Inpatient Therapist Jobs
Inpatient therapist jobs are open across hospitals, psychiatric facilities, behavioral health centers, and residential treatment programs, at every level from new-grad to senior clinician, with specializations in substance use, trauma-focused care, and crisis intervention. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?
Rehabilitation Services at Northwestern Medicine is a collaborative, multi-disciplinary team within our growing, nationally recognized health system that provides world-class care at 10 hospitals and more than 200 locations in communities throughout Chicago, the suburbs and northern Illinois. Together with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, we are pushing boundaries in innovative care delivery, training the next generation of rehabilitation specialists, and pursuing excellence in patient care.
Rehabilitation Services values building relationships with our patients and their families, understanding the needs of our clinical and non-clinical staff, and providing opportunities for professional development, mentorship, and program development. Our integration with hospitals and clinics across Northwestern Medicine make it possible for us to serve more patients, closer to where they live and work. While each of our locations has a unique story, Rehabilitation Services at Northwestern Medicine is unified under one mission – Patients First.
Job Description
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.
Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy.
Licensure:
- Licensed Physical Therapist in State of Illinois
Certification:
- BLS from American Heart Association upon hire
Preferred:
- Masters or Doctoral Degree in Physical Therapy
Additional Information
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 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.
At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?
Rehabilitation Services at Northwestern Medicine is a collaborative, multi-disciplinary team within our growing, nationally recognized health system that provides world-class care at 10 hospitals and more than 200 locations in communities throughout Chicago, the suburbs and northern Illinois. Together with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, we are pushing boundaries in innovative care delivery, training the next generation of rehabilitation specialists, and pursuing excellence in patient care.
Rehabilitation Services values building relationships with our patients and their families, understanding the needs of our clinical and non-clinical staff, and providing opportunities for professional development, mentorship, and program development. Our integration with hospitals and clinics across Northwestern Medicine make it possible for us to serve more patients, closer to where they live and work. While each of our locations has a unique story, Rehabilitation Services at Northwestern Medicine is unified under one mission – Patients First.
Job Description
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.
Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy.
Licensure:
- Licensed Physical Therapist in State of Illinois
Certification:
- BLS from American Heart Association upon hire
Preferred:
- Masters or Doctoral Degree in Physical Therapy
Additional Information
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 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.
Inpatient Therapist Jobs by Experience Level
See All 714+ Inpatient Therapist Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Inpatient Therapist JobsInpatient Therapist Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Kaiser Permanente32
- Ascension23
- Advocate Aurora Health18
- HonorHealth16
- Brooks Rehabilitation14
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services81
- Education3
- Insurance3
- Technology & Software1
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals1
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in inpatient therapist jobs.
- Master's degree in counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy, or psychology
- Active state licensure at the clinical level such as LCSW, LPC, LMFT, or equivalent
- Experience conducting individual and group therapy in an inpatient or acute care setting
- Proficiency with electronic health record documentation under inpatient charting standards
- Training in crisis intervention, de-escalation techniques, or applied behavioral analysis
- Ability to complete clinical assessments and treatment plans within required timeframes
Tips for Your Inpatient Therapist Job Search
Tailor your resume for inpatient settings
Highlight direct inpatient hours separately from outpatient experience. Hiring managers in acute and residential settings want to see your comfort with crisis stabilization, treatment planning under supervision ratios, and documentation in electronic health records.
List every active licensure clearly
Put your credential level, issuing state, and expiration date in a dedicated header or summary line. Inpatient roles frequently require licensure verified before an offer is extended, so ambiguity about LCSW, LPC, LMFT, or associate status slows you down.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists inpatient therapist openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target your search by facility type
Filter for acute psychiatric units, long-term residential programs, or detox facilities rather than searching generically. Each setting has different acuity expectations, documentation systems, and shift structures, so matching your background to the facility type raises your callback rate.
Prepare for competency-based interview questions
Inpatient interviews almost always include scenario questions on de-escalation, involuntary holds, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Practice walking through a specific situation with a clear outcome, not a hypothetical answer, before the call.
Negotiate start date around license transfer timelines
If you're moving states, verify reciprocity or endorsement processing time before accepting an offer with an aggressive start date. Many inpatient employers have a hard credentialing deadline and will rescind if your license isn't active in time.
Inpatient Therapist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most inpatient therapists?
Kaiser Permanente, Ascension, and Advocate Aurora Health are hiring the most inpatient therapists right now, with openings concentrated in Texas, California, and Florida, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand tends to be highest at health systems operating multiple psychiatric units and at national behavioral health networks.
How many inpatient therapist jobs are remote?
About 14% of inpatient therapist openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most inpatient clinical work. The sub-areas most likely to offer remote or telehealth components are discharge planning, utilization review, and virtual group facilitation within partial hospitalization programs.
How do you become an inpatient therapist?
You need to earn a master's degree in a clinical field such as counseling, social work, or marriage and family therapy, then complete your state's supervised hours requirement for licensure. After passing the relevant licensing exam, you apply to inpatient or acute care settings directly. Some employers hire pre-licensed associates under supervision, so you don't always need full licensure before your first inpatient role.
Can you get hired as an inpatient therapist with little experience?
Yes, some inpatient facilities hire candidates at the associate or pre-licensed level if they have relevant practicum or internship hours in a clinical setting. Highlighting any crisis intervention training, inpatient rotations, or psychiatric unit exposure from your graduate program makes a real difference. Residential treatment programs and state-funded psychiatric facilities are often the most open to newer clinicians compared to private hospital systems.
What does the inpatient therapist interview process look like?
Most inpatient therapist interviews include an initial phone screen with HR, followed by a clinical interview with a supervisor or treatment team lead that focuses on how you handle high-acuity situations. You'll likely be asked to walk through your approach to safety assessments and treatment planning. Some employers also include a facility tour or a brief meeting with the interdisciplinary team before an offer is made.
Where can I find and apply to inpatient therapist jobs?
You can find and apply to inpatient therapist jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search for roles that match your license level, specialty, and preferred facility type, then apply directly to each listing that fits your background.
See All 714+ Inpatient Therapist Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Inpatient Therapist Jobs