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Our Values

Respect | Belonging | Accountability | Transparency

Department

Job Summary

The Physical Therapist Assistant I, under general supervision from a licensed Physical Therapist, delivers safe, competent, and evidence-based physical therapy services including implementing treatment plans, monitoring patient response, and supporting discharge activities. This role contributes to improved mobility, pain reduction, increased strength, and correction of functional limitations resulting from injury or disease. The Physical Therapist Assistant I manages assigned patient care activities while developing foundational clinical skills, technical proficiency, clinical judgement, and actively seeks mentorship and feedback to support professional growth and increasing independence. Responsibilities include adhering to established clinical protocols and standards of practice, providing high-quality patient care, and collaborating with the supervising Physical Therapist, interdisciplinary care teams, patients, family members, and caregivers to support effective patient-centered treatment plans.

Essential Functions:

• Patient Care
  Provides safe, evidence-based physical therapy interventions under general supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist, implementing delegated components of the established plan of care. Delivers therapeutic treatments aimed at improving mobility, relieving pain, and addressing functional limitations resulting from injury or disease. Monitors patient response and reports changes in condition to the Physical Therapist, adjusting interventions within established plan of care with occasional guidance from Physical Therapist. Reinforces patient and caregiver understanding of prescribed interventions, including risks, benefits, and basic home activities, and completes accurate, timely documentation of care provided. (70%)
• Documentation
  Complete timely patient care documentation recording the treatment, response, and progress in patient's chart. Update medical records according to departmental and accrediting body standards. Update appropriate databases, problem lists, treatment goals per the patient’s individualized plan of care. Accurately submits patient charges per department guidelines. (15%)
• Care Coordination
  Coordinates care across the continuum in conjunction with Physical Therapist by communicating effectively. Monitors and ensures, in conjunction with the Physical Therapist, all required regulatory, documentation, and payer-related processes—such as treatment authorizations, plan-of-care updates, medical necessity justification, and timely completion of progress reports—are completed in accordance with departmental, state, and federal standards. Communicates relevant clinical information and patient status, to support recommendations to internal and external care partners. Collaborates proactively to resolve barriers to care and support patient readiness for discharge. (10%)
• Education
  Educates patients, family members and caregivers in therapy principles, methods and techniques to achieve intended outcomes. Reviews research and seeks mentorship to expand clinical reasoning. (5%)

Education:

• Associate's Degree Physical Therapy Assistant Program required

Work Experience:

• Less than 1 year required. New grads welcome to apply.

Licenses:

• BLS-Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) - AHA - American Heart Association or American Red Cross required

- And -

• PTA-Physical Therapist Assistant - DORA - Department of Regulatory Agencies required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Education and Training — Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
• Problem solving - the ability to systematically analyze problems, draw relevant conclusions and devise appropriate courses of action.
• Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Knowledge of theory, principles and practice of physical therapy.
• Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Knowledge of safety principles in patient care environment.
• Knowledge of standards, polices and procedures of Denver Health as they pertain to physical therapy.
• Ability to integrate requirements of the facility and/or regulatory agencies into clinical decisions and documentation.

Shift

Work Type

Salary

Benefits

At Denver Health, we take care of the people who take care of our community. Our benefits are built to support your life, your family, and your future — with generous paid time off, fully paid parental leave, exceptional retirement contributions, comprehensive health coverage, and nationally recognized well-being programs. We invest in your growth through tuition assistance, career advancement pathways, and professional development — while also offering meaningful financial advantages through loan forgiveness eligibility and employer contributions. When you join Denver Health, you’re joining a mission-driven organization that invests in you.

Here is a small list of our benefit programs:

• Paid time off starting at 28 days per year, inclusive of vacation, personal/sick, and 7 Holidays
• 100% paid parental leave up to 6 weeks
• Immediate eligibility for retirement plans with employer contribution up to 9.5%
• Generous medical, dental, vision plans in addition to employer paid disability and life insurance.
• Comprehensive well-being programs including on-site employee fitness center located on Denver Health main campus and nationally recognized RESTORE Center
• Free RTD EcoPass (public transportation)
• Childcare discount programs & exclusive perks on large brands, travel, and more
• Tuition reimbursement & assistance
• Education, coaching, and professional development opportunities through the Workforce Development Center (WFDC) that support internal career growth and advancement pathways
• Professional clinical advancement program & shared governance
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer+ free student loan coaching and assistance navigating the PSLF program
• National Health Service Corps (NHCS) and Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC) eligible employer

About Denver Health

Denver Health is an integrated, high-quality academic healthcare system considered a model for the nation that includes a Level I Trauma Center, a 555-bed acute care medical center, Denver’s 911 emergency medical response system, 10 family health centers, 19 school-based health centers, Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety, the Public Health Institute at Denver Health, Denver Health Medical Plan and Denver Health Foundation.

As Colorado’s primary, and essential, safety-net healthcare system, Denver Health is a mission-driven organization that has provided millions in uncompensated care for the uninsured each year.

Located near downtown Denver, Denver Health is just minutes away from many of the cultural and recreational activities Denver has to offer.

Denver Health is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We value the unique ideas, talents and contributions reflective of the needs of our community. All job applicants for safety-sensitive positions must pass a pre-employment drug test, once a conditional offer of employment has been made. Applicants will be considered until the position is filled.