Physical Therapist - MSK/Orthopedic - PRN

Duke Careers; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke Health in Durham, NC is seeking a Physical Therapist with an MSK/Orthopedic focus for PRN coverage. You will provide physical therapy services to patients with injuries or functional limitations and participate in developing and updating comprehensive plans of care. Must hold a North Carolina PT license.

Bachelor's degree is required; a Master’s or Clinical Doctorate is preferred. This on-site role emphasizes collaboration across teams and opportunities to contribute to education and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in physical therapy.
• Master's or Clinical Doctorate in physical therapy preferred.
• Current Physical Therapist license in North Carolina.

Responsibilities

• Provide physical therapy services to patients with impairments and disabilities resulting from injury or disease.
• Collaborate with patients and families to develop and adjust plans of care with measurable goals.
• Document assessments, plans, and progress in a timely and legible manner.
• Teach and supervise students during clinical rotations as needed.
• Contribute to outreach, education, and research activities within the department.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy

Master's or Clinical Doctorate in Physical Therapy (preferred)

Job description

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Physical Therapist - MSK/Orthopedic - PRN

Work Arrangement:

Requisition Number: 256895

Regular or Temporary: Regular

Location: Durham, NC, US, 27710

Date: Jul 7, 2026

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 Duke Health's four hospitals 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

• Demonstrate sound clinical reasoning in synthesizing complex evaluation data, identifying diagnoses, and developing comprehensive plans of care.
• Collaborate with patients and families to create and update appropriate plans of care, setting measurable short- and long-term goals and establishing discharge plans, all tailored to the individual’s age, lifestyle, and needs.
• Understand and integrate the role of physical therapy in the context of the patient’s total needs, environment, and age-specific considerations.
• Exhibit age-appropriate competency skills relevant to the patient’s individual conditions.
• Follow established intervention protocols and adjust the plan of care as needed.
• Discharge patients when goals are achieved or when services are no longer medically necessary, with provisions for follow-up or continuing care as required.
• Maintain competency in evaluations specific to your area of practice.
• Consistently meet patient care productivity standards as defined for the role.
• Work collaboratively with supervisors and peers to optimize team productivity.
• Effectively utilize support personnel (aides, senior aides, assistants) as available and appropriate.
• Actively participate in patient coverage across all divisions within the department as necessary.
• Assess the learning needs and capacities of patients and caregivers, initiating education in a timely manner based on readiness, emotional status, and length of stay.
• Use appropriate educational methods and materials, monitor patient response, and adjust education plans accordingly.
• Ensure patients and families understand when and how to access further interventions.
• Complete timely, legible, and efficient documentation that meets departmental and professional standards.
• Deliver clear, concise, and relevant oral reports.
• Accurately perform required data collection within the specified time frame.
• Consistently meet peer review standards.
• Provide clinical education for students, taking 1-2 students for long-term clinical rotations (for therapists with >1 year experience). Adjust supervisory techniques based on individual student needs.
• Participate in outreach and learning activities as requested, which may include in-services, generating referrals, and interacting with volunteers or visitors.
• Contribute to research activities aimed at enhancing clinical outcomes.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

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

Current Physical Therapist license in North Carolina

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 onthe 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.

Essential Physical Job Functions: 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.

Nearest Major Market: Durham
Nearest Secondary Market: Raleigh

Read more about Duke's commitment to affirmative action and nondiscrimination at hr.duke.edu/eeo.