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

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

Residency opportunities:

Neurologic Physical Therapy Residency

Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency

Pediatric Physical Therapy Residency

Click here to begin your application:

Residency Information:

Resident spends more than half of their time providing clinical services to patients across 3 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 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 Residency Program.

Our admissions committee will be reviewing applications 4 times per year (Aug 1, Nov 1, Feb 1, May 1) with a floating start date based on program openings and applicant availability so get your application in soon. You must be in your final year of your DPT school program or currently licensed therapist to apply.

Mary Free Bed Summary

We have the great privilege of helping patients and families re-build their lives. It's extraordinarily meaningful work and the reason we greet the day with optimism and anticipation. When patients "Ask for Mary," they experience a culture that has been sculpted for more than a century. Our hallmark is to carefully listen to patients and innovatively serve them. This is true of every employee, from support staff and leadership to clinicians and care providers.

Mary Free Bed is a not-for-profit, nationally accredited rehabilitation hospital serving thousands of children and adults each year through inpatient, outpatient, sub-acute rehabilitation, orthotics and prosthetics and home and community programs. With the most comprehensive rehabilitation services in Michigan and an exclusive focus on rehabilitation, Mary Free Bed physicians, nurses and therapists help our patients achieve outstanding clinical outcomes. The growing Mary Free Bed Network provides patients throughout the state with access to our unique standard of care

Mission Statement

Restoring hope and freedom through rehabilitation.

Employment Value Proposition

At Mary Free Bed, we take pride in our values-based culture:

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Our Commitment to providing an inclusive environment for patients, families, staff, and community, through embracing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion T.O.G.E.T.H.E.R.
• Focus on Patient Care. A selfless drive to serve and heal connects all MFB employees.
• Clinical Variety and Challenge. An inter-disciplinary approach and a top team of professionals create ever-changing opportunities and activities.
• Family Culture. We offer the stability of a large organization while nurturing the family/team atmosphere of a small organization.
• Trust in Each Other. Each employee knows that co-workers can be trusted to make the right decision for our family, patients, staff, and community.
• A Proud Tradition. Years of dedicated, quality service to our patients and community have yielded a reputation that fills our employees with pride.

Age Specific Responsibility

Must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served in assigned department. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to age-specific needs and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures.

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 scientific inquiry project, and assisting with teaching responsibilities as assigned per program requirements. Presents scientific inquiry project findings in Grand Rounds upon completion of 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 behaviors 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; participates 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

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 recruitment@maryfreebed.com.

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.