Physical Therapist I - Outpatient Orthopedics & Aquatic Therapy

UNC Health • Chapel Hill, NC

4d • Onsite

About The Position

UNC Hospitals Rehabilitation Services is seeking a compassionate Physical Therapist I for UNC Therapy Services – Meadowmont, located within the UNC Wellness Center at Meadowmont in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. This is a full-time, onsite role providing outpatient orthopedic and sports rehabilitation, with opportunities to develop and deliver aquatic physical therapy. Experienced therapists and new graduates are welcome.

The clinician will provide individualized, evidence-based care to adolescents, active adults, and older adults with orthopedic and musculoskeletal conditions, including spine and extremity conditions, sports and recreational injuries, postoperative needs, osteoarthritis, and limitations in mobility, balance, strength, and function. Care may combine land-based treatment with aquatic therapy in a dedicated warm-water pool, as appropriate to patient needs and the clinician’s training and demonstrated competencies. Aquatic experience is not required; mentorship and competency-based training are available.

The clinic emphasizes personalized, one-on-one care, with primarily 45-minute evaluations and treatment sessions. The therapist will work with a collaborative team with expertise in areas including orthopedic and sports rehabilitation, geriatrics, manual therapy, vestibular and balance rehabilitation, and aquatic care. The role also offers opportunities for mentorship, continuing education, interdisciplinary collaboration, student learning, community engagement, and quality or program improvement.

The required schedule is Tuesday through Saturday, 40 hours per week, with Monday and Sunday off. Tuesday–Friday are daytime hours determined by clinic operations and scheduling needs; Saturday is generally 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. The final schedule establishes specific shift details and meal breaks. The position is onsite at UNC Therapy Services – Meadowmont, 100 Sprunt Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27517.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited Physical Therapy program.
• Licensed as a Physical Therapist in the state of North Carolina.
• BLS certification within 3 months of hire.
• Sound foundational examination, clinical reasoning, individualized treatment planning, and patient education skills.
• Willingness to learn safe aquatic therapy practices, pool protocols, and water-based therapeutic exercise, and to demonstrate applicable competencies before independently providing aquatic services.
• Effective communication, interdisciplinary collaboration, documentation, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Ability to care for a broad outpatient orthopedic and sports rehabilitation population, seek consultation when appropriate, and adapt care to individual patient needs.
• Commitment to evidence-based, patient-centered practice, professional learning, teamwork, and quality improvement.
• Ability to work the required Tuesday-through-Saturday schedule.

Nice To Haves

• Experience or clinical interest in outpatient orthopedics, sports rehabilitation, postoperative care, geriatrics, or therapeutic exercise.
• Experience in aquatic physical therapy or a strong interest and willingness to develop aquatic rehabilitation skills through training and mentorship.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive, evidence-based physical therapy evaluations and develop individualized plans of care for patients with orthopedic, sports-related, postoperative, and other musculoskeletal conditions.
• Provide therapeutic exercise, strength and conditioning, mobility training, neuromuscular re-education, manual interventions when indicated, and progressive functional activities.
• Deliver individualized aquatic rehabilitation when clinically indicated and appropriate to training and demonstrated competency; monitor patients and support progression between aquatic and land-based treatment.
• Select and interpret appropriate tests and outcome measures, monitor patient response, recognize precautions and indications for consultation, and adjust treatment plans.
• Educate patients and caregivers about recovery, exercise progression, home programs, activity modification, symptom management, and ongoing physical activity.
• Maintain timely and accurate documentation, charges, and clinical records in accordance with departmental, payer, and regulatory expectations.
• Manage daily patient care and coordination while meeting applicable productivity standards and supporting patient access and continuity of care.
• Collaborate with physical therapy colleagues, clinical specialists, referring providers, and other healthcare professionals to coordinate treatment and communicate patient progress.
• Participate in orientation, mentorship, competency verification, in-service education, and continuing professional development.
• Assist with student learning, outreach, clinic initiatives, and quality improvement or program development appropriate to the PT I role.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for eligible full-time teammates, subject to applicable plan requirements.
• Paid time off.
• Retirement options.
• Wellness resources.
• Educational assistance.
• Competitive and equity-aligned compensation, subject to applicable requirements.
• Eligible State employees participating in TSERS or the ORP may continue participating in those plans at UNC Health.

What This Job Offers

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