Physical Therapist-Orthopedic and Pelvic Health Full-time

Physical Therapist Top 25% in Orthopedic Surgery (Physical Therapy)Full-Time

Listed compensation

$40.79 - $53.03/hr

Listing transparency2 of 6 stated

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations and weekend coverage.

Employment & setting
Full-Time
Call expectations
Not specified
Weekends
Not specified
Posted 4mo ago

Job Description

Company Description

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

Job Description

The Physical Therapist reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

A licensed physical therapist who complies with the Code of Ethics/Standards of Practice as outlined by their professional organization and by the State of Illinois.

The position includes direct patient care, teaching, participation on appropriate committees and departmental process improvement.

Serves as a role model for all therapists and clinical interns in all aspects of professional, clinical, communication, education and leadership activities.

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 person and resources to do so. Provides directions to help patients and customers with finding their way.

Uses effective service recovery skills to solve problems or service breakdowns when they occur.

Maintains primary responsibility over patient plan of care through timely and consistent collaboration with treating PT/ PTA s.

Demonstrates teamwork by helping co-workers within and across departments. Communicates effectively with others, respects diverse opinions and styles, and acknowledges the assistance and contributions of others.

  • Uses organizational and unit/department resources efficiently.
  • Manages work schedule efficiently, completing tasks and assignments on time.
  • Contributes to opportunities and processes for continuous improvement.
  • Participates in efforts to reduce costs, streamline work processes, improve and grow services we provide.

Demonstrates creative problem solving and diversity when adapting the treatment to special circumstances as evidence by team feedback and documentation.

Demonstrates essential skill competencies in selecting the appropriate evaluation in the use of treatment modalities, equipment and protocols. Performs re-evaluations according to department guidelines, adjusting the treatment plan accordingly. Evidenced by chart review.

Assumes complete responsibility over the course of physical therapist patient management from the time of initial contact to discharge for functional progress, safety and treatment outcome as evidenced by team feedback and documentation. Maintains primary responsibility over patient plans of care through timely and consistent collaboration with treating PTA(s).

Adheres to department policy regarding evaluations, progress notes, and discharge summaries. All notes are documented in electronic medical record (EMR).

Completes daily notes that reflect patient’s response to treatment, actual performance, and an assessment as to status, relevant to the treatment plan and eventual discharge needs as evidenced by chart review, meeting all documentation requirements (e. g., allows other therapists to continue treatment, allows for interpretation by payers, supports reimbursement).

Provides educational materials and methods appropriate to the patient’s level of understanding and motivation as evidenced by chart review, observation and team feedback.

Participates in committees, department processes and special projects in accordance with clinical expertise and individual performance plan.

Works to develop and maintain professional relationships with members of healthcare teams (ex: physician, nurse, case manager). Participates in internal and external marketing per department expectations.

Creates a culture of respectful communication by listening, asking for team member input, open and honest conversation, approachability, and timely acknowledgement of individual and team contributions.

Accepts constructive feedback and can make timely changes as evidenced by written coaching forms/chart audits and team feedback.

Proactively completes non-patient care responsibilities within established timelines (coverage notes, PTO/schedule change requests, bonus pay (forms and follow up phone calls).

Contributes to educational efforts of department/clinic (e. g., in-services, journal clubs, new hire orientation, PI) as per department expectations.

Actively participates in student clinical or observation programs by serving as a clinical instructor, mentor, or observation host as per department expectations

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 of normal work hours.

Qualifications

  • Required:
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy.
  • Licensed Physical Therapist in State of Illinois
  • BLS from American Heart Association upon hire

Preferred

  • Masters or Doctoral Degree in Physical Therapy
  • Additional Information

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

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. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.

Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position): Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.

  • Job Shift: Rotating
  • Salary Range Minimum: $40.79
  • Salary Range Maximum: $53.03
  • Compensation: USD 40.79 - USD 53.03 - hourly

Qualifications

Education
Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)

Key Skills

Orthopedic Physical TherapyPelvic HealthPatient EvaluationTreatment PlanningElectronic Medical RecordsClinical InstructionInterdisciplinary CollaborationPatient Education

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Physical Therapist-Orthopedic and Pelvic Health Full-time at Northwestern Memorial Healthcare a 7.1 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as very good. This places the position in the top 25% in Orthopedic Surgery (Physical Therapy) — ranked against 424 active Orthopedic Surgery (Physical Therapy) listings on WeekdayDoc.

Orthopedic Surgery — Physical Therapist Career Context

In Illinois, the Orthopedic Surgery weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$91k (19 salary observations; 46 listings), vs ~$91k nationally (246 salary observations; 842 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2026-03-01 through 2026-09-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.

Of the 50 active Orthopedic Surgery listings this role was benchmarked against, 44% have no call, 80% require no weekends.

Orthopedic Surgery pay on WeekdayDoc is down 2.7% vs. the prior quarter (through Aug 2026).

The cost-of-living index for Illinois is 100.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$98k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $98k in an average-cost state. 62.6% of Illinois clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Physical Therapist Jobs

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Salary Distribution38 jobs · 30 employers

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Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks37 jobs · 30 employers

401k / retirement match
95% this job
CME allowance
73%
Sign-on bonus
49% this job
Loan repayment
30% this job
Relocation assistance
3%

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Work-life snapshot

7.1/ 10
Listing-based score

Top 25% in Orthopedic Surgery (Physical Therapy)

Living in Chicago

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$356k
Typical market rent
$2,342/mo
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.

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

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare logo

About Northwestern Memorial Healthcare

Hospitals and Health Care
Chicago, Illinois
10,000+ employees

Benefits & Perks

Tuition Reimbursement
Loan Forgiveness
401(k) Matching
Lifecycle Benefits
Sign-on Bonus