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University of Washington
Seattle, Washington

Physical Therapist 2 - NICU

Physical TherapistIncludes callNo nightsPer Diem

Listed compensation

$49.36-$72.76/hr

The week · per this posting

Ask the employer about the work setting, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 2mo ago

Job Description

The UW Medical Center-Montlake Physical Therapy Department has an outstanding opportunity for a Physical Therapist 2 within the NICU.

WORK SCHEDULE: Per Diem

Day Shift

Position Highlights

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Physical Therapist is responsible for providing specialized, evidence-based physical therapy services to medically complex premature and critically ill infants in a Level IV NICU.

Working as an integral member of the interdisciplinary neonatal team, a NICU Physical Therapist II evaluates infant neuromotor development, provides individualized developmental interventions, promotes optimal positioning and handling, supports family-centered care, and facilitates safe discharge planning.

Strong candidates will have a minimum of one year experience working in a NICU or with pediatric patients.

Primary Job Responsibilities

Perform comprehensive physical therapy evaluations of premature and medically complex neonates, including assessment of neuromotor development, muscle tone, movement quality, posture, reflexes, sensory processing, feeding readiness (as appropriate), and musculoskeletal integrity.

Develop and implement individualized plans of care based on current evidence, developmental care principles, and patient-specific medical needs.

Provide therapeutic interventions to optimize motor development, physiologic stability, positioning, range of motion, strength, and functional movement while minimizing stress and supporting neuroprotection.

Educate parents and caregivers regarding infant development, positioning, handling techniques, developmental milestones, safe sleep practices, equipment needs, and home exercise or developmental programs.

Coordinate and direct patient care to ensure patients’ needs are met and hospital policy is followed. Consult other departments as appropriate to collaborate in patient care and performance improvement activities. Communicate appropriately and clearly to physicians, staff and administrative team.

Required Position Qualifications

Current Washington State license to practice as a Physical Therapist.

A Bachelor’s degree from a recognized school of physical therapy, or completion of a Physical Therapy program and one year relevant experience.

Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

About UW Medical Center-Montlake

UW Medical Center is an acute care academic medical center located in Seattle with two campuses: Montlake and Northwest. As the No. 1 hospital in Seattle and Washington State since 2012 (U.S. News & World Report) and nationally ranked in seven specialties, UW Medical Center prides itself on compassionate patient care as well as its pioneering medical advances.

The UW Medical Center-Montlake campus is located on the edge of the beautiful UW campus which includes many amenities available to our staff as well as very convenient public transit options including the Sound Transit’s light rail station across the street.

Excellence. Exploration. Education.

About UW Medicine – Where Your Impact GOES Further

UW Medicine is Washington’s only health system that includes a top-rated medical school and an internationally recognized research center. UW Medicine’s mission is to improve the health of the public by advancing medical knowledge, providing outstanding primary and specialty care to the people of the region, and preparing tomorrow’s physicians, scientists and other health professionals.

All across UW Medicine, our employees collaborate to perform the highest quality work with integrity and compassion and to create a respectful, welcoming environment where every patient, family, student and colleague is valued and honored. Nearly 29,000 healthcare professionals, researchers, and educators work in the UW Medicine family of organizations that includes: Harborview Medical Center, UW Medical Center - Montlake, UW Medical Center - Northwest, Valley Medical Center, UW Medicine Primary Care, UW Physicians, UW School of Medicine, and Airlift Northwest.

Become part of our team. Join our mission to make life healthier for everyone in our community.

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum

$49.36 hourly

Pay Range Maximum

$72.76 hourly

Other Compensation

Benefits

For information about benefits for this position, visit washington.edu

Shift: First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a temporary position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent)

0.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit

SEIU Local 925 Healthcare Prof/Lab Tech

About the UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Our Commitment

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.

Key Responsibilities

The NICU Physical Therapist provides specialized, evidence-based care to critically ill infants, including neuromotor evaluations and individualized developmental interventions. They also collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to support family-centered care and facilitate safe discharge planning.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a current Washington State Physical Therapist license and possess a Bachelor’s degree in physical therapy or equivalent. A minimum of one year of experience working in a NICU or with pediatric patients is required.

Qualifications

Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Neuromotor development assessmentPatient positioningFeeding readiness assessmentEvidence-based practiceInterdisciplinary collaborationPediatric physical therapy

Physical Therapist Career Context

Of the 48 active Physical Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 8% are remote, 48% have no call, 48% require no weekends.

In Washington, the Physical Therapy weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$101k (568 salary observations; 1,166 listings), vs ~$94k nationally (14,787 salary observations; 56,350 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2026-01-01 through 2026-10-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.

The cost-of-living index for Washington is 107.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 59.8% of Washington clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

University of Washington holds silver-tier status on WeekdayDoc's Top Employers work-life index, composite score 71/100, 104 active listings.

Location & Logistics

Washington has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states.

Top contract/1099 Physical Therapist Jobs

48 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution26 jobs

9
<$125k
4
$125k-140k
8
$140k-155k
5
$155k-170k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks32 jobs · 29 employers

401k / retirement match
72%
CME allowance
44%
Sign-on bonus
28%
Relocation assistance
3%
PSLF eligible
3%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Home Health Physical TherapistPer Diem

Transition Care Telemetry · San Juan Capistrano, California

$80-$110/hr
#2

Home Health Physical Therapist (PT) – PRNPer Diem

Concierge Home Care · St. Cloud, Florida

$70-$100/hr
#3

Home Care Physical Therapist- Independent Contractor (Union County)

$74-$95/hr
#4

Home Care Physical Therapist- Per Diem (Ocean County)

$72-$95/hr
+ 46 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 4.8this job 5.1
Better work-life than 50% of Physical Therapy listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 22,005 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • No nights
  • Includes call

Living in Seattle

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$881k
Typical market rent
$2,234/mo
Residents’ average commute
26 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
111.1
State income tax
None
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

University of Washington logo

About University of Washington

Hospitals and Health Care
Seattle, WA
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Per Diem
Day Shift
Temporary Position