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UChicago Medicine
Chicago, Illinois

Physical Therapist I

Physical TherapistNo nightsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$95K - $110.8K

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 5mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

Physical Therapist I Full-Time Days

Eligible for a Sign-On Bonus up to $1,500!

Be a part of a world-class academic healthcare system, UChicago Medicine, as a Physical Therapist I at the Hyde Park campus.

In this role, the Physical Therapist performs advanced/specialized physical therapy services/procedures and consultations, primarily in area of advanced clinical competency and/or specialty certification. With responsibilities that include supervising and providing clinical instruction for affiliating DPT students during full-time clinical rotations and participating in program development and supporting research and quality/performance improvement initiatives.

We are seeking a skilled Physical Therapist to join our service line. This role offers the opportunity to work with a broad spectrum of patients and complex orthopedic conditions in a collaborative, academically oriented environment. You will be supported by experienced mentors, collaborate with highly skilled colleagues, and practice with meaningful clinical autonomy.

Our program also maintains a collaborative partnership with the renowned Shirley Ryan Abilitylab, providing access to advanced learning opportunities, interdisciplinary collaboration, and exposure to nationally recognized rehabilitation expertise.

Essential Job Functions

Conducts evaluations using appropriate tests and measurements to determine physical therapy problems, functional levels, and recommended treatment plans.

Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to establish patient disposition.

Demonstrates knowledge of and applies patient care protocols that address the physical, psychosocial, and developmental needs of neonatal, pediatric, adult and geriatric populations. Includes patient goals in care plan.

  • Adheres to departmental policies, procedures and regulatory requirements.
  • Participates in quality assurance activities as needed.
  • Develops physical therapy interventions in collaboration with the patient/family, referring practitioner and treatment team goals.
  • Competently performs appropriate physical therapy techniques and procedures.
  • Ensures continuity of care through timely and effective written and verbal communication with team members and other treating disciplines, particularly when planning absences.
  • Attends rounds, conferences, and clinics as assigned, providing patient updates and discharge recommendations.
  • Identifies and recommends necessary patient care equipment prior to discharge and assists with procurement as appropriate.
  • Accurately documents evaluations, progress notes, and all procedures performed within established timeframes.
  • Completes compliant, timely, and accurate patient billing at the end of each day.
  • Instructs patients and families in home exercise programs.
  • Provides education on therapy diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment plans.

Required Qualifications

Requires graduation from an approved physical therapy school.

Requires current physical therapy license in the State of Illinois (or eligibility to practice)

Active BLS certification from the American Heart Association (AHA).

Knowledge and skills necessary to provide age-specific and appropriate care for the patient populations served.

Basic computer proficiency.

Strong interpersonal skills to foster positive interactions with patients, families, the multidisciplinary team, and external contacts.

Position Details

  • Job type/FTE: Full Time (1.0 FTE)
  • Shift: Days - 8-hour shift
  • Work Location: Hyde Park
  • Unit/Department: Physical Therapy
  • CBA Code: Non-Union

Key Responsibilities

The Physical Therapist performs advanced physical therapy services, consultations, and evaluations for a broad spectrum of patients. They also supervise DPT students, participate in program development, and contribute to research and quality improvement initiatives.

Requirements

Candidates must have graduated from an approved physical therapy school and hold a current Illinois physical therapy license or be eligible for one. An active BLS certification from the American Heart Association is also required.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure

Key Skills

Patient evaluationTreatment planningPatient educationDocumentation

Physical Therapist Career Context

Of the 50 active Physical Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 52% have no call, 64% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Illinois is 100.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$103k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $103k in an average-cost state. 62.6% of Illinois clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Physical Therapist I at UChicago Medicine a 7.2 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as very good. This places the position in the top 10% in Physical Therapy — ranked against 22,005 active Physical Therapy listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no night shifts.

Top Physical Therapist Jobs

35 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution35 jobs · 24 employers

7
<$100k
7
$100k-110k
16
$110k-120k
1
$124k
4
$130k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks33 jobs · 24 employers

401k / retirement match
97%
CME allowance
79% this job
Sign-on bonus
64% this job
Loan repayment
24%
Relocation assistance
6%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Physical Therapist (PT) Home Health | $150,000 Annual Salary (Redding)

Home Care Providers Group · Yuba City, California

$150k-$160k
#2

Physical Therapist - Studio City

Myo · Los Angeles, California

$90k-$140k
#3

Physical Therapist - West Hollywood

$90k-$140k
#4

Physical Therapist (PT)

$100k-$130k
+ 33 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 4.8this job 7.2
Better work-life than 80% of Physical Therapy listings

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

  • No nights
  • On-site

Living in Chicago

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$356k≈ 3.7× annual pay
Typical market rent
$2,342/mo≈ 30% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
33 min
State income tax
Up to 5%
Sources & methodology

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

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

UChicago Medicine logo

About UChicago Medicine

Hospitals and Health Care
Harvey, IL
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Sign-On Bonus up to $1,500
Comprehensive benefits package
Access to Shirley Ryan Abilitylab resources
Professional growth and mentorship
Continuing education