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Hebrew SeniorLife
Boston, Massachusetts

Exercise Therapist Per Diem

CounselorPer Diem

Listed compensation

$54k-$81k

The week · per this posting

Schedule not stated in this posting — no days, weekends, call or nights given.

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

Position Summary

The Exercise Therapist will provide exercise programming, guidance and motivation to HSL LTCH patients involved in the Circle of Fitness (CoF) gym–based program and other LTCH Restorative Exercise programs.

The position may include participation in, and support of, the Rubenstein Unit-Based Exercise (RUBEX) program and exercise supervision of clients enrolled in Hebrew Rehabilitation Center’s “Get Up & Go” Outpatient exercise program.

In the absence of the Immediate Supervisor, the Exercise Therapist will be supported and supervised by the Manager of Outpatient Exercise and Wellness.

Core Competencies

  • Must be able to communicate effectively with a diverse population.
  • Must demonstrate competence in retrieving information from the Electronic Medical Record (EMR).

Must be able to articulate and document pertinent information regarding patients exercise prescription and progress in accordance with professional standards and guidelines.

Must be able to accurately enter resident exercise information into the Patient Care System (PCS) on a daily basis.

Position Responsibilities

Conducts physical performance evaluations and functional testing with resident participants in the CoF exercise program.

Develops individualized exercise programs for CoF gym participants utilizing the principles of progressive resistance training (PRT).

Provides coaching in proper exercise technique to patients for maximal strength, endurance and functional exercise benefit.

Communicates with team members and appropriate resident care staff regarding medical or other changes noted during exercise sessions.

Must be able to identify contraindications and/or modifications in order to practice safe exercise programming.

  • Leads or provides support to leaders of RUBEX group exercise classes on households/floors.
  • Performs other duties as assigned, including but not limited to NuStep training and progression on resident households/floors.
  • Travels between HSL CLF exercise programs in Roslindale and Dedham, if necessary.
  • Attends monthly CLF staff meeting.
  • Essential Job Functions
  • Caring Practices
  • Practices acts of kindness.
  • Treats others courteously and with respect.
  • Performs work responsibilities in a friendly, professional manner.
  • Develops helpful and trusting relationships with patients, families and staff.
  • Promotes and accepts the expression of both negative and positive feelings.
  • Uses creative problem-solving to meet the needs of others.
  • Performs teaching and learning that addresses individual needs and learning styles.
  • Assists with basic physical emotional and spiritual needs.

Communication

  • Introduces self to patients/families and explain role in care.
  • Demonstrates to patients and their families that you are “emotionally” present by listening attentively and attending to concerns/needs.
  • Acts as an advocate on behalf of patients as needed or appropriate.
  • Communicates with patients/families/visitors/staff in a manner that conveys respect, caring and sensitivity.
  • Listens and respects others’ opinions.
  • Accountable for staying informed by reviewing memos, emails and other forms of communication.
  • Responsible for communicating and responding to issues and problems within the household/floor in a timely and efficient manner.
  • Responds to patients in all situations with a calm, sensitive and supportive approach.

Teamwork/Collaboration and Flexibility

  • Is flexible to the needs of the household/floors, the department and HRC.
  • Acts in a manner outside the traditional “role” as needed in order to meet patients’ needs.
  • Works as a member of the team by pro-actively striving to meet resident and household/floor needs.
  • Promotes a healthy household environment by demonstrating trust, mutual respect, visible support and open, honest communication with all members of the team.
  • Involves other team members by constantly sharing information.
  • Is aware of and respects others’ cultures, values, and backgrounds and considers differences when communicating and providing care.

Professionalism

  • Follows all policies and procedures set forth by the organization and outlined in HRC’s policy manuals and the employee handbook.
  • Maintains confidentiality of resident and household/floor information.

Quality Improvement

  • Communicates issues/concerns to leadership that may require quality monitoring.
  • Offers suggestions and solutions that may improve systems and care.
  • Participates in quality improvement initiatives as may be required.

Leadership/Development

Monitors student interns and volunteers, incorporating their assistance into exercise/fitness programs according to their abilities.

Seeks opportunity for professional development by attending internal and trainings, educational programs and conferences.

Safety

Practices in accordance with established standards of care for safety of resident/patient, self and co-workers.

Identifies and reports basic safety issues or problems (ex. spills) and takes action whenever appropriate.

  • Identifies and reports errors/potential errors according to policy.
  • Uses equipment as trained and according to organizational policy.
  • Identifies malfunctioning equipment, removes from use, and reports according to policy.
  • Adheres to all infection control policies.

Promotes the health and safety of all by following established infection control procedures (i. e., hand washing, use of personal protective equipment).

Physical Requirements

  • Contact with patients under a wide variety of circumstances, which may include exposure to unpleasant odors, sights, and sounds.
  • Subject to varying and unpredictable situations.
  • May be exposed to infections, contagious diseases and blood borne pathogens.
  • Gloves, gown, and mask as necessary.
  • Prolonged, extensive, or considerable standing or walking.
  • Positioning, transporting and/or transferring patients.
  • Lifting supplies, equipment.
  • Considerable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling and crouching.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree in related health field such as Exercise Science or Allied Health.
  • Excellent critical assessment skills.
  • Proficient verbal, written and computer skills
  • ACSM Health Fitness Instructor or Exercise Specialist certification encouraged.

Remote Type

On-site

Salary Range

$53,971.45 - $80,957.18

Key Responsibilities

The Exercise Therapist provides exercise programming, guidance, and motivation to patients in gym-based and restorative exercise programs. Responsibilities include conducting physical performance evaluations, developing individualized exercise plans, and documenting patient progress in the electronic medical record.

Key Skills

Physical performance evaluationPatient coachingStrength trainingEndurance trainingSafety protocolsTeam collaborationDocumentation

Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 36% are remote, 38% have no call, 54% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Massachusetts is 105.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$67k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $64k in an average-cost state. 63.2% of Massachusetts clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Mental Health Therapy by the numbers
MeasureThis jobMarket
Listed pay$54k–$81kMental Health Therapy median $81k (middle half $73k–$85k)16 comparable listings, Oct 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$64k in purchasing powerMassachusetts index 105.8 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Mental Health Therapy listings in Massachusetts268 active7,846 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 36% remote · 38% no call · 54% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Oct 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

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Salary Distribution36 jobs · 27 employers

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Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks30 jobs · 27 employers

401k / retirement match
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CME allowance
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Sign-on bonus
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Loan repayment
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PSLF eligible
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Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 1.5
Below most Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 7,956 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Boston

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$813k≈ 15.1× annual pay
Typical market rent
$3,338/mo≈ 74% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
30 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
108.3
State income tax
Up to 5%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.