Senior Physical Therapist- Inpatient Clinical Locomotor Specialist

Department:
Legs + Walking Lab Therapy

Type of employment:
Full time

Shift:

Job Description: Clinical Locomotor Specialist (Physical Therapist)


Position Summary
The Clinical Locomotor Specialist is an advanced practice Physical Therapist devoted to optimizing gait rehabilitation within the inpatient rehabilitation setting. This role is ideal for clinicians who are passionate about gait analysis, evidence-based practice, emerging technology, and advancing the field of neurologic gait recovery through research, mentorship, and clinical innovation.


Key Responsibilities


Clinical Expertise in Gait Rehabilitation

• Conduct expert assessment of gait impairments across a wide range of neurologic and medically complex diagnoses.

• Implement evidence-based gait training interventions tailored to patient-specific needs.

• Perform orthotic assessments and guide prescription decisions in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team.

• Integrate knowledge of diagnosis-specific prognosis for locomotor recovery to inform goal setting, plan of care development, and intervention selection.

Technology Integration & Clinical Innovation

• Develop hands-on expertise with advanced gait training technologies, including:

• Robotic gait training systems

• Virtual reality-based rehabilitation tools

• AI-supported clinical decision-making platforms

• Provide clinical insights to support product development, refinement, and optimization of gait training technologies.

• Lead or contribute to initiatives that drive innovation in locomotor training and technology-enhanced rehabilitation.

Research, Knowledge Translation & Collaboration

• Actively participate in clinical research, quality improvement projects, and data-driven outcome evaluation.

• Support knowledge translation within the organization and at the profession-wide level through presentations, publications, and resource development.

• Foster strong clinical collaboration across multidisciplinary teams to promote excellence in gait rehabilitation.

Mentorship & Education

• Provide mentorship through our comprehensive gait mentoring program.

• Teach and support skill development for internal staff and external learners through our academies, emphasizing neurologic gait training.

• Serve as a role model and clinical resource for best practices in locomotor recovery.

Qualifications & Preferred Experience

• Required: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) or equivalent; active state licensure as a Physical Therapist.

• Preferred: ABPTS Board Certification in Neurologic Physical Therapy (NCS), though not required.

• Knowledge and experience in:

• Early mobilization for individuals with complex neurologic conditions

• Evidence-based gait rehabilitation practices

• Body-weight-supported gait training modalities (treadmill and overground systems)

• Experience with robotic or technology-assisted gait training is preferred but not required; training opportunities provided.

Opportunities with This Role

• Deepen expertise with cutting-edge technologies in gait rehabilitation.

• Contribute to the development and evolution of robotics, VR-based systems, and AI-informed clinical tools.

• Engage in impactful research and help shape the future of neurologic gait training practices.

• Grow as an educator through structured teaching and mentoring roles.

• Influence program-level and organization-wide clinical decision-making in locomotor recovery.

Pay and Benefits*:

Pay Range: $82,800.00 annually - $120,000.00 annually

Compensation is based on experience, qualifications, and internal equity.

Benefits:

• Generous Paid Time Off: Up to 25 days of PTO plus 6 holidays per year to recharge, travel, and focus on what matters most.
• Professional Growth & Learning: Continuing education and approved CEUs for PT/OT/SLP, plus 50% reimbursement (up to $1,000) for advanced certifications.
• Tuition Assistance : Up to $5,250 annually in tuition reimbursement to support your next degree.
• Career Advancement: Opportunities to grow within clinical/research specialties and leadership pathways across SRAlab's integrated care teams.
• Wellness + Balance: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage, robust wellness and mental health support.
• Recognition + Rewards: Annual merit-based pay reviews and opportunities for differential pay for evening/weekend shifts.
• Loan Forgiveness Eligibility: Qualify for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
• Mission-Driven Work: Be part of a team that transforms lives.

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab offers a comprehensive benefits program that is competitive with our industry peers in our geographic locations:

Job Description Summary
A Senior Physical Therapist is committed to excellence in the profession of Physical Therapy, demonstrated by clinical expertise and contributions to the organization. A Senior Physical Therapist implements evidenced based care at the department level, to promote optimal patient outcomes.


The Senior Physical Therapist consistently demonstrates support of the SRALab statement of Mission and Vision by striving for excellence, contributing to the team efforts and showing respect and compassion for patients and their families, fellow employees, and all others with whom there is contact at or in the interest of the organization.

The Senior Physical Therapist excels in the SRALab Core Attributes: Communication, Accountability, Flexibility/Adaptability, Judgment/Problem Solving, Customer Service and SRALab Values (Hope, Compassion, Discovery, Collaboration, and Commitment to Excellence) while fulfilling job duties.

Job Description

The Senior Physical Therapist:

• In addition to performing all of the responsibilities of a Physical Therapist:
• Contributes to the production and dissemination of evidence-based practice at the organizational, state, or national level. These may include
• Completion of evidence based review of interventions or outcome measures.
• Creation and/or implementation of practice guidelines.
• Standardization of outcome measure collection/interpretation.
• Implementation of new practice standards at the department level.
• Performs professional presentations internally and reinforces practice priorities within the organization.
• Provides professional and/or clinical mentoring related to practice and documentation, for staff and students, driven by the needs of the organization.
• Contributes to performance management evaluations of staff physical therapists.
• Actively participates in professional organizations, such as
• Participates in state, national, or local meetings.
• Holds an office, board member, special interest group participant.
• Disseminates information or knowledge at the department or organizational level.

Reporting Relationships

• Reports directly to assigned Clinical Manager or Therapy Manager.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required

• Graduated from an accredited program with current license to practice.
• Licensed to practice in the State of Illinois. Current CPR certification required.
• Minimum of 3 years clinical experience required; at least 5 years clinical experience preferred.
• Maintains a clinical role of at least 0.4 FTE; and at least 0.5 FTE overall in the organization.
• Outstanding communication skills, with demonstrated ability to partner with physicians, patients and families in providing therapy and exchanging patient progress/condition information and to assign duties and orient/train subordinate professional, technical and support personnel.
• Proven in-depth conceptual knowledge in physical therapy.
• Ability to solve complex problems, demonstrating excellent critical thinking skills.
• Proven commitment to the profession of physical therapy.
• Confidently and efficiently predicts outcomes beyond a single episode of care and considers the long-term needs of the patient.
• Takes initiative to identify learning needs and resources. Follows through and shares information with peers in a timely manner.
• Transfers skills and knowledge confidently into unfamiliar situations and efficiently identifies new learning needs.
• Through the readings of scientific literature is able to identify current issues and trends in practice
• Demonstrates involvement in activities that contribute to the improvement of the unit/department/profession.
• Instills confidence in colleagues.
• Identifies systems or practice issues and potential solutions as part of professional role.

Working Conditions

• Normal office environment with little or no exposure to dust or extreme temperature.
• Some exposure to infectious diseases when working with patients.
• May include exposure to community, home, work, school and off-site clinic settings.
• May include Saturday and Sunday rotation work.
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds occasionally, to transfer and position patients.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunity without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, order of protection status, unfavorable discharge from military service, or any other characteristics protected by law.

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Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is an Affirmative Action Employer as required by law.