Location & Practice Overview

This position is based within Northwestern Medicine’s telehealth physical therapy program and is designated 100% remote. The posting lists Chicago, Illinois as the organizational location. Team members must live in one of the approved states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, or Florida.

Care Delivery Model Dedicated telehealth physical therapy team
Organizational Setting Northwestern Medicine health system
Residency Requirement Must reside in IL, IN, IA, MO, WI, or FL
Position Type Full-time remote clinical role

Responsibilities

  • Maintain primary responsibility for each patient’s plan of care from initial evaluation through discharge, monitoring functional progress, safety, and outcomes.
  • Conduct evaluations and re-evaluations, choose appropriate modalities and protocols, and modify treatment according to patient response.
  • Complete timely documentation of evaluations, progress notes, and discharge summaries in the electronic medical record.
  • Collaborate with physical therapist assistants while retaining accountability for the overall plan of care.
  • Provide patient education matched to individual understanding and motivation; participate in departmental teaching, committees, and process-improvement activities.
  • Support student clinical education or observation experiences when assigned and manage non-clinical tasks such as coverage notes within required timelines.

Qualifications & Requirements

All candidates must meet the minimum education, licensure, and certification standards. Orthopedic clinical strength is required; digital-care and selected specialty experience are preferred.

Education
Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy required; Master’s or Doctoral degree preferred
Licensure
Current Physical Therapist license in the State of Illinois
Certification
BLS certification from the American Heart Association upon hire
Required Clinical Strength
Strong orthopedic clinical skills
Preferred Background
Experience with synchronous and asynchronous digital therapy; vestibular, gait, or balance disorders

Compensation & Benefits

The original posting does not list a specific salary. Estimated range is drawn from current Northwestern Medicine physical therapist pay scales for comparable full-time roles in the Chicago market. Final offer depends on experience and internal equity.

  • Estimated annual compensation: $85,000–$110,000
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Student loan repayment / forgiveness support
  • 401(k) matching
  • Lifecycle benefits package

Schedule & Work Environment

Status Full-time
Work Arrangement 100% remote
Schedule Flexibility May need to adjust hours or assignment for patient needs or department meetings
Productivity Expectation Must meet department productivity standards

Patient Population & Clinical Setting

Patients receive physical therapy exclusively through telehealth platforms. The primary clinical population involves orthopedic conditions. Clinicians with additional experience may also see individuals presenting with vestibular, gait, or balance concerns.

Primary Population Patients with orthopedic conditions suitable for virtual care
Secondary Interest Areas Vestibular, gait, and balance disorders
Encounter Type Synchronous and asynchronous digital visits

Clinical Focus & Key Services

The clinical content of the role centers on orthopedic physical therapy delivered through digital platforms, with preferred capacity in selected specialty areas.

Core Clinical Area Orthopedic / musculoskeletal physical therapy
Delivery Formats Synchronous live sessions and asynchronous digital care
Preferred Specialty Areas Vestibular disorders, gait, and balance

Role Highlights

This opening is part of Northwestern Medicine’s effort to expand telemedicine physical therapy services and is structured entirely around remote care delivery.

  • Position exists specifically within the organization’s telehealth physical therapy expansion
  • Requires strong orthopedic foundation as a core expectation
  • Values prior experience delivering care through both synchronous and asynchronous digital formats
  • Combines clinical practice with teaching, committee work, and process-improvement contributions

About Northwestern Medicine

Northwestern Medicine is a nonprofit integrated health system based in the Chicago area. Its flagship is Northwestern Memorial Hospital. The system includes multiple hospitals and outpatient locations across northern Illinois and maintains an academic affiliation with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

Organization Type Nonprofit academic health system
Flagship Hospital Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago
Academic Affiliation Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Service Area Chicago metropolitan region and surrounding Illinois communities

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an Illinois physical therapist license required for this remote role?
Yes. A current Illinois Physical Therapist license is required even though the position is fully remote.
Which states are approved for employee residence?
Employees must reside in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, or Florida.
Is previous telehealth experience mandatory?
No. Experience with synchronous and asynchronous digital therapy is preferred, not required. Strong orthopedic clinical skills are required.
Does the role include any onsite clinic or home-visit requirements?
No. The posting states the position is 100% remote.
What level of orthopedic experience is expected?
Strong clinical skills in orthopedics are listed as a must. Additional experience in vestibular, gait, or balance disorders is preferred.
Are new graduates eligible to apply?
A bachelor’s degree in physical therapy meets the minimum education requirement. Candidates should demonstrate solid orthopedic skills and the ability to manage a full plan of care.

Physical Therapist Telehealth Full-Time in Chicago, IL

Northwestern Medicine is recruiting a full-time Physical Therapist for its telehealth physical therapy team. The role is 100% remote; clinicians must hold an Illinois PT license and live in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, or Florida. Strong orthopedic clinical skills are required. Preferred candidates bring experience delivering care through synchronous and asynchronous digital platforms and may also have background in vestibular, gait, or balance disorders. Daily work includes full ownership of the plan of care, evaluations, documentation in the electronic medical record, collaboration with PTAs, and patient education. Estimated compensation based on comparable Northwestern Medicine physical therapist roles is $85,000–$110,000 per year, with tuition reimbursement, student loan support, 401(k) matching, and lifecycle benefits. This position offers a structured remote practice setting within a large Illinois health system that is expanding its telemedicine physical therapy services.

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