Orthopedic Physical Therapist

Purple Cow Recruiting; Dubuque (IA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based bonus opportunities

Shockwave therapy training provided

Flexible scheduling

Job summary

Heartline Staffing, in partnership with Purple Cow Recruiting, seeks an experienced Orthopedic Physical Therapist for a leadership role in Dubuque, IA. This position blends direct patient care with program development, clinical leadership, and community outreach to grow an orthopedic and regenerative rehabilitation service line.

The role emphasizes one-on-one patient care, cash-based practice benefits, and a path to ownership and program growth within a supportive clinical team.

Qualifications

• Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree is required.
• Current Iowa Physical Therapy license or eligibility to obtain licensure is required.
• Strong orthopedic PT background with experience evaluating and treating orthopedic conditions.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the orthopedic and regenerative rehabilitation service line.
• Evaluate and treat orthopedic patients with evidence-based techniques.
• Mentor staff and collaborate with the clinical team to grow the program.

Skills

Orthopedic PT background

Manual Therapy

Therapeutic Exercise

Return-to-Activity/Return-to-Sport

Patient Education & Communication

One-on-One Care

Regenerative Rehabilitation Interest

Leadership/Program Development

Education

DPT Degree

Iowa Licensure Eligible

Tools

Shockwave Therapy Equipment

Job description

Orthopedic Physical Therapist – Leadership Opportunity | Dubuque, IA

Full-Time | 4–5 Days per Week | Outpatient Orthopedics

One-on-One Patient Care | Approximately 7–8 Patients per Day

Elizabeth Banzhaf, LPN

Co-Founder & COO | Heartline Staffing

Call or Text: 272-230-3157

Heartline Staffing, in partnership with Purple Cow Recruiting, is seeking an experienced Orthopedic Physical Therapist for a unique opportunity in Dubuque, Iowa. This role is designed for a motivated PT who wants more than a traditional clinical position and is excited about the opportunity to help develop and lead a growing orthopedic and regenerative rehabilitation program.

Elizabeth Banzhaf, LPN

Co-Founder & COO | Heartline Staffing

LinkedIn: View Elizabeth's LinkedIn

Prefer a quick conversation? Call or text Elizabeth directly.

Position Overview

The Orthopedic Physical Therapist will evaluate and treat orthopedic patients while helping develop the practice's orthopedic and regenerative rehabilitation service line. The position combines direct patient care with program development, clinical leadership, community outreach, and implementation of innovative rehabilitation techniques.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the orthopedic and regenerative rehabilitation service line
• Evaluate and treat patients with orthopedic conditions
• Utilize evidence-based orthopedic rehabilitation techniques
• Provide hands-on manual therapy
• Develop individualized therapeutic exercise programs
• Create return-to-activity and return-to-sport rehabilitation programs
• Establish clinical protocols and best practices
• Help integrate regenerative rehabilitation techniques into patient care
• Participate in the development of shockwave treatment protocols
• Mentor support staff and collaborate with the clinical team
• Maintain accurate electronic clinical documentation
• Build relationships with healthcare providers and community referral sources
• Participate in educational events, networking, and referral development
• Help grow the orthopedic rehabilitation program and patient base
• Maintain a high-quality, patient-centered clinical experience

A Different Approach to Patient Care

This practice is structured around quality rather than volume. Clinicians provide extended one-on-one treatment sessions and typically see approximately 7–8 patients per day.

The cash-based model minimizes traditional insurance-driven administrative requirements and allows the therapist greater autonomy in determining appropriate treatment plans and progression based on individual patient needs.

Orthopedic & Sports Rehabilitation

Strong candidates should be comfortable treating orthopedic conditions and helping active patients safely progress toward their functional goals. Relevant experience may include:

• Orthopedic Evaluation and Treatment
• Manual Therapy
• Therapeutic Exercise
• Functional Rehabilitation
• Return-to-Activity Programming
• Return-to-Sport Rehabilitation
• Strength and Mobility Progression
• Patient Education
• Individualized Home Exercise Programs
• Outcome Tracking

Regenerative Rehabilitation

The practice is developing regenerative rehabilitation services, including the use of emerging treatment technologies such as shockwave therapy. Prior shockwave experience is not required. Candidates should have an interest in regenerative therapies and a willingness to learn; training will be provided.

Program Development & Leadership

This opportunity is particularly well suited for a Physical Therapist who wants ownership and influence over the growth of a specialty service line. The therapist will help establish clinical protocols, contribute to best practices, support program development, mentor team members, and participate in community outreach and referral development.

Schedule

• Full-Time Preferred
• 4–5 Days per Week
• Flexible Scheduling Available for the Right Candidate
• Occasional Evening or Weekend Community Events

What makes this opportunity different

• True One-on-One Patient Care
• Approximately 7–8 Patients per Day
• Cash-Based Practice Model
• High Degree of Clinical Autonomy
• Opportunity to Build and Lead a Specialty Program
• Innovative Regenerative Rehabilitation Focus
• Shockwave Therapy Training Provided
• Collaborative and Supportive Clinical Team
• Professional Development and Mentorship
• Performance-Based Bonus Opportunities
• Limited Relocation Assistance Available

Requirements

• Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Degree REQUIRED
• Current Iowa Physical Therapy License OR Eligibility to Obtain Iowa Licensure REQUIRED
• Strong Orthopedic Physical Therapy Background REQUIRED
• Experience Evaluating and Treating Orthopedic Conditions REQUIRED
• Confidence with Return-to-Activity and/or Return-to-Sport Rehabilitation REQUIRED
• Evidence-Based Orthopedic Treatment Experience REQUIRED
• Manual Therapy Experience REQUIRED
• Therapeutic Exercise Programming Experience REQUIRED
• Strong Patient Education and Communication Skills REQUIRED
• Ability to Provide High-Quality One-on-One Patient Care REQUIRED
• Interest in Regenerative Rehabilitation Techniques, Including Shockwave Treatment REQUIRED
• Ability to Work On-Site in Dubuque, IA REQUIRED
• Approximately 3 Years of Clinical Experience Preferred
• Program Development or Clinical Leadership Experience Preferred
• Experience Treating Active Adult or Athletic Populations Preferred
• Community Outreach / Referral Development Experience Preferred

Experience Note

The position is listed at the Associate level with three years of experience identified in the posting information. Candidates should demonstrate a strong orthopedic background and confidence treating orthopedic patients, particularly those progressing toward return to activity or sport.

Iowa License Note

Candidates do not necessarily need to already hold an Iowa Physical Therapy license at initial screening. The employer explicitly accepts candidates who are eligible to obtain Iowa licensure. Out-of-state candidates should therefore be evaluated for licensure eligibility and relocation feasibility rather than automatically rejected.

Shockwave Experience

Prior shockwave therapy experience is NOT required. The candidate must be interested in regenerative therapies and willing to learn; training will be provided.

Leadership Note

This position provides an opportunity to develop and lead an orthopedic and regenerative rehabilitation service line. Formal people-management experience is not stated as a requirement. Candidates with program development, clinical leadership, mentoring, protocol development, or service-line growth experience should be strongly considered.

Not ready to apply? If you are an Orthopedic Physical Therapist interested in one on‑one patient care and the opportunity to help build a specialty rehabilitation program, call or text Elizabeth directly at 272-230-3157.