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Physical Therapist Asst-Inpatient Rehab Casual Days

Northwestern Medicine · Woodstock, IL · Part time · Health Care Provider

Posted Sep 17, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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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 teaching a student or a newer assistant.

What they are checking: The posting names serving as a role model for therapists and clinical interns.

Casual status with no benefits and no guaranteed hours at Woodstock. How does that fit your life?

What they are checking: The posting states the arrangement plainly.

What would you do

What would make you stop a treatment and go back to the therapist?

What they are checking: The scope boundary a PTA has to hold, and holding it keeps patients safe.

How do you get an inpatient moving when they are afraid to?

What they are checking: Fear stops more inpatient mobility than weakness does.

How do you help a patient who is not making the progress they hoped for?

What they are checking: Rehabilitation is slow and the assistant sees the frustration most.

This covers weekends as well as weekdays. What is different about a weekend on a rehab unit?

What they are checking: The posting states the role covers weekends and weekdays.

How do you settle into a caseload when you are not there every week?

What they are checking: Casual work means picking up patients mid-course.

About the work

Tell me about your work as a physical therapist assistant.

What they are checking: The posting is a PTA role on an inpatient rehab unit at Woodstock.

How do you work within a treatment plan a therapist has written?

What they are checking: A PTA carries out a plan they did not create.

How do you report back to the supervising therapist on how someone is doing?

What they are checking: The therapist's next decision depends entirely on what the assistant reports.

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The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

This is casual status - Casual/Registry status differs from full- and part-time statuses, Casual/Registry status positions are non-benefited, hours are not guaranteed, and your schedule is dependent on the department’s staffing needs and your availability. Full- and part-time status positions are benefited, hours are scheduled and guaranteed but workdays may vary (workdays may differ week to week). This position will cover weekends and weekdays, hours are not guaranteed. The Physical Therapy Assistant position reflects the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Medicine, 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 assistant who complies with the Code of Ethics/Standards of Practice as outlined by their professional organization and by the State of Illinois. • This 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. • 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 treatment modalities, equipment and protocols. Evidenced by chart review. • 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 JCAHO documentation requirements (e.g., allows other therapists to continue treatment, allows for interpretation by payers, supports reimbursement). • Demonstrates essential skill competencies in the use of treatment modalities, equipment and protocols. Adjusting the treatment plan accordingly and under the supervision of a licensed PT, evidenced by chart review. • Collaborates with PT to manage the course of PT from the time of initial contact to discharge for functional progress, safety, and treatment outcomes as evidenced by documentation and team feedback. • Adheres to department policy regarding documentation. All notes are entered into the electronic medical record. • 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 Minimum Requirements: Education: • Associates Degree in Physical Therapist Assistant Program Licensure: • Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant in the state of Illinois Certification: • BLS from American Heart Association upon hire 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. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more. Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position): 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 at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.

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