Physical Therapy Residency 2026-2027 (Neurological, Orthopedic, or Pediatrics)

Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation invites applicants to its 2026‑2027 Physical Therapy Residency program across Neurological, Orthopedic, or Pediatric tracks in Grand Rapids, MI. Residents work in outpatient departments with mentorship, evaluate patients, and develop individualized treatment plans while completing didactics and a scholarly project.

Admissions are reviewed quarterly, with start dates flexible by openings; candidates should be in their final year of DPT or a licensed therapist seeking

Qualifications

• Graduate of a CAPTE Accredited Physical Therapy Program and licensed to practice in Michigan.
• CPR certification maintained as part of department protocols.
• Membership in the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provides patient care within legal and regulatory scope.
• Evaluates patient condition and sets interdisciplinary treatment goals.
• Plans and executes individualized treatment programs.
• Re-evaluates progress and revises plans as needed.
• Documents patient status and progress per guidelines.
• Coordinates discharge planning with patient, family, and care team.

Education

CAPTE Accredited PT Program

Licensed in Michigan

CPR certification

APTA membership

Job description

Physical Therapy Residency 2026‑2027 (Neurological, Orthopedic, or Pediatrics)

Neurologic Physical Therapy Residency

Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency

Pediatric Physical Therapy Residency

Click here to begin your application: https://rfptcas.liaisoncas.com

Residency Information

Resident spends more than half the time providing clinical services to patients across three outpatient therapy departments (Orthopedic Rehabilitation Center, Spine Center, Pain Center) with mentorship from designated MFB clinical staff. Resident assumes full responsibility for evaluating patient’s need for physical therapy. Plans and executes individual treatment programs in accordance with the laws and regulations of the State of Michigan. Develops treatment skills through continuing education, mentoring meetings with physical therapy staff, physicians, and other clinicians.

Resident spends remaining time completing programmatic assigned didactics, conducting a scientific inquiry project and assisting with teaching responsibilities at Grand Valley State University as assigned per program requirements. Presents scientific inquiry project findings in Grand Rounds upon completion of the Residency Program.

Our admissions committee reviews applications four times per year (Aug 1, Nov 1, Feb 1, May 1) with a floating start date based on program openings and applicant availability. Apply while in your final year of your DPT program or as a currently licensed therapist.

Resident Summary

Resident spends more than half of their time providing clinical services to patients in their area of specialty with mentorship from MFB clinical staff. Assumes full responsibility for evaluating patient’s need for physical therapy. Plans and executes individual treatment programs in accordance with the laws and regulations of the State of Michigan. Develops treatment skills through continuing education, mentoring meetings with physical therapy staff, physicians, and other clinicians. Spends remaining time completing programmatic assigned didactics, conducting a scientific inquiry project, and assisting with teaching responsibilities as assigned per program requirements. Presents scientific inquiry project findings in Grand Rounds upon completion of the Residency Program.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Provides patient care.
• Staff will provide patient care, treatment, and services within the scope of their license, certification or registration and as required by law and regulation.
• Evaluates patient condition.
• Establishes treatment goals in collaboration with patient and family as appropriate, and in collaboration with the treatment team. Treatment goals should be interdisciplinary and patient-centered whenever possible. Establishes written treatment plan and administers treatment for each patient according to the stated goals. Delegates responsibilities to physical therapist assistants and rehabilitation technicians as appropriate.
• Re‑evaluates patient’s status and effects of treatment. Revises treatment plan as necessary. Reviews revised goals with patient and family as appropriate.
• Evaluates patient’s need for medical equipment and orders the appropriate equipment as necessary. Evaluates equipment upon delivery and instructs patient, patient’s family, and health‑care workers on its use.
• Participates in planning for patient discharge by considering and communicating with patient, family, community support/services and environmental limitations.
• Documents patient’s status and progress through initial evaluation, progress notes, and discharge summary according to established internal/external time standards and adherence to reimbursement guidelines.
• Communicates with others to integrate physical therapy treatment with all aspects of patient care.
• Participates in conferences/discussions and exchange of written records with other interdisciplinary team members to integrate physical therapy treatment plan.
• Instructs the patient and the family in physical therapy procedures as part of the home program. Provides written instructions as necessary.
• Instructs the visiting public, medical students, physicians, and other professionals in the methods of and objectives in area of expertise.
• Attends various meetings and in‑services as designated.
• Follows all hospital policy and procedures including but not limited to patient confidentiality and infection control.
• Adheres to the Mary Free Bed Standards of Behavior when working with patients, coworkers, and members of the community.
• Functions as a patient advocate and maintains patient confidentiality.
• Embrace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, by:

• Treating everyone with dignity and respect.
• Opening more doors to opportunities for underrepresented cultures.
• Growing talent and people.
• Evaluating and eliminating disparities.
• Taking action against injustices, bias and racism.
• Honoring our differences and how to collaborate.
• Educating staff, patients, and the communities we care for.
• Restoring Hope and Freedom, together.

Customer Service Responsibilities

Demonstrate excellent customer service and standards of behaviours as well as encourages, coaches, and monitors the same in team members. This individual should consistently promote teamwork and direct communication with co‑workers and deal discretely and sensitively with confidential information.

Responsibilities in Quality Improvement

Contribute by identifying problems and seeking solutions. Promote patient/family satisfaction where possible; participate in departmental efforts to monitor and report customer service.

Essential Job Qualifications

• Graduate of Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) Accredited Physical Therapy Program.
• Licensed in Michigan.
• Possesses and maintains CPR certification to meet department/program protocol.
• Membership in the American Physical Therapy Association, APTA.

Physical Requirements for Essential Job Qualification

Levels:

• None (No specific requirements)
• Occasionally (Less than 1/3)
• Frequently (1/3 to 2/3)
• Majority (More than 2/3)

Remain in a stationary position: Frequently

Traverse or move around work location: Majority

Use keyboard: None

Operate or use department specific equipment: None

Ascend/Descend equipment or ladder: None

Position self to accomplish the Essential Functions of the role: None

Receive and communicate information and ideas for understanding: None

Transport, position, and/or exert force:

Up to 10 pounds:

Up to 25 pounds:

Up to 50 pounds:

Up to 75 pounds:

More than 100 pounds: Majority

Other weight: Up to ___ pounds

Other: None

Accommodation Statement

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the Talent Acquisition team at [e-mail].

Mary Free Bed is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or other legally protected characteristic.