Physical Therapist Jobs in Durham, NC
Physical Therapist jobs in Durham, North Carolina concentrate in Research Triangle Park, Duke University Medical Center, and downtown Durham, with strong demand across hospital systems, outpatient orthopedic clinics, and long-term care facilities. Employers hiring right now include HiredFirst, Duke Health, and Broad River Rehab. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 40+ Physical Therapist jobs
At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.
About Duke University Hospital
Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of the four Duke Healthhospitals with 1062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.
Occ Summary
Provide physical therapy services to patients/clients who have impairments, functional limitations, disabilities, or changes in physical function and health status resulting from injury, disease, or other causes;provide prevention and wellness services, including screenings and health promotion. The senior serves as a resource person for the team and the department: participates in orientation of new staff therapists, physicians and other health personnel. The senior participates in teaching activities for physical therapy and other health related students. The physical therapist works within practice guidelines as defined by North Carolina state law.
Work Performed
Duties and Responsibilities of this Level: See Departmental criteria for each duty listed, and Departmental criteria for clinical ladder. Physical Therapist Demonstrate & articulate sound clinical reasoning in synthesizing complex evaluation data identifying diagnosis and developing a comprehensive plan of care. Develop and update appropriate plan of care in collaboration with the patient/family and related to the person's age and lifestyle with measurable long and short term goals and a defined D/C plan Understandthe role of physical therapy in the context of the patient's age, total needs perspective and environment Perform age appropriate competency skills in area of practice and with respect to individual patient's problems. Follow intervention protocols and alter plan of care appropriately. Discharge patient when goals have been met or medical necessity is no longer warrants intervention. Establish provisions for continuing services/follow up as needed. Meet competency skills for evaluations in area of practice. Consistently meet patient care productivity standard as established for job classification. Work cooperatively with supervisors and peers to contribute to the overall productivity of the team. Utilize support personnel (aides, sr aides, assistants) asappropriate and available. Actively support and participate in patient coverage efforts across all divisions within the department as necessary. Assess the learning needs and capabilities of patients and caregivers. Initiate patient and family education in a timely manner relative to age, LOS, readiness to learn, and emotional status. Utilize appropriate methods and materials for effective learning, monitoring response to education, and adapting program appropriately. Ensure that patient/family understands when and how to access further intervention. Patient care documentation is timely, legible, and efficient. Documentation is concise, pertinent and meets the professions and departments documentation standards. Oral reporting is clear, concise, relevant, and timely. Perform all required data collection for the department accurately and within expected time frame. Peer review standards are consistently met. Provide clinical education experiences for students as requested by supervisor and established by CCCE Take 1-2 students for long term clinical rotation (Therapist of > 1yr experience). Adjust supervisory techniques for individual student's needs. Provide outreach and learning activities as requested which may include: in-services on related topics, generating referrals, interacting with volunteers or visitors. Participate in data collection for research activities to enhance clinical outcomes. Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.
Knowledge, Skills andAbilities
Ability to push-pull, lift-carry, and transfer patients.
Level Characteristics
See Clinical Ladder administration document
Minimum Qualifications
Education
Bachelor's degree or certification in physical therapy, with Master's or Clinical Doctorate in physical therapy preferred.
Experience
None beyond required education, although more experience may be preferred at times.
Degrees, Licensures, Certifications
Must have a current Physical Therapist license. A Compact Physical Therapist license may be accepted, but a NC Physical Therapist license must be obtained within 6 months of the start date, or before the expiration of Compact Privileges, whichever comes first.
Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.
At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.
About Duke University Hospital
Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of the four Duke Healthhospitals with 1062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.
Occ Summary
Provide physical therapy services to patients/clients who have impairments, functional limitations, disabilities, or changes in physical function and health status resulting from injury, disease, or other causes;provide prevention and wellness services, including screenings and health promotion. The senior serves as a resource person for the team and the department: participates in orientation of new staff therapists, physicians and other health personnel. The senior participates in teaching activities for physical therapy and other health related students. The physical therapist works within practice guidelines as defined by North Carolina state law.
