Cardiopulmonary Inpatient

Location: Columbia University Irving Medical Center

177 Fort Washington, New York, NY 10032
Shift: Day Flex

Step into the dynamic, high-acuity environment of NewYork Presbyterian’s Cardiopulmonary Inpatient service at Columbia Presbyterian Irving Medical Center, where clinical expertise directly impacts patient recovery and functional outcomes. The Rehabilitation Medicine Department is one of the largest and most respected programs in the nation. We are seeking an experienced Physical Therapist to serve as a clinical leader within our Cardiopulmonary Inpatient area.

This role is designed for a clinician with advanced clinical reasoning and significant experience managing medically complex, critically ill patients. The Cardiopulmonary Advanced Clinician will play a key role in leading care for patients with conditions such as heart and lung transplantation, respiratory failure, ventilator weaning, post-cardiac surgery, interventional cardiology cases, and ventricular assist devices (VADs).
 

Role Overview

As an Advanced Clinician in the Cardiopulmonary Inpatient service, you will function as a clinical expert, mentor, and resource for staff across high‑acuity units. You will support the management of highly complex, often fragile patients who require careful but progressive mobilization within safe clinical parameters.

You will play a central role in developing staff competence: educating new hires, assessing clinical competency and safety of current staff, and supporting therapists in achieving advanced clinical proficiency in cardiopulmonary care.

This role requires strong collaboration with an established interdisciplinary team and the ability to further strengthen these relationships while educating providers on the role and value of Physical Therapy in this patient population.

You will work closely with the area Supervisor, Assistant Supervisor, and other Advanced Clinicians within the service.

What You’ll Do

• Provide advanced evaluation and treatment for complex cardiopulmonary patients, including those with transplants, respiratory failure, and cardiac conditions.

• Lead safe, progressive, and at times aggressive mobilization of critically ill and medically fragile patients, including ventilated patients and those requiring oxygen titration.

• Serve as a clinical expert and real time resource for staff managing high risk patients.

• Educate and mentor new staff, including onboarding and transition-to-practice support.

• Assess staff competency and provide mentoring to ensure safe, high quality care delivery.

• Collaborate closely with physicians, advanced practice providers, nursing, respiratory therapy, and case management.

• Continue to strengthen and expand interdisciplinary relationships while promoting understanding of PT scope and impact.

• Support development of cardiopulmonary competencies, training pathways, and best practice standards.

• Participate in program development, quality initiatives, and evidence-based practice implementation.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy (Master’s or Doctorate preferred).

• New York State Physical Therapy license.

• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification.

• Minimum 5 years of clinical Physical Therapy experience.

• Strong inpatient acute care experience with cardiopulmonary patient populations.

• Completion of 20 CEUs in Physical Therapy with

• - Minimum 10 CEUs within the last 3 years and

• - Minimum 10 CEUs focused on Cardiopulmonary inpatient care.

• Minimum 5 hours of teaching experience.

• Supervision of at least two Physical Therapy students.

• Participation in a scholarly, performance improvement, or departmental initiative.

Preferred Qualifications:

• ICU and critical care experience strongly preferred.

• Advanced clinical reasoning and differential diagnosis skills.

• Experience managing high-acuity cardiopulmonary patients (ventilators, VADs, transplant populations).

• Excellent communication, teaching, and mentorship abilities.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, complex clinical environment.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively within interdisciplinary teams.