Outpatient Physical Therapist-Full-time Days

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare • Sycamore, IL

2d • $45 - $61

About The Position

The Physical Therapist reflects Northwestern Medicine’s mission, vision, and values and complies with its Code of Ethics, Corporate Compliance Program, policies, procedures, and applicable regulatory and accreditation standards. The role provides direct patient care, teaching, participation in appropriate committees, and departmental process improvement. The therapist serves as a role model for therapists and clinical interns in professional, clinical, communication, education, and leadership activities.

The position manages patients throughout the physical therapy course of care, from initial contact through discharge, with responsibility for functional progress, safety, and treatment outcomes. It includes collaborating with treating physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, conducting evaluations and re-evaluations, selecting appropriate treatment methods and equipment, and documenting care in the electronic medical record. The therapist also contributes to patient and staff education, service improvement, department activities, and professional relationships across healthcare teams.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy.
• Licensed Physical Therapist in the State of Illinois.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association upon hire.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s or doctoral degree in Physical Therapy.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate Northwestern Medicine’s values of teamwork, patients first, integrity, and excellence.
• Maintain a friendly, approachable, and professional demeanor and provide patients and customers with accurate information and timely updates.
• Address questions and concerns promptly, direct people to appropriate resources, and help patients and customers find their way.
• Use service recovery skills to resolve problems or service breakdowns.
• Maintain primary responsibility for patient plans of care through timely, consistent collaboration with treating physical therapists and physical therapist assistants.
• Manage each patient’s physical therapy care from initial contact through discharge, including functional progress, safety, and treatment outcomes.
• Select appropriate evaluations, treatment modalities, equipment, and protocols; conduct re-evaluations and adjust treatment plans according to department guidelines.
• Follow department requirements for evaluations, progress notes, and discharge summaries, documenting all notes in the electronic medical record.
• Complete daily notes that describe the patient’s response and performance, assess status in relation to the treatment plan and discharge needs, and meet documentation requirements.
• Provide educational materials and methods suited to each patient’s understanding and motivation.
• Help coworkers within and across departments, communicate effectively, respect diverse opinions and styles, and acknowledge others’ contributions.
• Use organizational and departmental resources efficiently and complete work and assignments on time.
• Contribute to continuous improvement, cost reduction, streamlined processes, and service development.
• Adapt treatment creatively to special circumstances.
• Participate in committees, department processes, and special projects consistent with clinical expertise and the individual performance plan.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with healthcare team members, including physicians, nurses, and case managers, and participate in internal and external marketing as expected.
• Promote respectful communication through listening, soliciting input, open conversation, approachability, and timely recognition of contributions.
• Accept constructive feedback and make timely changes.
• Complete non-patient-care responsibilities within established timelines, including coverage notes and schedule-change requests.
• Contribute to department and clinic education, such as in-services, journal clubs, new-hire orientation, and process improvement.
• Participate in student clinical or observation programs as a clinical instructor, mentor, or observation host.
• Maintain productivity standards and flex schedule or assignment to meet patient-care needs and attend staff or department meetings outside normal work hours.

Benefits

• Competitive benefits intended to support employees’ physical, emotional, and financial well-being and provide protection for unexpected life events.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Loan forgiveness.
• 401(k) matching.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level