Work Performed
Duties and Responsibilities of this Level: See Departmental criteria for each duty listed, and Departmental criteria for clinical ladder. Physical Therapist Demonstrate & articulate sound clinical reasoning in synthesizing complex evaluation data identifying diagnosis and developing a comprehensive plan of care. Develop and update appropriate plan of care in collaboration with the patient/family and related to the person's age and lifestyle with measurable long and short term goals and a defined D/C plan Understandthe role of physical therapy in the context of the patient's age, total needs perspective and environment Perform age appropriate competency skills in area of practice and with respect to individual patient's problems. Follow intervention protocols and alter plan of care appropriately. Discharge patient when goals have been met or medical necessity is no longer warrants intervention. Establish provisions for continuing services/follow up as needed. Meet competency skills for evaluations in area of practice. Consistently meet patient care productivity standard as established for job classification. Work cooperatively with supervisors and peers to contribute to the overall productivity of the team. Utilize support personnel (aides, sr aides, assistants) asappropriate and available. Actively support and participate in patient coverage efforts across all divisions within the department as necessary. Assess the learning needs and capabilities of patients and caregivers. Initiate patient and family education in a timely manner relative to age, LOS, readiness to learn, and emotional status. Utilize appropriate methods and materials for effective learning, monitoring response to education, and adapting program appropriately. Ensure that patient/family understands when and how to access further intervention. Patient care documentation is timely, legible, and efficient. Documentation is concise, pertinent and meets the professions and departments documentation standards. Oral reporting is clear, concise, relevant, and timely. Perform all required data collection for the department accurately and within expected time frame. Peer review standards are consistently met. Provide clinical education experiences for students as requested by supervisor and established by CCCE Take 1-2 students for long term clinical rotation (Therapist of > 1yr experience). Adjust supervisory techniques for individual student's needs. Provide outreach and learning activities as requested which may include: in-services on related topics, generating referrals, interacting with volunteers or visitors. Participate in data collection for research activities to enhance clinical outcomes. Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.
Knowledge, Skills andAbilities
Ability to push-pull, lift-carry, and transfer patients.
Level Characteristics
See Clinical Ladder administration document
Minimum Qualifications
Education
Bachelor's degree or certification in physical therapy, with Master's or Clinical Doctorate in physical therapy preferred.
Experience
None beyond required education, although more experience may be preferred at times.
Degrees, Licensures, Certifications
Must have a current Physical Therapist license. A Compact Physical Therapist license may be accepted, but a NC Physical Therapist license must be obtained within 6 months of the start date, or before the expiration of Compact Privileges, whichever comes first.
Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.
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Find Physical Therapist JobsPhysical Therapist Job Market in Durham
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
Physical Therapist Jobs in Durham: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a physical therapist job in Durham?
Durham's strongest hiring comes from its major hospital systems, outpatient orthopedic clinics near Research Triangle Park, and the growing network of senior care and rehabilitation facilities in and around the city. Candidates with experience in sports rehab, neuro rehabilitation, or pediatric PT stand out here. Targeting Duke Health's affiliated outpatient sites or the cluster of orthopedic practices near Southpoint gives you the best starting point in this market.
Which companies hire physical therapists in Durham?
Employers hiring physical therapists in Durham right now include HiredFirst, Duke Health, and Broad River Rehab, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Durham's mix of academic medical centers, independent outpatient clinics, and senior living communities creates consistent demand across multiple employer types throughout the year.
Are there remote physical therapist jobs in Durham?
Yes, though remote opportunities are limited because most physical therapist roles require hands-on, in-person patient care. About 0% of physical therapist openings tied to Durham are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, with those positions typically involving telehealth consultations, care coordination, or clinical education roles rather than direct treatment.
How can I get a physical therapist job in Durham with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Durham is a PT aide or rehabilitation technician role at one of the city's outpatient orthopedic clinics or hospital-affiliated rehab departments, which regularly hire new graduates and career changers. Duke Health and the independent clinics near Durham's medical corridor frequently post residency and new-grad positions. Completing clinical rotations locally and pursuing board certification in a specialty such as orthopedics or neurology improves your competitiveness considerably.
Which industries hire the most physical therapists in Durham?
Most physical therapist openings in Durham sit in Healthcare & Medical Services, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Durham's concentration of academic medical institutions, a growing aging population in the Research Triangle, and an active sports and wellness community all sustain steady demand across those sectors.
Related Jobs in North Carolina
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