Outpatient Physical Therapist-Full-time Sign-on Bonus Available

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare • DeKalb, IL

12h • $42 - $57

About The Position

The Physical Therapist supports Northwestern Medicine’s mission, vision, and values while complying with its Code of Ethics, Corporate Compliance Program, policies, procedures, and applicable regulatory and accreditation standards. The role provides outpatient physical therapy and manages patients’ care from initial contact through discharge, with responsibility for functional progress, safety, and treatment outcomes.

The therapist evaluates patients, selects appropriate treatment modalities, equipment, and protocols, conducts re-evaluations, and adjusts treatment plans as needed. They maintain timely, complete documentation in the electronic medical record, provide patient education suited to individual needs, and collaborate consistently with treating physical therapist assistants and other healthcare professionals.

The position also contributes to department operations and continuous improvement, supports colleagues and patient-service needs, participates in projects and educational activities, and may serve as a clinical instructor, mentor, or observation host. The therapist is expected to maintain department productivity standards and flex their schedule or assignment to meet patient-care and department needs, including meetings outside normal work hours.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy.
• Licensed Physical Therapist in the State of Illinois.
• BLS certification from the American Heart Association within 90 days of hire.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s or doctoral degree in Physical Therapy.
• Lymphedema certification.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate Northwestern Medicine’s values of teamwork, patients first, integrity, and excellence in daily work and interactions.
• Provide friendly, professional service; give patients and customers accurate information and timely updates, address questions or concerns, and assist with directions.
• Use service-recovery skills to resolve problems or service breakdowns.
• Manage the patient’s physical therapy care from initial contact through discharge, including functional progress, safety, and treatment outcomes.
• Maintain primary responsibility for patient plans of care through timely, consistent collaboration with treating PTAs.
• Select appropriate evaluations, treatment modalities, equipment, and protocols; perform re-evaluations and adjust treatment plans according to department guidelines.
• Follow department policies for evaluations, progress notes, and discharge summaries, documenting all notes in the electronic medical record.
• Complete daily notes that accurately reflect the patient’s response to treatment, performance, status, treatment plan, and discharge needs, meeting documentation requirements.
• Provide educational materials and methods appropriate to each patient’s understanding and motivation.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with coworkers and healthcare-team members, including physicians, nurses, and case managers; contribute to respectful team communication.
• Use organizational and department resources efficiently, manage work schedules, and complete tasks and assignments on time.
• Contribute to continuous improvement, cost reduction, streamlined work processes, and service development.
• Participate in committees, department processes, special projects, marketing activities, and department educational efforts as expected.
• Complete non-patient-care responsibilities within established timelines, including coverage notes and schedule-change requests.
• Participate in student clinical or observation programs as a clinical instructor, mentor, or observation host, as expected.
• Maintain department productivity standards and flex schedule or assignment to meet patient-care needs and attend staff or department meetings, including outside normal work hours.
• Accept constructive feedback and make timely changes.

Benefits

• A sign-on bonus of $15,000 is listed, subject to the stated eligibility restrictions.
• The organization describes a range of benefits intended to support employees’ physical, emotional, and financial well-being; detailed benefits are provided through the linked benefits information.
• The company description mentions tuition reimbursement, loan forgiveness, and 401(k) matching.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time