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Physical Therapist - Inpatient/Acute Care

HSHS · Springfield, IL · $37.71–$56.57 an hour · Full time

Posted Jul 20, 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 a time your discharge recommendation differed from what the family or the physician wanted.

What they are checking: Whether they can defend a safety-based recommendation clearly while respecting the patient's wishes.

The posting says you'll delegate and direct therapy services. How do you work with PTAs and rehab aides on a busy acute floor?

What they are checking: Whether they delegate appropriately and stay responsible for the care others deliver under their plan.

How do you work with nursing so patients keep moving between your visits?

What they are checking: Whether they see mobility as a team effort, which affects length of stay and hospital-acquired weakness.

Tell me about a time you supervised a student. What did you do when they struggled?

What they are checking: Whether they can teach and give direct feedback, which the role lists as part of the job.

What would you do

You have more patients on your list than you can see today. How do you prioritize?

What they are checking: Whether they triage by discharge needs and medical urgency and communicate who will wait.

A patient's blood pressure drops and they become dizzy while standing during your session. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they respond safely to orthostatic changes and notify nursing promptly.

The weekend rotation is one weekend every eight weeks. How do you handle a weekend caseload when coverage is lighter?

What they are checking: Whether they can work efficiently and focus on priority patients with fewer colleagues around.

About the work

Walk me through how you decide whether a patient on the acute floor is safe to get out of bed for the first time.

What they are checking: Whether they check vitals, labs, lines and orders and recognize when mobility should wait.

What lab values or vital signs would make you hold or stop a therapy session?

What they are checking: Whether they know acute care safety parameters well enough to protect medically fragile patients.

How do you decide between recommending home with services, inpatient rehab, or a skilled nursing facility?

What they are checking: Whether they understand how functional level, support at home, and tolerance drive discharge placement.

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The full job description

As published by HSHS.

Pay Range: $37.71 - $56.57 A successful candidate's actual pay rate will be based on several factors including relevant experience, skills, training, certifications and education. HSHS St. John's Hospital is seeking a Physical Therapist to join our inpatient/acute care team. Ideal candidates will be prepared to evaluate all assigned patients and develops, implement, and execute on treatment plan as outlined by plan of care. Responsible for delegation and direction of all discipline-specific therapy services. Serve as an educator for patients, families, students, co-workers and self-professional advancement. Perform other professional duties associated with the care of patient, development of therapy program services, and engagement and development of interdisciplinary teams. Position Specifics: o Department: Physical Therapy o Core Function: Rehab/Therapy/Sleep o Schedule: Full time, Day shift, M-F 7:30am-3:30pm or 8am-4:30p, weekend rotation of once weekend every 8 weeks o Facility: St. John’s Hospital o Sign On Bonus: $25,000 o Location: Springfield, IL o Compensation aligned with your experience For more questions regarding this position, please contact Lauren Aman at lauren.aman@hshs.org. Education Qualifications • Graduate (e.g., bachelors, master, or doctorate) from an accredited program which meets the licensure requirements in the state of practice is required. Experience Qualifications • N/A Certifications, Licenses and Registrations • Licensed as a Physical Therapist in the state of practice is required. • Certified BLS or completion in the first 90 days of employment is required. • Illinois: Following physical therapy philosophies and standards of care set by Illinois Physical Therapy Act and other applicable governing agencies, licensure is required within 1 year for individuals meeting all other applicable requirements. Job Description Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 Throughout communities in Illinois and Wisconsin, 13 hospitals, numerous community-based health centers and clinics, our 13,000+ colleagues have built a culture based on our solid core values of respect, care, competence, and joy. These are the ideals we believe in, work by, and live each day. Built upon more than 145 years of service to the communities we serve, we now look to the future and our place in it as a health care system that strives to continually improve processes, procedures, and outcomes with the latest and most advanced technologies and treatments. Regardless of how far our passion for excellence carries us, our focus will always remain on the most important person in our entire organization: The patient. Benefits: HSHS provides a benefits package designed to support the overall well-being of our colleagues including their physical, emotional, financial, spiritual, and work health. Colleagues budgeted to work at least 32 hours per pay period are eligible for HSHS benefits. • Comprehensive and affordable health coverage includes medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage for full-time and part-time colleagues. • Paid Time Off (PTO) combines vacation, sick, and personal days into one balance to allow you the flexibility to use your time off as you need. • Retirement benefits including HSHS contributions. • Education Assistance benefits include up to $5,250 of educational assistance each calendar year and tuition discounts to select colleges with no waiting period. • Adoption Assistance provides financial support up to $7,500 for colleagues growing their families through adoption to reimburse application and legal fees, transportation, and more! • Other benefits include: Wellness program with incentives, employer-paid life insurance and short-term and long-term disability coverage, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance program, ID theft coverage, colleague rewards and recognition program, discount program, and more! Benefits HSHS and affiliates is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). HSHS is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace dedicated to pursuing and hiring a diverse workforce. Notice Regarding Potential Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Hiring Process Hospital Sisters may use automated tools, including artificial intelligence or machine-learning technologies, to assist with certain administrative aspects of the recruitment process. These tools may help our recruiting team organize applications, search for resumes, identify qualifications reflected in application materials, and facilitate communications or scheduling with applicants. Information used by these tools may include materials you provide during the application process, such as your resume, work history, education, qualifications, and responses to application questions. These tools are used only to support our recruiting process. Hiring decisions are made by HSHS personnel, and automated tools do not make employment decisions on behalf of HSHS. Applicants who have questions about this notice or who require a reasonable accommodation or alternative evaluation method may contact HSHS Human Resources at Contact@hshs.org

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