Physical Therapist I - Ambulatory Care Center

Physical Therapist I - Ambulatory Care Center

UNC Hospitals Rehabilitation Services is seeking a compassionate, motivated, and dedicated Physical Therapist I to join our multidisciplinary outpatient therapy team at the Ambulatory Care Center in Chapel Hill, NC.

This full-time position offers the opportunity to provide high-quality, evidence-based, patient-centered care across the orthopedic continuum, including postoperative rehabilitation, persistent pain management, work-related injuries, sports and recreational medicine, and geriatric care. This role is well suited for a physical therapist who is interested in developing strong outpatient orthopedic skills within a supportive academic medical center environment. No prior experience is required, though clinical interest or experience in outpatient orthopedics, sports medicine, or related areas is preferred.

Our clinic emphasizes personalized, one-on-one care with 45-minute treatment sessions, allowing therapists to build strong therapeutic relationships, provide individualized care, and make thoughtful clinical decisions that support optimal outcomes. This care model is one of the features many clinicians value when choosing to join our team.

This position serves a diverse patient population, including individuals from both typical and underserved communities. Clinicians treat patients across a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds, including patients who are socioeconomically disadvantaged and patients who are non-English-speaking, with a significant Spanish-speaking population. Experience working with diverse patient populations is valued, and fluency in Spanish is a plus but not required.

In addition to outpatient practice, there may be opportunities to provide coverage in our onsite short stay unit, where clinicians support patients in the immediate postoperative phase and assist with safe, efficient transitions home and into outpatient rehabilitation following orthopedic surgery. This exposure may be available based on the candidate's interest, clinical readiness, and operational needs.

Beyond direct patient care, the role offers opportunities for mentorship, professional development, continuing education, student teaching, quality improvement, community outreach, and clinical program development. This position is ideal for a clinician who wants to grow within outpatient orthopedics while contributing to meaningful patient care, team-based practice, and UNC Health's broader mission to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve.

One-on-One Patient Care: Provide 45-minute, individualized treatments that support personalized care, thoughtful clinical reasoning, strong therapeutic relationships, and meaningful patient outcomes.

Broad Orthopedic Experience: Work with a diverse orthopedic caseload that may include postoperative rehabilitation, persistent pain, sports and recreational injuries, work-related injuries, geriatric care, and complex musculoskeletal conditions.

Mentorship & Clinical Growth: Collaborate with experienced therapists, orthopedic physical therapy residents, clinical specialists, and interdisciplinary colleagues. Participate in mentorship, continuing education, in-service training, and professional development opportunities.

Academic Medical Center Environment: Practice within a collaborative UNC Medical Center setting that supports clinical learning, interdisciplinary care, evidence-based practice, and opportunities for long-term professional growth.

Community Impact: Serve a diverse patient population, including patients from underserved communities and individuals who face barriers related to language, transportation, food insecurity, housing insecurity, and access to care. Clinicians may also participate in outreach initiatives, community engagement, and service activities that support health equity and access to rehabilitation services.

• Patient Care: Provide comprehensive, evidence-based rehabilitative care to patients, encompassing patient assessment, evaluation, treatment, planning, and the associated administrative tasks. Deliver personalized, one-on-one care through 45-minute evaluations and treatments. Organize patient care while prioritizing the needs of patients and their families.
• Diagnostic Testing: Conduct both basic and complex diagnostic tests and evaluations, focusing on the treatment of mobility disorders and related impairments. Utilize a range of testing methods to accurately assess patient needs, identify impairments, and inform treatment options.
• Education: Provide education and supervision to graduate Physical Therapy students and/or clinical fellows/residents as appropriate. Develop or contribute to innovative patient care programs and act as a consultative resource for clinicians in your specialty area.
• Evaluation of Care: Analyze results from diagnostic and therapeutic testing to establish and modify patient goals and treatment programs. Focus on identifying expected patient outcomes and communicate key information to ensure continuity of care.
• Implementation: Employ current and evidence-based treatment techniques to offer high-quality, efficient rehabilitative services. Provide both habilitation and rehabilitation, and organize patient care while prioritizing the needs of patients and their families.
• Outreach & Community Involvement: Serve as a resource to North Carolina government departments and statewide health professionals in specialty areas as appropriate. Present at local university, hospital, state, or national conferences and patient outreach events as appropriate. Participate in community health screening and events. Collaborate with peers, clinical specialists, and departmental leaders to meet emerging needs and support the development of new clinical programs.
• Participation: Actively contribute to the quality of clinical services by participating in departmental meetings, in-service training, and team-based initiatives. Your involvement is important to maintaining high standards of care 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. Play a role in continuous quality improvement efforts.

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, though experience in outpatient orthopedics or sports medicine is preferred. Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities Requirements: Strong communication and time management abilities. Experience working with diverse patient populations, including those from underserved backgrounds, is highly valued. Fluency in Spanish is a plus but not required.