Physical Therapist, Inpatient (Per Diem)
Listed compensation
$124.8K–$126.9K
The week · per this posting
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.
Job Description
Work Location Mission Viejo, California Work Shift Day – 08hrs (United States of America) Why CHOC? At CHOC, we strive to be the leading destination of children’s health by providing exceptional and innovative care.
We are responsible for the overall health of our community’s pediatric population in our hospitals, clinics, and practices. And because of our breadth of care, your career at CHOC can be as diverse and fulfilling as you determine.
CHOC’s compensation structure, benefits offerings, and career development programs are geared to helping you achieve your professional and personal goals.
Apply now to see where your career at CHOC can take you.
Environmental Sustainablity Statement Driven by the connection between children's health and a healthy environment, we commit to creating a healthcare model that incorporates environmental sustainability aligned with our mission to protect children's health and patient safety.
Job Summary The Physical Therapist PD provides direct patient and family centered care while under the direction of the Rehabilitation Leadership Team. This includes, but is not limited to, evaluation, assessment, and treatment planning based on functional needs.
Works with interdisciplinary team members to coordinate care and adjust treatment plan as necessary. May participate in department-wide process improvement initiatives and program development.
Pay Range Minimum $60.00 Midpoint $60.00 Maximum $61.00 Rate of pay is determined by various factors, including but not limited to knowledge, skills, competencies, experience, education, as well as position requirements. Experience
- Required: None required.
- Preferred: Clinical Affiliation in Pediatrics. Education
- Required: Successful completion of accredited Physical Therapy Program. Bachelor’s degree in related field.
- Preferred: Master's degree in related field. Training
- Required: None required. Specialized Skills
- Required: Ability to set goals and judge results in accordance with the highest standards and respect; advance care through development of new ideas and technology; promote teamwork to achieve CHOC’s mission; and understand and exceed customer expectations and effectively solve complex patient care and organizational problems. Strong verbal and written communication skills; interpersonal relationship and collaboration skills. Licensure
- Required: Basic Life Support (BLS); Physical Therapist License – CA. Work Environments - Functional Demand: Medium - High energy level Lift and carry 40-50 lbs. Push/pull +/- 150-200 lbs. (Patients on bed, stretcher) Lateral transfer 150-200 lbs. (ie. Patient). Physical Activity Requirements: Bending, Carry Objects, Climbing, Keyboard use/repetitive motion, Pinching/fine motor activities, Push/Pull, Reaching forward, Reaching overhead, Sitting, Squat/kneel/crawl (Squad & Knee), Standing, Talk or hear, Taste or smell, Twisting, Walking, Wrist position deviation Physical Activity Lifting Lifting (Floor to waist level) - Constant 67 or more%, Lifting (Floor to waist level) - Frequent 36-66%, Lifting (Floor to waist level) - Occasional 0-35%, Lifting (Waist level and above) - Constant 67 or more%, Lifting (Waist level and above) - Frequent 36-66%, Lifting (Waist level and above) - Occasional 0-35% Sensory Requirements: Color Discrimination, Depth Perception, Far Vision, Hearing, Near Vision Environment Requirements: Airborn Communicable Disease, Bloodborne Pathogens, Chemical, Dust Particular Matter, Extreme Noise Levels, Extreme Temperatures, Radiation, Uneven Surfaces or Elevations Non-Discrimination Statement: CHOC does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, genetic information, disability, sex, gender (including pregnancy, breastfeeding, childbirth, lactation or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, medical condition, sexual orientation, veteran status, military or uniformed service member status, or other protected characteristics in accordance with state and federal laws. We encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply for positions at CHOC, even if your experience doesn’t align perfectly with the listed qualifications for a particular role, as your unique experience may be a great addition to our culture for another one of our opportunities. If you desire support or accommodations throughout the Talent Acquisition process, please inform your Talent Acquisition Partner. Recognized year after year as national leader in employee engagement, and named one of the best children’s hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, this is an exciting time to be at CHOC. Our campus is constantly growing and offering new state-of-the art programs and services as we continue to meet the needs of more than 250,000 children annually, making the opportunities for career enrichment endless. We offer highly competitive salary levels and benefits, but the personal growth and fulfillment you’ll find at CHOC, coupled with an inspiring mission to nurture, advance, and protect the health and well being of children, are perhaps the most valuable payouts of all. We hope you will join our dedicated and talented team of associates committed to the highest standards of care and making a difference in the lives of children in Orange County – and beyond. Driven by the connection between children's health and a healthy environment, we commit to creating a healthcare model that incorporates environmental sustainability aligned with our mission to protect children's health and patient safety. We're always in search for our next Defender of Childhood! If you don't see a position of interest, or you're simply not ready to apply, feel free to join our Talent Network.
Key Responsibilities
The Physical Therapist PD provides direct patient and family-centered care, including evaluation, assessment, and treatment planning based on functional needs, all under the direction of the Rehabilitation Leadership Team. This role involves working with interdisciplinary team members to coordinate care and may include participation in department-wide process improvement initiatives and program development.
Requirements
Required education includes the successful completion of an accredited Physical Therapy Program and a Bachelor's degree in a related field, with a Master's degree preferred. Candidates must possess a current Physical Therapist License for California and Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, though no prior experience is explicitly required.
Qualifications
- Education
- Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
Key Skills
Physical Therapist Career Context
Of the 50 active Physical Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 10% are remote, 42% have no call, 52% require no weekends.
In California, the Physical Therapy weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$116k (1,525 salary observations; 3,917 listings), vs ~$94k nationally (14,883 salary observations; 56,734 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2026-01-01 through 2026-10-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.
The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
Top contract/1099 Physical Therapist Jobs
49 matches · ranked by paySalary Distribution32 jobs
Annual compensation range
Benefits & Perks33 jobs
Share of similar jobs offering each benefit
Home Health Physical TherapistPer Diem
Transition Care Telemetry · San Juan Capistrano, California
Home Care Physical Therapist- Independent Contractor (Union County)Contract
US Physical Therapy · Union County, New Jersey
Home Care Physical Therapist- Per Diem (Ocean County)
$72-$95/hrPhysical Therapist Acute Care
$63.78-$89.28/hr