Physical Therapist - Empowered Living Clinic

• Work within a referral-based clinic that provides youth with specialized services and resources to help them achieve healthy lifestyle goals
• Focus on whole-child care with individualized support for youth and their families
• Practice within the principles of Lifestyle Medicine, whole-person care and culturally respectful, patient-centered treatment

Team Structure

• Collaborative teams supporting comprehensive patient care that includes:
  • Pediatrician
  • Registered Dietitian
  • Behavioral Health Professional
  • RN Case Manager
  • LPN/Clinic Coordinator
  • Medical Family Therapist
• Mentorship opportunities for professional development

Patient Volume & Diversity

• Manageable caseload: 10-13 patients per day
• Balanced mix of evaluations, recertifications and treatment sessions
• Spectrum of care: pediatrics to adolescents and families

Schedule & Work-Life Balance

• Tuesday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
• NO weekends, nights, or on-call requirements
• All federal holiday observed with clinic closure
• Predictable schedule allowing for optimal work-life balance
• Protected time for documentation and patient care planning

Advanced Technology & Support

• Comprehensive electronic management records (EMR) system - Transitioning to Epic EMR in 2025
• Integrated interdisciplinary team approach with embedded specialists
• Access to pediatric medical specialists, behavioral health professionals and registered dietitians
• Dedicated RN Case Manager and LPN/Clinic Coordinator support
• Medical family therapist collaboration for comprehensive patient care
• Technology Integration:
  • Transitioning to Epic EMR system (end of 2025)
  • Streamlined documentation allowing focus on direct patient care
• Comprehensive Support Network:
  • Administrative support team
  • Professional development resources

Exceptional Benefits Package

• Competitive salary with annual bonus opportunity (non-RVU based incentive program)
• Insurance
  • 100% paid medical, prescription, vision and dental insurance for therapist
  • 95% paid coverage for entire family
  • Life and AD&D Insurance provided at no cost
  • Federal Tort Malpractice coverage at no cost
    
• Generous Paid Time Off
  • Annual leave accrual based on tenure: 10 days (years 1-3), 15 days (years 4-12), 20 days (13+ years)
    
  • 13 annual holidays (includes birthday)
  • Unlimited sick leave accrual
  • Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Catastrophic Leave, Military Leave and Family Medical Leave
• Financial Benefits
  • 401K with 5% employer match
  • $2,000 annual CEU allowance for continuing education
  • Up to $700 reimbursement for professional society membership dues
  • Oklahoma license cost reimbursement
  • Additional Employee Benefits

Qualifications

• Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree required
• Oklahoma state licensure (active or ability to obtain)
• Experience in pediatric physical therapy preferred
• Strong commitment to culturally respectful, patient-centered care
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Passion for working with youth and families in an interdisciplinary setting
• For a detailed list of qualifications and requirements, please review the full job description tab

How to Apply

If you have any questions about this open position or wish to express interest, please complete the form below and upload your CV or resume and cover letter (cover letter is optional). Please enter an email address you check regularly, as this will be our primary method of communication regarding your application and next steps.

This position is with the Department of Health located at the Chickasaw Nation Empowered Living Clinic in the Chickasaw Nation Medical Center (CNMC), or in the Satellite Health Clinic in Ardmore. This clinic provides physical therapy services to First American beneficiaries. This position may require occasional travel (approximately 10–25%) and flexibility in work schedule to accommodate the needs of patients and families, which may include adjusted break times or shortened lunch periods.

Supervision Received: Work is performed under the general supervision of the Executive Officer of Primary Care & Public Health and Pediatric Clinic Director, with immediate supervision by the Pediatric Clinic Manager. Nursing practice supervision provided by Nursing line of support through the Director of Pediatric Nursing. Routine work is performed independently following written procedures, standards and protocols.

Responsibilities

• Provides diagnostic and therapeutic services within the identified competency level and scope of practice.
• Evaluates/examines patients to determine treatment plan, evaluates for effectiveness and adjusts treatment plan for optimal results as the physical therapist of the Empowered Living interdisciplinary care team.
• Completes required clinical and administrative documentation.
• Develops and monitors home exercise programs.
• Designs and executes group therapy classes.
• Develops physical activity strategies directly impacting patients in the Empowered Living Clinic and the community.
• Monitors Empowered Living clinic progress by tracking key process and outcome indicators.
• Develops and sustains collaborative relationships among diverse tribal community partners.
• Implements evidence-based engagement strategies and evaluation activities to increase awareness of and support for policies and practices that enhance health.
• Assesses individual and community needs to deal with health-related weight management needs and increases health awareness of such needs.
• Stays abreast of relevant AI/AN research and outcomes in order to effectively utilize evidence-based approaches in the Empowered Living clinic activities.
• Seeks and pursues additional funding and research opportunities.
• Makes recommendations for the departmental programs regarding budgetary allocations for the needs of equipment and supplies.
• Assists in the planning of and participates in Empowered Living and CNDH events that may occur within or outside regular working hours, either at CNDH facilities or in the community.
• Demonstrates positive attitude and professional manner, as well as appropriate problem solving and communications.
• Maintains cooperative and effective working relationship with Empowered
• Living and other CNDH employees and supervisory staff, with tribal officials and visitors
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of a variety of physical therapy treatment techniques
• Able to work independently with little or no supervision
• Must be able to maintain strict confidence of all information received on the job
• Must be highly motivated with ability of accomplishing objectives through self-direction as needed
• Must be willing to seek and complete additional training in pediatric weight management and public health promotion as available
• Must possess excellent communication and organizational skills with the demonstrated ability to work with all types of people in a variety of settings
• Exceptional customer service skills with a positive can-do attitude
• Commitment to the Chickasaw Nation Core Values

Education:

•  Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy program. 

Experience:

• One year of experience as a PT preferred.
• Pediatric experience preferred in the last 3 years preferred 

Licenses:

• Pass general background check
•  Current/unrestricted Oklahoma PT license
• Certified in Lifestyle Medicine preferred or obtain within 18 months of hire
• Must maintain current BLS certification or obtain within one (1) month of hire, if not current 

Work Environment:

• Work is performed in the hospital and/or the ambulatory care environment 
• Frequently bend, kneel, stoop, push, reach
• Position may require long periods of sitting, standing, reaching, lifting or bending to perform duties.
• Position will require physical agility and stamina while working with children and adolescents.
• Pass pre-employment drug test