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This position has closed. Northwestern Medicine removed this listing from their careers page on Oct 5, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Outpatient Orthopedic Physical Therapist Float Locations-Full-time

Northwestern Medicine · Warrenville, IL · Full time · Health Care Provider

Posted Sep 22, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 5, 2026

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time a patient was frustrated with their progress or with a scheduling problem. How did you handle it?

What they are checking: Service recovery skills, which the posting names directly, and staying calm when the frustration is aimed at them.

The posting says you'd be a role model for therapists and clinical interns. Tell me about a time you taught or mentored someone.

What they are checking: Whether they can explain their clinical reasoning to others, not just perform it themselves.

Tell me about a process improvement you suggested or worked on in a clinic.

What they are checking: Willingness to take part in departmental improvement, which the posting lists as part of the job.

What would you do

This is a float role across several outpatient clinics. How do you get up to speed fast when you walk into a clinic you haven't worked in for a few weeks?

What they are checking: Whether they can stay safe and productive in an unfamiliar clinic without leaning on the regular staff all day.

You pick up a patient mid-plan of care from a therapist who's out this week. What do you look at before you start, and when would you change their plan?

What they are checking: Respect for another clinician's plan balanced against owning the patient's care once they are yours.

You're running twenty minutes behind and your next patient is upset about waiting. What do you say?

What they are checking: Honest, timely updates to patients, which the posting names as an expectation alongside teamwork and patients first.

About the work

Walk me through how you'd evaluate a patient three weeks out from an ACL reconstruction.

What they are checking: Whether they know post-op protocols, tissue healing timelines and which findings should prompt a call to the surgeon.

A patient with chronic low back pain hasn't improved after six visits. What do you do next?

What they are checking: Whether they reassess and change course honestly instead of repeating a plan that is not working.

How do you decide when a patient with shoulder pain needs to be sent back to the physician instead of treated?

What they are checking: Screening for red flags and knowing the limits of physical therapy before harm is done.

How do you keep your documentation timely and defensible when you're seeing a full outpatient schedule?

What they are checking: Whether their notes support medical necessity and billing without falling behind or getting copied forward.

How do you build a home exercise program a patient will actually do?

What they are checking: Whether they think about adherence, simplicity and the patient's real life, not just the ideal program.

Practice this interview out loud.

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Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

The Physical Therapist reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards. • A licensed physical therapist who complies with the Code of Ethics/Standards of Practice as outlined by their professional organization and by the State of Illinois. • The position includes direct patient care, teaching, participation on appropriate committees and departmental process improvement. • Serves as a role model for all therapists and clinical interns in all aspects of professional, clinical, communication, education and leadership activities. Responsibilities: • Demonstrates the four NM values of teamwork, patients first, integrity, and excellence in daily work and interactions. • Presents a friendly, approachable, professional demeanor and appearance. • Provides accurate information and timely updates to patients and customers. Addresses questions and concerns promptly or identifies appropriate person and resources to do so. Provides directions to help patients and customers with finding their way. • Uses effective service recovery skills to solve problems or service breakdowns when they occur. • Maintains primary responsibility over patient plan of care through timely and consistent collaboration with treating PT/ PTA s. • Demonstrates teamwork by helping co-workers within and across departments. Communicates effectively with others, respects diverse opinions and styles, and acknowledges the assistance and contributions of others. • Uses organizational and unit/department resources efficiently. • Manages work schedule efficiently, completing tasks and assignments on time. • Contributes to opportunities and processes for continuous improvement. • Participates in efforts to reduce costs, streamline work processes, improve and grow services we provide. • Demonstrates creative problem solving and diversity when adapting the treatment to special circumstances as evidence by team feedback and documentation. • Demonstrates essential skill competencies in selecting the appropriate evaluation in the use of treatment modalities, equipment and protocols. Performs re-evaluations according to department guidelines, adjusting the treatment plan accordingly. Evidenced by chart review. • Assumes complete responsibility over the course of physical therapist patient management from the time of initial contact to discharge for functional progress, safety and treatment outcome as evidenced by team feedback and documentation. Maintains primary responsibility over patient plans of care through timely and consistent collaboration with treating PTA(s). • Adheres to department policy regarding evaluations, progress notes, and discharge summaries. All notes are documented in electronic medical record (EMR). • Completes daily notes that reflect patient’s response to treatment, actual performance, and an assessment as to status, relevant to the treatment plan and eventual discharge needs as evidenced by chart review, meeting all documentation requirements (e.g., allows other therapists to continue treatment, allows for interpretation by payers, supports reimbursement). • Provides educational materials and methods appropriate to the patient’s level of understanding and motivation as evidenced by chart review, observation and team feedback. • Participates in committees, department processes and special projects in accordance with clinical expertise and individual performance plan. • Works to develop and maintain professional relationships with members of healthcare teams (ex: physician, nurse, case manager). Participates in internal and external marketing per department expectations. • Creates a culture of respectful communication by listening, asking for team member input, open and honest conversation, approachability, and timely acknowledgement of individual and team contributions. • Accepts constructive feedback and can make timely changes as evidenced by written coaching forms/chart audits and team feedback. • Proactively completes non-patient care responsibilities within established timelines (coverage notes, PTO/schedule change requests, bonus pay (forms and follow up phone calls). • Contributes to educational efforts of department/clinic (e.g., in-services, journal clubs, new hire orientation, PI) as per department expectations. • Actively participates in student clinical or observation programs by serving as a clinical instructor, mentor, or observation host as per department expectations • Maintains productivity standards per department expectations • Demonstrates willingness to flex schedule or assignment to meet patient care needs, staff meetings and department specific meetings outside of normal work hours. Required: • Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy. • Licensed Physical Therapist in State of Illinois • BLS from American Heart Association upon hire Preferred: • Masters or Doctoral Degree in Physical Therapy • Dry Needling Experience or willingness to learn Dry Needling Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status. Background Check Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act. Artificial Intelligence Disclosure Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. Benefits We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Click on or copy and paste URL to your browser to view detailed benefits information NorthwesternMedicine Career Page https://jobs.nm.org/benefits Please refer to the Benefits Eligibility by Employment Classification to determine benefits eligibility for job postings. If sign-on bonus is included in a job posting eligibility is as followed: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign-on bonus. Exception : New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position as a Registered Nurse at NM may be eligible.