provide comprehensive rehabilitation services to patients recovering from surgery, injury, or illness - working one-on-one in their home environments to restore function, relieve pain, and maximize their quality of life.  This role is perfect for a licensed PT who values autonomy, enjoys problem-solving in varied home settings, and finds deep satisfaction in seeing patients progress from dependence to independence. You'll have the time and flexibility to truly know your patients, adapt treatments to their unique environments, and make a lasting impact on their recovery journeys.

What You'll Do

Provide Comprehensive Physical Therapy

• Conduct thorough assessments of functional level, muscle strength, mobility, gait, ROM, and transfer capabilities
• Evaluate home environments and identify barriers to desired outcomes
• Develop and implement individualized treatment plans to restore function and maintain maximum performance
• Use appropriate physical therapy treatments, modalities, and procedures to relieve pain and improve function
• Minimize residual physical disabilities and work toward optimal patient outcomes

Assess and Plan Patient Care

• Perform OASIS assessments at appropriate time points (start of care, reassessments, discharge, significant changes)
• Collaborate with physicians and care teams in developing and revising comprehensive care plans
• Set realistic, measurable goals that address patients' functional needs
• Assess ongoing rehabilitation and equipment needs throughout the episode of care
• Identify when referrals to other disciplines are needed

Educate and Empower Patients

• Teach patients, families, and caregivers techniques to continue therapy between visits
• Instruct on proper use of prosthetic and orthotic devices and durable medical equipment
• Promote disease prevention and injury management strategies
• Work toward eventual patient and caregiver independence as the ultimate goal
• Provide education on fall prevention and home safety modifications

Collaborate with the Care Team

• Coordinate with physicians, nurses, OTs, MSWs, and other healthcare professionals
• Attend and initiate patient care conferences for complex cases
• Communicate patient progress, reactions to treatment, and condition changes promptly
• Supervise physical therapy assistants and aides as appropriate
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and QAPI activities

Maintain Clinical Excellence

• Complete accurate, timely documentation including OASIS assessments within agency timeframes
• Submit start of care paperwork electronically within 24 hours of initial visit
• Monitor and report signs, symptoms, and changes in patient condition
• Stay current with physical therapy trends, best practices, and home health regulations
• Participate in discharge planning to ensure smooth transitions

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Master's or doctoral degree from an accredited Physical Therapy program
• Current state license as a Physical Therapist
• Minimum 1 year of experience as a licensed Physical Therapist
• Reliable transportation with valid automobile insurance
• Willingness to travel daily for home visits within service area

Preferred Qualifications

• Home health experience
• OASIS certification or willingness to obtain
• Experience with Medicare home health documentation

Essential Skills

• Strong clinical assessment and treatment planning abilities
• Knowledge of medical terminology and home health regulations
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Problem-solving and critical thinking capabilities
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Comfort evaluating and adapting to varied home environments
• Interpersonal skills for professional interaction with patients, families, and healthcare teams

What Makes You Successful

You're a skilled physical therapist who thrives on autonomy and variety. You enjoy the challenge of adapting evidence-based treatments to diverse home settings - from well-equipped houses to more challenging environments - always finding creative solutions to help patients progress.

You're an excellent teacher who can break down complex movement patterns and exercises into terms patients and families can understand and replicate. You recognize that your success isn't measured just by what happens during your visits, but by how well patients can continue their progress independently between sessions.

You're comfortable working one-on-one with patients for extended periods, building rapport while maintaining professional boundaries. You understand that home health PT requires flexibility - adapting to schedule changes, varying patient conditions, and the unique dynamics of providing care in someone's personal space.

You're organized and detail-oriented, able to manage your schedule, complete thorough OASIS documentation, and coordinate with multidisciplinary teams while staying focused on what matters most: helping patients regain their independence and function.

Why Join Us?

Home health physical therapy offers unparalleled professional satisfaction. You'll have the time to truly know your patients, the autonomy to design and implement treatment plans, and the privilege of seeing remarkable transformations as patients progress from inability to independence.

We provide comprehensive orientation including OASIS training, ongoing clinical support from experienced managers, and opportunities for professional development. You'll work with a collaborative team that values your clinical expertise and supports your success in the field.

Professional Growth:

• OASIS certification training and support
• Continuing education opportunities
• Clinical mentorship and consultation
• Exposure to diverse patient populations and conditions
• Participation in quality improvement initiatives

Work Environment and Schedule

This position requires daily travel to patient homes and residential facilities within your service area, with occasional office meetings. You'll work independently during home visits while staying connected to your care team through regular communication and care conferences.

Schedule flexibility is important as you'll adapt to patient needs, new admissions, and changing conditions. Most visits occur during standard business hours, though some flexibility for patient availability may be needed. Physical demands include standing, bending, demonstrating exercises, and assisting with patient mobility.

Ready to Transform Lives at Home?

If you're a licensed physical therapist who wants the autonomy of home health practice and the satisfaction of helping patients achieve meaningful functional gains in their own environments, we'd love to hear from you.

Location 

• Office Location:  801 Rosehill Road, Jackson, MI 49202
• Main Service Area: Manchester/Chelsea 

Hours 

• 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday 

Background Screening

Optimal Care conducts a background screening upon acceptance of a contingent job offer. Background screening is completed by a third-party administrator, the Michigan Long-Term Care Partnership, and is performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act.

Reasonable Accommodations

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Optimal Care is an equal-opportunity employer.