Physical Therapy Director

POSITION SUMMARY

The Physical Therapy Director provides strategic, clinical, and operational leadership for the Laguna Healthcare Corporations’ physical/occupational therapy and rehabilitation services. The director oversees patient care delivery, staff supervision, program development, regulatory compliance, quality improvement, budgeting and coordination with medical, behavioral health, community health and other interdisciplinary services. The director ensures that rehabilitation services are patient-centered, evidence-based, culturally respectful and aligned with the mission of Laguna Healthcare Corporation. The director provides services within the scope of licensure of the State of New Mexico and in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the American Physical Therapy Association.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Direct, plan, organize, and evaluate daily operations and patient scheduling of the Physical Therapy department, including outpatient treatment, rehabilitation programming, scheduling, documentation, and patient flow. Services include evaluation, treatment and prevention of acute and chronic movement/dysfunction, soft tissue conditions, strengthening and wound care.
2. Provide clinical leadership and direct patient care within the scope of a licensed physical therapist, including evaluations, treatment planning, interventions, discharge planning, wound care and patient education. Perform therapeutic interventions including manual therapy and modalities (e.g., electrical stimulation, ultrasound, thermal therapies. Provide instructions for home exercise programs and caregiver support.
3. Supervise, coach, and evaluate physical/occupational therapists, physical/occupational therapy technicians rehabilitation aides, students, and other assigned staff.
4. Develop and implement departmental policies, procedures, workflows, productivity expectations, and clinical protocols consistent with applicable federal, state, Tribal, payer, and accreditation requirements.
5. Collaborate with medical providers, behavioral health, pharmacy, community health representatives, Purchased/Referred Care, case management, and other departments to coordinate integrated patient care.
6. Ensure services are delivered in a culturally responsive manner that respects Tribal sovereignty, community values, traditional healing perspectives, language needs, and patient preferences.
7. Monitor clinical quality, patient outcomes, patient satisfaction, performance metrics, access to care, referral management, and continuity of care.
8. Maintain compliance with New Mexico physical therapy licensure requirements, documentation standards, HIPAA, infection control, employee health and safety requirements, and applicable IHS or Tribal 638 program expectations.
9. Participate in budget planning, supply and equipment management, staffing projections, grant or program reporting, and departmental performance analysis.
10. Support revenue cycle processes by ensuring timely, accurate clinical documentation, coding support, prior authorization coordination, and payer compliance for physical therapy services.
11. Lead performance improvement initiatives, staff training, peer review, competency validation, and evidence-based practice updates.
12. Supervise personnel to include work allocation, training, promotion, enforcement of internal procedures and controls and problem resolution/corrective action. Motivate employees to achieve peak productivity and performance. 
13. Represent the department in leadership meetings, community outreach activities, emergency preparedness planning, and interdepartmental committees.
14. Educate patients, families and staff on physical therapy and rehabilitation practices. Support community education through workshops, classes and publications.
15. Perform other related duties as assigned to support the clinic’s mission and patient care priorities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EXPERIENCE:

Five (5) years of progressively responsible clinical physical therapy experience, preferable in outpatient, rural health, tribal/community health or integrated medical clinic settings. Two (2) years of supervisory, lead therapist, clinic director, rehabilitation manager or comparable leadership experience

EDUCATION

Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy from an accredited institution. Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from an accredited physical therapy program preferred.

LICENSE/CERTIFICATIONS

Current unrestricted Physical Therapist license in the State of New Mexico. Current BLS    certification 

Mandatory Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Qualifications:

 To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each responsibility satisfactorily. These requirements are representative, but not all-inclusive, of the knowledge, skill, and ability required for this position.

1. Knowledge of physical therapy evaluation, treatment planning, therapeutic exercise,  functional  mobility, rehabilitation documentation, care coordination, and patient education. Ability to meet credentialing, privileging, background check, immunization and employment requirements
2. Strong leadership, communication, mentoring, conflict resolution and team building skills.
3. Sound clinical judgment, ethical decision-making, and commitment to patient safety and quality care.
4.  Ability to work respectfully with Tribal leadership, patients, families, elders, community members and interdisciplinary healthcare teams.
5. Knowledge of regulatory compliance, documentation standards, privacy requirements, infection prevention, and workplace safety.
6. Ability to analyze data, identify service gaps, improve workflows, and implement measurable performance improvements.
7. Proficiency with Electronic Health Records, Microsoft applications, scheduling systems and clinician documentation platforms.
8. Experience with quality improvement, accreditation readiness, grants, payer compliance, billing workflows and productivity monitoring.
9. Knowledge of health disparities, access barriers and culturally responsive care considerations for Tribal communities in New Mexico.
10. Specialty certification or advanced training in orthopedics, neurology, geriatrics, pediatrics, sports medicine, vestibular rehabilitation, wound care, chronic pain or other relevant practice areas is desired.
11. Experience building or expanding rehabilitation programs, community wellness initiatives, fall prevention, diabetes-related mobility programs, post-surgical rehabilitation or chronic disease management supports.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the primary functions of this job. Normal office conditions exist, and the noise level in the work environment can vary from low to moderate. Limited overnight travel may be required from time to time. This position may be exposed to certain health risks that are inherent when working within a health center facility, such as potential exposure to hazardous chemicals, sharps and infectious body fluids. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to frequently stand, walk, sit, bend, twist, talk, hear and perform repetitive motions. There may be prolonged periods of sitting, keyboarding, reading, as well as driving or riding in transport vehicles. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. This position may require assisting or supporting patients during transfers and mobility activities, as well as frequently pushing and pulling treatment equipment, wheelchairs, exercise equipment and other clinical items. Ability to safely assist, stabilize, transfer, reposition and guard patients with varying levels of mobility and physical ability, using appropriate body mechanics and assistive equipment when necessary. Frequently use hands and fingers to perform manual therapy techniques, therapeutic procedures, measurements, documentation and equipment adjustments. Frequently reach with hands and arms at various heights to position patients, operate equipment and perform therapeutic interventions. Specific vision abilities required by this job include reading, distance, computer, and color vision. Talking and hearing are essential to communicate with patients, vendors and staff. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Operation of a motor vehicle required to travel between LHC facilities and perform other assigned off-site tasks. 

There are a number of deadlines associated with this position. The employee must be able to handle frequent interruptions and must also multi-task and interact with a wide variety of people on various and, at times, complicated issues.

TRIBAL PREFERENCE

LHC will apply “Indian Preference” as an employment criterion and not a “racial classification.” The Laguna Healthcare Corporation has implemented a Tribal Preference in Employment Policy. Pursuant to this Policy, applicants who possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required by this position, and who are enrolled members of the Pueblo of Laguna, will be given primary preference in hiring and employment for this position. Members of other Federally recognized Indian Tribes will be given secondary preference for hiring and employment after providing proof of Tribal membership.

OTHER

Confidentiality: All employees must uphold all principles of confidentiality to the fullest extent. This position will have access to sensitive information, and a breach of these principles will be grounds for immediate termination.

Background Investigation: This position may be subject to a criminal history background check, a suitability background check, and/or a credit report check. In addition, some positions are subject to a more extensive background check to ensure compliance with Public Law 101-630 Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act. Candidates must be able to successfully pass all required background checks to qualify for this position.

Drug Screening: All applicants must successfully pass a pre-employment drug screening prior to beginning employment and will be subject to random drug testing.

Disclaimer: The information on this position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performance by employees in this position. It is not designed to contain, or be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this position. Employees will be asked to perform other duties as needed.