Physical Therapist NICU
Compensation
Pay not listed
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the pay range, the work setting, call expectations and time off.
Job Description
Department Overview
This position is open to a Physical Therapist. The purpose of this job/position is to function as a member of the Rehabilitation Services patient care team by providing developmental therapy evaluation and treatment for our neonatal population.
Treatment includes therapy services such as neonatal/infant massage and manual therapy, NDT, non-pharmacological pain management, family/caregiver education, and various other physical modalities to promote gross and fine motor development, improve breathing mechanics, and assist patients in improving strength, endurance, mobility and flexibility.
The neonatal therapist in this position would be expected to serve clients in multiple areas of Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, including the Doernbecher Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Pediatric ICU, Pediatric Medical/Surgical wards, and outpatient follow-up services.
Therapists evaluate each patient referred, establish treatment goals/objectives, develop a treatment plan and implement the plan. Therapists are expected to supervise therapy interns and students, assist with other educational research activities conducted by the department or the hospital and meet hospital standards regarding documentation and productivity. This position may include weekend shifts.
- Function/Duties of Position
- Provides a Safe Therapeutic Environment
- Ensures the safety and welfare of patients and fellow employees
- Utilizes proper posture, sound body mechanics and principles for safe patient handling
Considers the needs of patients, employees, medical staff, volunteers, vendors and members of the community in an informative, courteous and compassionate manner
Maintains general good physical and mental health and self-care in order not to jeopardize the health and safety of self and others in the hospital / clinical setting
Service
Demonstrates excellent customer service and communication skills in all interactions with patients and family, including both telephone and face-to- face situations
Uses I CARE for Introduction and Closing
- Demonstrates active listening skills and supportive, professional/behavior at all times, to patients, families and staff
- Addresses, complaints and problems promptly and courteously, involving management when indicated
- Communicates with patients/families, other health care team members, in a time and cost efficient, courteous manner
Provides Skilled Rehabilitation Treatment
Prioritize care needs given medical necessity, discharge plan, medical stability and appropriateness to participate in rehabilitation
Performs and documents skilled patient care activities, including direct treatment and caregiver/patient/family education
- Monitors and adjusts treatment plan specific to patient progress
- Facilitates routine patient activity plans with nursing and other caregivers
- Updates recommendations to team regarding continuing rehabilitation needs and plan as patient’s condition and situation warrant
- Directs, supports and provides supervision as required for COTA’s, Aides and volunteers
- Develops and enhances patient care program and patient outcomes in specialty area
- Documents treatment and other patient contacts in patient's medical record in compliance with DNV, OHSU, OAR’s and third-party payer criteria
- Other Duties as Assigned
Required Qualifications
- A license with the Oregon Physical Therapist Licensing Board as a Physical Therapist; OR
- Completed an accredited physical therapy educational program and be eligible to obtain an Oregon Physical Therapy license or temporary permit.
- At the time of appointment must have at least a temporary permit
Positions with in person patient care: BLS certificate within 30 days of hire or prior to independent practice, whichever comes first.
Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies)
Experience in Pediatric Acute Rehab
- Clinical Skills in evaluation, treatment and team collaboration, consistent with acute care physical therapist practice
- Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodation
Preferred Qualifications
- DPT
- Experience in Level IV NICU, Pediatric Acute Rehab, and Pediatric Outpatient
- Experience with patient/clients aged 0-15 years. NICU, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit coursework or rotation
- NICU Specialty Certificate
- Additional Details
- Routine inpatient hospital environment
Why Apply to OHSU?
We are Oregon's only public academic health center. In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington.
All are welcome. OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply.
To request reasonable accommodation, contact askhr@ohsu.edu
Key Responsibilities
Provide developmental therapy evaluation and treatment for neonatal and pediatric patients across various hospital units. Supervise therapy interns and students while maintaining documentation standards and collaborating with the multidisciplinary care team.
Requirements
Requires a license or eligibility for licensure as a Physical Therapist in Oregon and BLS certification. Experience in pediatric acute rehabilitation is required, with preference for NICU-specific experience and a DPT degree.
Qualifications
- Education
- Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Physical Therapist Career Context
In Oregon, the Physical Therapy weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$97k (263 salary observations; 743 listings), vs ~$94k nationally (12,992 salary observations; 63,762 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2026-01-01 through 2026-11-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.
The cost-of-living index for Oregon is 103.4 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 62.0% of Oregon clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Listed pay | not listed | Physical Therapy median $94k (middle half $88k–$102k)352 comparable listings, Nov 2026 |
| Oregon vs national | $97k median in Oregon | $94k nationally (+3%)263 state / 12,992 national salary observations |
| Cost of living | Oregon index 103.4 | US average = 100BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Physical Therapy listings in Oregon | 294 active | 21,820 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 6% remote · 56% no call · 54% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | Oregon Physical Therapist listings: 27% state a sign-on bonus (median $5k) · 22% offer loan repayment308 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New Physical Therapy listings | 7,752 in the last 30 days | 4,473 the 30 days before (+73%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Physical Therapy pay trend | +1.6% vs prior quarter | —through Oct 2026 |
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