Outpatient Physical Therapist Float Locations-Full-time

About the Role

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our Rehabilitation Services team, you'll join a collaborative, multi-disciplinary group providing world-class care at 10 hospitals and over 200 locations across Chicago, the suburbs, and northern Illinois. Together with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, we push boundaries in innovative care delivery, train the next generation of rehabilitation specialists, and pursue excellence in patient care.

Rehabilitation Services values building relationships with patients and their families, understanding staff needs, and providing opportunities for professional development, mentorship, and program growth. Our integration across Northwestern Medicine allows us to serve more patients closer to where they live and work, unified under the mission: Patients First.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates the four NM values of teamwork, patients first, integrity, and excellence in daily work and interactions.
• Presents a friendly, approachable, professional demeanor and appearance; provides accurate information and timely updates to patients and customers.
• Addresses questions and concerns promptly or identifies appropriate resources to do so; provides directions to help patients and customers navigate.
• Uses effective service recovery skills to solve problems or service breakdowns.
• Maintains primary responsibility over patient plan of care through timely and consistent collaboration with treating PT/PTAs.
• Demonstrates teamwork by helping co-workers within and across departments; communicates effectively, respects diverse opinions, and acknowledges contributions.
• Uses organizational and unit/department resources efficiently; manages work schedule to complete tasks on time.
• Contributes to continuous improvement, cost reduction, and service growth.
• Demonstrates creative problem-solving when adapting treatments to special circumstances.
• Performs evaluations, re-evaluations, and adjusts treatment plans according to department guidelines; maintains complete responsibility for patient management from initial contact to discharge.
• Adheres to department policy for documentation (evaluations, progress notes, discharge summaries) in the electronic medical record (EMR); completes daily notes reflecting patient response, performance, and status.
• Provides educational materials and methods appropriate to the patient’s level of understanding and motivation.
• Participates in committees, department processes, and special projects aligned with clinical expertise and performance plan.
• Develops and maintains professional relationships with healthcare team members (e.g., physicians, nurses, case managers).
• Participates in internal and external marketing per department expectations.
• Fosters a culture of respectful communication by listening, seeking input, and acknowledging contributions.
• Accepts constructive feedback and makes timely changes.
• Completes non-patient care responsibilities (e.g., coverage notes, PTO requests, bonus pay forms) within established timelines.
• Contributes to educational efforts (e.g., in-services, journal clubs, new hire orientation, process improvement).
• Actively participates in student clinical or observation programs as a clinical instructor, mentor, or host.
• Maintains productivity standards per department expectations.
• Demonstrates willingness to flex schedule or assignment to meet patient care needs, staff meetings, and department-specific meetings outside normal work hours.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy (Required).
• Licensed Physical Therapist in the State of Illinois.
• BLS certification from the American Heart Association upon hire.
• Masters or Doctoral Degree in Physical Therapy (Preferred).

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Benefits include:

• Tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness.
• 401(k) matching.
• Lifecycle benefits.

Sign-on bonus eligibility may apply for this position (internal employees and rehires who left within 1 year are generally not eligible).