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Physical Therapist Outpatient Casual Day Shift Marianjoy

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

Posted Oct 5, 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 patient who stopped making progress. What did you notice, and what did you change?

What they are checking: Whether they reassess and adjust instead of repeating the same plan, which is the core of outpatient clinical reasoning.

The posting says you serve as a role model for therapists and clinical interns. Tell me about a time you taught or supervised a student and had to give them hard feedback.

What they are checking: Whether they can teach clinically and correct a learner directly while keeping patient care safe.

Tell me about a time you were part of a process improvement effort in a clinic. What was your piece of it?

What they are checking: Whether they contribute to how the department runs, which the posting lists as part of the job, not just treat patients.

How do you keep up with the Illinois practice act and your professional code of ethics when you work only occasionally?

What they are checking: Whether they own their licensure and standards even with limited hours, which matters for compliance in a casual role.

Tell me about a time a patient or family member was unhappy with their progress. How did you handle that conversation?

What they are checking: Whether they can set honest expectations and keep the relationship intact, which reflects the patients-first value the posting names.

What would you do

This is a casual day shift at about three percent FTE. How do you pick up a caseload from another therapist and give a patient a good session when you may only see them once?

What they are checking: Whether they can read a chart fast, respect the existing plan of care, and still treat with judgment instead of just running the last note.

A patient tells you their pain is a nine out of ten, but their movement and behavior don't match. How do you handle that session?

What they are checking: Whether they can respect the patient's report while still progressing care, without dismissing them or freezing the plan.

A patient shows up and seems confused and short of breath, which is new for them. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they recognize a red flag, stop treatment and escalate to the right person instead of pushing through the session.

About the work

Walk me through how you evaluate a new outpatient referral, from the first questions you ask to the goals you set.

What they are checking: Whether their exam is organized and tied to function, so the goals they write actually guide treatment and justify visits.

Marianjoy patients often come with neurologic or complex rehab histories. How do you adjust an outpatient session for someone recovering from a stroke compared with an orthopedic patient?

What they are checking: Whether they understand how neuro rehab differs in goals, pacing and safety from straightforward musculoskeletal care.

What do you document so that another therapist, the physician and the payer can all follow what happened and why?

What they are checking: Whether their notes support skilled care, medical necessity and handoff, since a casual therapist's notes are read by many people.

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The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

0.03FTE Non-exempt The Physical Therapist reflects the mission, vision, and values of NMHC, adheres to the organizations Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards. Position Summary: 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 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.

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