Acute Care Physical Therapist I

Company: UNC Health
Location: Chapel Hill
Posted on: March 15, 2026

Job Description:

Description Become part of an inclusive organization with over 40,000 teammates, whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of the unique communities we serve. UNC Hospitals Rehabilitation Services is accepting applications for a full-time Acute Care Physical Therapist I position. Supporting our Enhanced Rehabilitation program in the acute hospital setting, the PT I will provide comprehensive consultations and therapeutic interventions to a diverse patient population with varying acuity levels. This person will collaborate directly with the interdisciplinary team to provide exceptional patient-centered care, facilitating functional improvement and discharge planning throughout care transitions. The selected candidate will serve as a stakeholder, assisting in the implementation and sustainment of unit-based care team models to optimize patient care outcomes and best practices. Excellent time management and communication skills are required for this fast-paced environment; clinical experience in acute care is strongly preferred. A strong work ethic and growth-oriented mindset are essential characteristics for interested applicants. Why UNCH? UNC Hospital has been recognized as a leader in patient experience, providing evidence-based care to patients from a broad geographic area throughout North Carolina. The hospital offers extensive employee incentives, which include competitive benefits and PTO accrual, health reimbursement arrangements, employee discounts, well-being programs, employee assistance programs, tuition reimbursement, legal planning, and retirement planning. Additionally, teammates will receive comprehensive orientation and mentoring, continuing education and specialty certification funds, professional development opportunities, and more. Summary: This is professional level work involving the evidence- based evaluation of patient disabilities, planning, and administration of physical therapy treatments. Incumbents complete documentation instruct patients, families, and students and participate in clinical program development and management. Clinician is expected to have involvement in the areas of continuing education, departmental and community activities, outreach education and role of preceptor to students. Responsibilities: 1. Diagnostic Testing - Administers basic & complex diagnostic tests and evaluations in the area of Physical Therapy for the treatment of mobility disorders and related impairments 2. Education - Teach & supervise graduate Physical Therapy students and/or clinical fellows/residents. Develops or contributes to innovative programs to enhance patient care. Serves as resource consultant to other clinicians in respective specialty area. 3. Evaluation of Care - Analyzes results of diagnostic and or therapeutic testing to establish patient goals and or modify subsequent treatment programs. Identifies expected patient outcomes. Communicates relevant information to promote continuity of care. 4. Implementation Selects and applies current and advanced techniques to provide quality and efficient rehabilitative services. Provides habilitation/rehabilitation and maintenance of persons with mobility related impairments. Organizes and prioritizes care according to patient/family needs. 5. Outreach/Community Involvement-Serves as resource to North Carolina government departments and statewide health professionals in specialty areas. Presents at local (university/hospital) or state level, participates in community health screening and events. Participates in the development of new clinical programs to meet emerging needs in conjunction with the clinical specialist and/or department director. 6. Participation - Contributes to quality of clinical services through attendance and participation in departmental meetings and in-services. 7. Quality-Contributes to quality of clinical services through maintenance of valid & reliable records of patient procedures & progress. Participates in quality improvement initiatives with the clinical specialist and other healthcare professionals. Participates in continuous quality improvement efforts in conjunction with the department director. 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 Professional Experience Requirements: ? No prior experience required. Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities Requirements: Job Details Legal Employer: STATE Entity: UNC Medical Center Organization Unit: 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 their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. 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.

Keywords: UNC Health, Durham , Acute Care Physical Therapist I, Healthcare , Chapel Hill, North Carolina