Duke Careers·Durham, North Carolina
The Physical Therapist provides physical therapy services to patients with impairments or functional limitations resulting from injury or disease, while also offering prevention and wellness services. A senior therapist acts as a resource, participating in the orientation of new staff and teaching activities for students.
At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.
Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of the four Duke Healthhospitals with 1062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.
Duke University Health System supports a team of over 9,000 employees dedicated to providing excellence and innovation in patient care, research, and education. Our Mission is to put the person who needs our care at the center of everything we do. Our Vision is to discover, develop and deliver a healthier tomorrow and our Core Value is caring for our patients, their loved ones and each other.
Presently our Women’s Health and Oncology physical therapy team consists of 35+ physical therapists, many of whom are board certified in women’s health or oncology. We provide care at fifteen different locations within 30 miles of Durham. We are seeking physical therapists to help us expand our services in the Triangle area.
We are presently offering 24 weeks of mentorship for all of our new employees. The mentors are board certified therapists who are very familiar with the caseload and the health system. Our department is very supportive of continuing education with a wide variety of opportunities both internal and external to our health system. Applicants should enjoy working in a collaborative environment with our medical team and other rehabilitation professionals.
Provide physical therapy services to patients /clients who have impairments, functional limitations, disabilities, or changes in physical function and health status resulting from injury, disease, or other causes; provide prevention and wellness services, including screenings and health promotion. The senior serves as a resource person for the team and the department: participates in orientation of new staff therapists, physicians and other health personnel. The senior participates in teaching activities for physical therapy and other health related students. The physical therapist works within practice guidelines as defined by North Carolina state law.
Work Performed
Demonstrate sound clinical reasoning in synthesizing complex evaluation data, identifying diagnoses, and developing comprehensive plans of care.
Collaborate with patients and families to create and update appropriate plans of care, setting measurable short- and long-term goals and establishing discharge plans, all tailored to the individual’s age, lifestyle, and needs.
Understand and integrate the role of physical therapy in the context of the patient’s total needs, environment, and age-specific considerations.
Exhibit age-appropriate competency skills relevant to the patient’s individual conditions.
Follow established intervention protocols and adjust the plan of care as needed.
Discharge patients when goals are achieved or when services are no longer medically necessary, with provisions for follow-up or continuing care as required.
Maintain competency in evaluations specific to your area of practice.
Consistently meet patient care productivity standards as defined for the role.
Work collaboratively with supervisors and peers to optimize team productivity.
Effectively utilize support personnel (aides, senior aides, assistants) as available and appropriate.
Actively participate in patient coverage across all divisions within the department as necessary.
Assess the learning needs and capacities of patients and caregivers, initiating education in a timely manner based on readiness, emotional status, and length of stay.
Use appropriate educational methods and materials, monitor patient response, and adjust education plans accordingly.
Ensure patients and families understand when and how to access further interventions.
Complete timely, legible, and efficient documentation that meets departmental and professional standards.
Deliver clear, concise, and relevant oral reports.
Accurately perform required data collection within the specified time frame.
Consistently meet peer review standards.
Provide clinical education for students, taking 1-2 students for long-term clinical rotations (for therapists with >1 year experience). Adjust supervisory techniques based on individual student needs.
Participate in outreach and learning activities as requested, which may include in-services, generating referrals, and interacting with volunteers or visitors.
Contribute to research activities aimed at enhancing clinical outcomes.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Ability to push-pull, lift-carry, and transfer patients.
Level Characteristics: See Clinical Ladder administration document
Bachelor's degree or certification in physical therapy, with Master's or Clinical Doctorate in physical therapy preferred.
None beyond required education, although more experience may be preferred at times.
Degrees, Licensures, Certifications
Current Physical Therapist license in North Carolina
Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.
Candidates need a Bachelor's degree or certification in physical therapy, with a Master's or Clinical Doctorate preferred, and must possess a current Physical Therapist license in North Carolina. The role requires the ability to push, pull, lift, carry, and transfer patients.
Market context
In North Carolina, allied health laboratory roles typically see steady demand in hospitals, reference labs, and health systems that need certified staff for routine and specialized testing. These positions are competitive because employers often look for a bachelor’s degree, MT ASCP certification, and substantial clinical lab experience, with prior Medical Technologist experience preferred. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save research time, then confirm your certification and experience match before applying.
Nursing Care Assistant I-CNA Duke University Hospital Neuro Stepdown
Registered Nurse (Experienced RN) - Eye Center Operating Room - Duke University Hospital 40hrs
Outpatient Phlebotomy - Duke Primary Care Knightdale