Physical Therapist I - Outpatient Orthopedics & Aquatic Therapy

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 Hospitals Rehabilitation Services is seeking a motivated, compassionate Physical Therapist I to join UNC Therapy Services - Meadowmont, located within the UNC Wellness Center at Meadowmont in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. This full-time, Tuesday-Saturday opportunity is ideal for a clinician interested in providing comprehensive outpatient orthopedic and sports rehabilitation while developing or expanding skills in aquatic physical therapy. We welcome experienced therapists and new graduates who value evidence-based care, clinical collaboration, and continued professional growth.

Our clinic provides individualized rehabilitation for a broad orthopedic and musculoskeletal population, including adolescents, active adults, and older adults. Patients present with acute, recurrent, and persistent conditions involving the spine and extremities; sports and recreational injuries; postoperative rehabilitation needs; osteoarthritis and other joint conditions; and mobility, balance, strength, and functional limitations. Treatment is tailored to each person's presentation and goals, whether returning to daily activities, work, exercise, recreation, or sport.

A distinctive feature of Meadowmont is the opportunity to combine land-based rehabilitation with aquatic physical therapy. The clinic has access to extensive exercise and strength-training resources, an indoor track, and a dedicated warm-water therapy pool within the Wellness Center. Aquatic treatment may be incorporated when clinically appropriate to support graded movement, therapeutic exercise, mobility, strengthening, and functional progression. We are seeking a therapist with experience in aquatic rehabilitation or a genuine interest in developing these skills; prior aquatic therapy experience is not required, and mentorship and competency-based training are available.

We emphasize personalized, one-on-one care with primarily 45-minute evaluations and treatment sessions. This model supports meaningful therapeutic relationships, sound clinical reasoning, patient education, and individualized progression. Appointment durations and clinical templates may vary based on patient needs, aquatic treatment considerations, and operational requirements.

Clinicians work alongside an experienced, collaborative team with interests and expertise spanning orthopedic and sports rehabilitation, geriatrics, manual therapy, vestibular and balance rehabilitation, and aquatic care. Opportunities include clinical mentorship, interdisciplinary collaboration, continuing education, student learning, community engagement, and participation in quality and program improvement. The Tuesday-Saturday schedule also supports access to rehabilitation services for patients who benefit from Saturday appointments.

This role is well suited to a therapist seeking a broad orthopedic caseload, a supportive learning environment, and the opportunity to incorporate both land-based and aquatic approaches into evidence-based, patient-centered practice.

Work Schedule

- Full-time, 1.0 FTE, 40 hours per week.

- Required schedule: Tuesday through Saturday, with Monday and Sunday off.

- Tuesday-Friday: daytime hours with start and end times determined by clinic operations and scheduling needs.

- Saturday: generally 8:00 AM-5:00 PM, with meal break and specific shift details established in the final schedule.

- Onsite at UNC Therapy Services - Meadowmont, within the UNC Wellness Center at Meadowmont, 100 Sprunt Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27517.

- Clinical responsibilities include land-based outpatient rehabilitation and opportunities to deliver aquatic therapy based on clinical needs, training, and demonstrated competencies.

Core Responsibilities

Patient Evaluation & Care: Perform comprehensive, evidence-based physical therapy evaluations, develop individualized plans of care, and deliver skilled treatment for patients with orthopedic, sports-related, postoperative, and other musculoskeletal conditions. Use clinical examination findings, functional outcome measures, patient preferences, and appropriate consultation to guide care.

Orthopedic & Sports Rehabilitation: Provide individualized therapeutic exercise, strength and conditioning, mobility training, neuromuscular re-education, manual interventions when indicated, and progressive functional activities. Address impairments and activity limitations related to spine and extremity conditions, surgical recovery, persistent pain, return to exercise, and participation in work or recreation.

Aquatic Physical Therapy: Participate in the delivery and development of individualized aquatic rehabilitation when clinically indicated and appropriate to training and demonstrated competency. Incorporate safe water-based exercise and movement progression, patient monitoring, and transition between aquatic and land-based treatment. Complete available mentorship, orientation, pool-safety training, and competency development as needed.

Clinical Reasoning & Care Progression: Select and interpret appropriate tests and outcome measures, monitor patient response, recognize precautions and indications for consultation, and adjust treatment plans to support safe and effective recovery. Integrate evidence-based interventions and functional goal setting rather than relying on any single treatment method.

Patient Education & Self-Management: Educate patients and caregivers about recovery expectations, exercise progression, home programs, activity modification, symptom management, and sustainable participation in physical activity. Support patients in transitioning from skilled rehabilitation to independent activity and wellness resources when appropriate.

Documentation, Billing & Caseload Management: Maintain timely, accurate documentation, charges, and required clinical records consistent with departmental, payer, and regulatory expectations. Manage daily patient care and coordination efficiently while meeting applicable productivity standards and supporting patient access and continuity of care.

Teamwork & Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Collaborate with physical therapy colleagues, clinical specialists, referring providers, and other healthcare professionals to coordinate treatment and communicate patient progress. Contribute to a respectful, supportive team environment and participate in shared clinical problem-solving.

Clinical Growth, Education & Quality Improvement: Participate in orientation, mentorship, competency verification, in-service education, and continuing professional development. Assist with student learning, outreach, clinic-based initiatives, and quality improvement or program development appropriate to the PT I role.

Why Join UNC Health?

One-on-One Patient Care: Provide primarily 45-minute individualized visits that support thoughtful assessment, treatment progression, and strong patient relationships.

Broad Orthopedic & Sports Caseload: Treat patients across a wide range of ages, diagnoses, functional goals, and activity levels while developing expertise in postoperative rehabilitation, musculoskeletal care, and return to activity.

Aquatic Therapy Development: Gain exposure to a dedicated warm-water therapy pool and develop aquatic rehabilitation competencies with mentorship from experienced colleagues. Aquatic experience is valued, but a motivated clinician can learn.

Collaborative Wellness Center Setting: Practice within a facility offering comprehensive exercise and fitness resources, supporting functional rehabilitation and appropriate transitions to independent physical activity.

Mentorship & Professional Growth: Learn with experienced orthopedic, sports, and aquatic therapists; pursue continuing education, clinical teaching, specialty certification, and advancement opportunities as eligible under UNC Health policies.

Comprehensive Benefits: Eligible full-time teammates have access to competitive and equity-aligned compensation, medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, retirement options, wellness resources, and educational assistance, subject to applicable plan and program requirements.

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 professional physical therapy experience required. New graduates are encouraged to apply.

- Experience or clinical interest in outpatient orthopedics, sports rehabilitation, postoperative care, geriatrics, or therapeutic exercise is preferred.

- Experience in aquatic physical therapy OR a strong interest and willingness to develop aquatic rehabilitation skills through training and mentorship. Prior aquatic therapy experience or specialty certification is not required.

Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities Requirements:

- Sound foundational examination, clinical reasoning, individualized treatment planning, and patient education skills.

- Willingness to learn safe aquatic therapy practices, pool protocols, and water-based therapeutic exercise and to demonstrate applicable competencies before independently providing aquatic services.

- Effective communication, interdisciplinary collaboration, documentation, organizational, and time-management skills.

- Ability to care for a broad outpatient orthopedic and sports rehabilitation population, seek consultation when appropriate, and adapt care to individual patient needs.

- Commitment to evidence-based, patient-centered practice, professional learning, teamwork, and quality improvement.

Legal Employer: STATE

Entity: UNC Medical Center

Organization Unit: ACC Physical Therapy

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 applicant.accommodations@unchealth.unc.edu if you need a reasonable accommodation to search and/or to apply for a career opportunity.