Outpatient Physical Therapist-Full-time Days

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare • Sycamore, IL

18h

About The Position

The Physical Therapist reflects Northwestern Medicine’s mission, vision, and values, follows its Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with applicable policies, procedures, guidelines, and regulatory and accreditation standards. The role requires a licensed physical therapist who follows professional and Illinois standards of practice. It includes direct patient care, teaching, committee participation, 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 therapist manages patient care from initial contact through discharge, including evaluation, treatment planning, reassessment, documentation, safety, and functional progress. The role involves collaboration with physical therapist assistants and other healthcare professionals, patient education, maintaining professional relationships, and contributing to department and clinic activities. The therapist is expected to demonstrate Northwestern Medicine’s values, support continuous improvement, maintain productivity standards, and flex schedules or assignments to meet patient-care and department needs.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

• Master’s or doctoral degree in Physical Therapy.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate teamwork, patients first, integrity, and excellence in daily work and interactions.
• Provide friendly, professional service; give accurate information and timely updates, address questions and concerns, assist with directions, and use service recovery skills when needed.
• Maintain primary responsibility for patient plans of care through timely collaboration with treating physical therapist assistants.
• Manage work schedules and assignments efficiently, and complete tasks on time.
• Contribute to continuous improvement, cost reduction, streamlined work processes, and growth of services.
• Select appropriate evaluations, treatment modalities, equipment, and protocols; perform re-evaluations according to department guidelines and adjust treatment plans as needed.
• Manage patients from initial contact through discharge, accounting for functional progress, safety, and treatment outcomes.
• Follow department policies for evaluations, progress notes, and discharge summaries, and document care in the electronic medical record.
• Complete daily notes that document the patient’s response and performance, status, treatment plan, and discharge needs, meeting documentation requirements.
• Provide patient education using materials and methods appropriate to the patient’s understanding and motivation.
• Participate in committees, department processes, and special projects in accordance with clinical expertise and individual performance plans.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with healthcare team members, including physicians, nurses, and case managers.
• Participate in internal and external marketing as expected by the department.
• Promote respectful communication, invite team input, remain approachable, acknowledge contributions, and accept and act on constructive feedback.
• Complete non-patient-care responsibilities within established timelines, including coverage notes and schedule-change requests.
• Contribute to department and clinic education through activities such as in-services, journal clubs, new-hire orientation, and performance improvement.
• Participate in student clinical or observation programs as a clinical instructor, mentor, or observation host, as expected by the department.
• Maintain productivity standards and flex schedules or assignments to meet patient-care needs and attend meetings, including those outside normal work hours.
• Demonstrate creative problem-solving and adapt treatment to special circumstances.

Benefits

• Northwestern Medicine offers a range of benefits intended to support employees’ physical, emotional, and financial well-being and provide protection for unexpected life events. The posting directs applicants to the benefits website and eligibility information for details.

What This Job Offers

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