Physical Therapist I - Outpatient Orthopedics

Job Description

Description

Your passion belongs at UNC Health. Join more than 56,000 teammates working together to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve across North Carolina.

Summary

UNC Therapy Services, the outpatient orthopedic therapy division of the Rehabilitation Services Department at UNC Medical Center, is now accepting applications for a Physical Therapist I at UNC Therapy Services – UNC Sports Medicine Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

This is an exciting opportunity for a physical therapist to provide high-quality outpatient orthopedic and sports rehabilitation within a collaborative sports medicine environment. The Sports Medicine Center serves a broad orthopedic population, including active individuals of all ages and activity levels, from patients working to return comfortably to everyday activities to recreational, competitive, and high-level athletes seeking to return to sport and optimal performance.

The clinic provides care across the full spectrum of orthopedic and musculoskeletal conditions, including acute and chronic injuries, post-surgical rehabilitation, sports-related conditions, spine and extremity disorders, and other conditions affecting mobility, function, and participation. Located within the UNC Sports Medicine Center, therapists have the opportunity to work in close proximity to orthopedic physicians, advanced practice providers, imaging services, and other members of the sports medicine team, supporting coordinated and patient-centered care.

The role is designed for a clinician who is looking to provide evidence-based, one-on-one patient care while continuing to grow professionally within a collaborative outpatient rehabilitation environment. This position offers the opportunity to develop expertise across a diverse orthopedic caseload while helping patients achieve goals ranging from improved daily function and mobility to return to recreation, exercise, work, and competitive athletics.

We take pride in our commitment to one-on-one care with 45-minute evaluations and treatments, ensuring a patient-centered and personalized approach. This care model allows therapists to deliver focused, high-quality care, build strong therapeutic relationships, and support optimal outcomes, which is something many candidates value when choosing to join our team.

In addition to patient care, you will have the opportunity to participate in ongoing continuing education, mentoring, student education, community and professional outreach, process improvement, and program development initiatives. These opportunities allow you to broaden your impact and professional growth by contributing to clinical programs, quality improvement projects, educational outreach, and interdisciplinary initiatives within and outside of our team.

This role is ideal for clinicians looking to provide exceptional orthopedic care while developing within a sports medicine environment that values clinical excellence, collaboration, professional growth, and individualized patient care. The position offers meaningful opportunities for mentorship, student teaching, interdisciplinary collaboration, continuing education, and participation in initiatives that enhance rehabilitative care across UNC Health.

Schedule : Full-time, day-shift position working Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week.

Location: Onsite at UNC Therapy Services – UNC Sports Medicine Center, 6118 Farrington Road, Suite B, Chapel Hill, NC 27517.

Core Responsibilities

• Patient Care: Provide comprehensive, evidence-based rehabilitative care to patients, encompassing patient assessment, evaluation, treatment, planning, and associated administrative tasks. Deliver personalized, one-on-one care through 45-minute evaluations and treatments. Manage a diverse outpatient orthopedic caseload while organizing care around the needs, goals, and priorities of patients and their families.
• Clinical Growth & Collaboration: Participate in clinical mentorship and professional development opportunities within UNC Therapy Services. Collaborate with physical therapists, rehabilitation providers, orthopedic physicians, sports medicine physicians, surgeons, advanced practice providers, athletic trainers, and other healthcare professionals to support coordinated, patient-centered care.
• Clinic Support & Program Participation: Support the continued success of UNC Therapy Services at the Sports Medicine Center through excellent patient care, teamwork, patient access support, and participation in clinic-based initiatives. Contribute to programs and services supporting orthopedic rehabilitation, injury recovery, return to activity, and return to sport while engaging in process improvement, professional outreach, and program development opportunities as appropriate for the role.
• Diagnostic Testing & Evaluations: Conduct basic and complex diagnostic tests and evaluations, focusing on the treatment of mobility disorders and related impairments. Utilize appropriate examination and testing methods to assess patient needs, identify impairments and functional limitations, and support individualized treatment planning.
• Evaluation of Care: Analyze results from diagnostic and therapeutic testing to establish and modify patient goals and treatment programs. Identify expected patient outcomes and communicate key information to ensure continuity and coordination of care.
• Implementation: Employ current and advanced treatment techniques to provide high-quality, efficient rehabilitative services. Provide both habilitation and rehabilitation while progressing patients toward individualized functional goals that may include independence with daily activities, work, recreation, exercise, and return to athletic participation.
• Educational Engagement: Provide education and supervision to graduate Physical Therapy students and/or clinical fellows or residents as appropriate. Develop or contribute to innovative patient care programs and serve as a clinical resource within areas of developing expertise. Participate in educational and professional activities that support patients, colleagues, and the broader rehabilitation community.
• Outreach & Community Involvement: Participate in community outreach, patient education, health screening events, and professional engagement opportunities. Collaborate with peers, clinical specialists, sports medicine professionals, and departmental leaders to meet emerging needs and support the development of clinical programs.
• Participation: Actively contribute to the quality of clinical services by participating in departmental meetings, in-service training, interdisciplinary collaboration, and team-based initiatives. Your involvement is important to maintaining high standards of care, communication, and service delivery.
• Quality Improvement: Uphold the quality of clinical services through meticulous maintenance of valid and reliable records of patient procedures and progress. Engage in quality improvement initiatives alongside departmental leaders, clinical specialists, and other healthcare professionals. Participate in continuous efforts to improve clinical outcomes, patient experience, access, and care delivery.

UNC Health offers a comprehensive and competitive total rewards package designed to support your health, financial well-being, work-life balance, and long-term career growth. Benefits include competitive and equity-aligned compensation, medical, dental, and vision coverage, generous paid time off, retirement plans with employer contributions, wellness resources, and additional employee benefits.

UNC Health also invests in professional development through continuing education support, tuition reimbursement, board certification opportunities, mentorship, and educational and leadership development. Employees have opportunities for market- and merit-based salary advancement as applicable, as well as career progression within Rehabilitation Services and the broader UNC Health system.

Career pathways may include advancement to Physical Therapist II, clinical specialist, educator, clinical supervisor, manager, and other leadership roles, along with opportunities to participate in teaching, mentorship, committees, program development, and other professional initiatives.

Other Information

Other information:
Education Requirements:
● Graduation from an accredited Physical Therapy program.
Licensure/Certification Requirements:
● Licensed as a Physical Therapist in the state of North Carolina.
● BLS within 3 months of hire date.
Professional Experience Requirements:
● No prior experience required.
Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities Requirements:
● Exhibits effective communication and interprofessional skills; requires physical stamina and repetitive movements, including, but not limited to, sitting, standing, kneeling, walking, and squatting during patient interventions while supporting one's weight; can engage in high-level problem-solving to ensure patient safety during mobilization.

Job Details

Legal Employer: STATE

Entity: UNC Medical Center

Organization Unit: UNC Therapy Services

Work Type: Full Time

Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00

Salary Range: $35.87 - $51.57 per hour (Hiring Range)

Pay offers are determined by experience and internal equity

Work Assignment Type: Onsite

Work Schedule: Day Job

Location of Job: US:NC:Chapel Hill

Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: Yes

This is a State position employed by UNC Health Care System with UNC Health benefits. If, however, you are presently an employee of another North Carolina agency and currently participate in TSERS or the ORP, you will be eligible to continue participating in those plans at UNC Health.

Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran or political affiliation.

UNC Health makes reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as applicants and employees with disabilities. All interested applicants are invited to apply for career opportunities. Please email [email protected] if you need a reasonable accommodation to search and/or to apply for a career opportunity.