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Physical Therapist - Inpatient (full-time)

Sauk Prairie Healthcare · Prairie du Sac, WI · Full time

Posted Sep 8, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you changed a treatment plan because the test results told you the first plan was not working.

What they are checking: Willingness to revise their own plan based on data, which is what keeps care matched to how the patient is actually doing.

Tell me about a time you disagreed with a nurse or physician about a patient's mobility or discharge plan.

What they are checking: Advocating for the patient with clear reasoning while keeping a working relationship with the rest of the care team.

What would you do

Your patient's pain rating jumps and their blood pressure drops when you sit them up. What do you do?

What they are checking: Recognizing orthostatic or other red flags and stopping to protect the patient instead of pushing to finish the session.

You have more patients on your list than you can see well today. How do you prioritize?

What they are checking: Clinical triage that puts discharges, new evals and fall risks first while being honest with the team about who will wait.

How do you keep your documentation timely and defensible when your day is packed with patients?

What they are checking: Discipline about notes that support billing, handoffs and continuity, not just the hands-on part of the job.

About the work

Walk me through your first visit with a patient admitted after a hip fracture who is post-op day one.

What they are checking: Whether they run a safe, ordered inpatient evaluation covering cognition, vitals, precautions and function before asking a fragile patient to move.

How do you decide whether a patient is safe to go home or needs a skilled nursing or rehab stay?

What they are checking: Discharge judgment, since a PT's recommendation shapes where the patient goes next and whether they come back through the ER.

Which objective tests and measures do you lean on to set goals and show progress for an older adult with balance problems?

What they are checking: Whether their goals rest on measurable tools like gait speed or Berg scores rather than impressions that no one else can check.

How do you adjust your assessment when the patient has dementia or is confused after surgery?

What they are checking: Age-specific and cognitive adaptation, because inpatient caseloads include many patients who cannot reliably follow instructions or report pain.

How would you use aquatic exercise for an inpatient, and who would you not put in the pool?

What they are checking: Knowing both the benefits and contraindications of aquatic therapy rather than treating it as a generic option.

How do you teach a family member to help with transfers safely before the patient goes home?

What they are checking: Caregiver training skill, since a safe discharge often depends on someone at home who has never done a transfer.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Sauk Prairie Healthcare.

Looking to be part of a team that provides extraordinary healthcare from the heart? You Belong Here. POSITION SPECIFICS Title: Physical Therapist - Inpatient FTE: 1.0 (40 hours/week) Schedule: Monday - Thursday 7:30a - 5:00p; Friday 7:30a - 11:30a Holiday Rotation: One per year Weekend Rotation: 5 weekends per year at hospital campus On Call Requirements: None POSITION SUMMARY The physical therapist provides direct patient care with physical therapy treatments to restore patients to optimal mobility and function, strength, balance, coordination and range of motion, and to decrease pain. POSITION TECHNICAL RESPONSIBILITIES • Perform age-specific assessments of patient needs including evaluation of cognitive, sensory, neuromuscular, functional and physiological status. • Assess, plan, implement and revise as necessary, patient goals using objective tests and measurements, pain ratings and other professionally acceptable guidelines. • Uses test results for initiating or modifying treatment plans to meet the needs, abilities and goals of the patient. • Guides the patient in a program to restore patient's optimal mobility, independence and functional ability within patient's capabilities. Utilizes such procedures as carefully designed therapeutic exercise programs, muscle re-education, strengthening, balance, coordination, aquatic exercises, cardiovascular conditioning, manual therapy and education. • Uses knowledge of contraindications, indications and application of physical agents including, but not limited to, heat, cold, water, electrical, mechanical and such procedures as therapeutic, functional, progressive resistance, and manual therapy. • Provide patients with fitting and training in the use of adaptive equipment and adaptive techniques. • Provide written and verbal communication regarding patients' progress and response to treatment for referring physician, insurance carrier and necessary billing/coding personnel. • Instruct and educate members of patient's family or other caregivers to facilitate home programs, treatment objectives, safety precautions and risk factors. • Maintain required medical records and progress reports in accordance with SPH policy, department and HFAP/JC requirements. • Assist with effective inpatient discharge planning with communication at PCC meetings encourage exchange of information and promote role of rehabilitation. • Participate with the coordination, implementation, and supervision of students on clinical rotations. • Maintain safe operation of all equipment and inform manager regarding needed repairs. • Demonstrate knowledge and safe/proper techniques of infection control, safety, hazard and emergent procedures established by SPH. • Attend all mandatory Hospital in-services and maintain BLS certification. • Attend appropriate continuing education programs to continually improve the quality of skills delivered, and to maintain or advance individual competency. • Participate, plan, develop and implement department strategic initiatives. • Provide departmental in-service education as requested. POSITION REQUIREMENTS Education: • Required: Bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from a fully accredited Physical Therapy Program • Preferred: Doctoral or master’s degree in physical therapy from a fully accredited Physical Therapy Program. Experience: • Required: None • Preferred: Six months to one year experience Licenses and Registrations: • Required: State of Wisconsin Physical Therapy License • Preferred: None Certification(s): • Required: Valid BLS certification required within 3 months of hire • Preferred: None BENEFIT SUMMARY • Competitive health and dental insurance options • Flexible paid time off to balance work and life • Retirement plan with immediate vesting and employer match • Discounted membership to our state-of-the-art fitness facility • Generous tuition reimbursement • Employer provided life and disability insurance • Free parking at facility #IND100

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