Acute Care Physical Therapist, Zale Location

UT Southwestern; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PPO medical plan

Paid Time Off

Retirement Programs

Parental Leave Benefit

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

UT Southwestern Medical Center seeks a Physical Therapist to advance orthopedic care, supporting Same Day Discharge and Total Joint Replacement programs. You will work with orthopedic surgeons, nursing staff, and interdisciplinary teams while gaining cross-training exposure to transplant and ICU populations.

The role emphasizes clinical expertise, patient education, and discharge planning in a growing orthopedic service line within a hospital setting in Dallas.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy, eligible for Texas licensure.
• No experience required.
• CPR or BLS certification required; eligible for Texas licensure upon hire.

Responsibilities

• Apply therapeutic principles with sound clinical judgment and patient safety.
• Identify and document evaluation problems, set realistic goals and timelines.
• Design and adjust treatment plans based on goals and patient progress.
• Prepare for discharge with organized, timely equipment needs and resource planning.
• Foster teamwork through effective communication and collaborative attitude.
• Organize patient treatment times efficiently and maintain progress notes.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Independent worker

Team oriented

Basic computer knowledge

General patient care

Education

Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy

Texas PT licensure eligibility

CPR/BLS certification

Job description

WHY UT SOUTHWESTERN?

With over 75 years of excellence in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, UT Southwestern is committed to excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion. As a world-renowned medical and research center, we strive to provide the best possible care, resources, and benefits for our valued employees. Ranked as the No. 1 hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth according to U.S. News & World Report, we invest in you with opportunities for career growth and development to align with your future goals. Our highly competitive benefits package offers healthcare, PTO and paid holidays, on-site childcare, wage, merit increases and so much more. We invite you to be a part of the UT Southwestern team where you'll discover a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and a rewarding career!

BENEFITS

• PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
• 100% coverage for preventive healthcare-no copay
• Paid Time Off, available day one
• Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
• Paid Parental Leave Benefit
• Wellness programs
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
• Learn more about these and other UTSW employee benefits!

JOB SUMMARY

Elevate your therapy career in an environment where specialized orthopedic care meets broad acute care experience. At Zale, therapists play an important role in Same Day Discharge (SDD) and Total Joint Replacement (TJR), supporting patients through early mobility, postoperative recovery, education, and discharge planning.

You’ll collaborate closely with orthopedic surgeons, nursing, and interdisciplinary partners while developing expertise in a highly focused orthopedic setting. Through cross-training at CUH, you’ll also gain exposure to medically complex, transplant, neurosurgical, ICU, and other acute care populations. With a growing program and expanding surgeon coverage, this is an exciting opportunity to strengthen your clinical expertise while helping shape an evolving service line.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Required

• Education Bachelor's Degree Graduate from accredited physical therapy program at the Bachelor level and is eligible for licensure in the State of Texas.
• Experience No experience required
• Licenses and Certifications Active cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) Upon Hire or (BLS) BASIC LIFE SUPPORT course accredited by the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross (ARC) certification. Upon Hire (LPT) LIC PHYSICAL THERAPIST Eligible for licensure in the State of Texas Upon Hire

Preferred

• Experience 1 year New graduates welcome (1 yr. Experience preferred).

JOB DUTIES

• Has knowledge of therapeutic principles and practices good clinical judgment. Does not compromise the patient's or another's safety, while at the same time maximizes the patient's treatment potential.
• Identifies and records problems areas on evaluation. For each problem identified, projects reasonable goals with realistic time frames.
• Analyzes and designs treatment plans based on patient problems and goals. Determines if planned treatment is effective and progresses patient in a timely fashion.
• Prepares for patient discharge in an organized and efficient manner including timely and accurate submission of equipment needs. Displays good knowledge of patient's resources and needs.
• Fosters teamwork by treating all staff fairly, facilitating 2-way communication and having a collaborative attitude.
• Organizes patient treatment time efficiently.
• Records patient's progress in a concise, accurate, and timely fashion.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Independent worker, team oriented.
• Basic computer knowledge.
• General patient care skills with hospital experience

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Requirements

• Carrying
• Lifting
• Pushing
• Reaching
• Standing
• Walking

Working Conditions

• Clinical Setting
• Hospital Setting

Salary Information

Salary is commensurate with education, skills, and relevant experience.

SECURITY AND EEO STATEMENT

Security

This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.

EEO

UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.