Child Serve logo
Child Serve
Des Moines, Iowa

Outpatient Physical Therapist (Full-Time)

Physical TherapistFull-Time

Compensation

Pay not listed

The week · per this posting · Monday – Thursday

Ask the employer about the pay range, the work setting, call expectations and time off.

Posted 3mo ago

Job Description

We are hiring for a full-time Physical Therapist at our brand-new Des Moines clinic! ChildServe's talented team of therapists specialize in pediatric rehab and work together to create plans specific to each child's need. In this full-time Physical Therapist role, you will provide comprehensive physical therapy services to children in our outpatient service area.

Schedule: Monday-Thursday schedule

Flexible hours

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • 403(b) retirement plan with company match
  • Life and disability insurance
  • Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Competitive Bonus Structure

What You'll Do

  • Administer appropriate standardized tests/screenings/informal assessments/clinical observations.
  • Adhere to the plan of care as written.
  • Provide appropriate recommendations, referrals, and/or follow-up for each case.
  • Participate in internal quality assurance and continuous quality improvement activities.
  • Assist in the research/development of clinical practices and competencies.
  • Plan and prepare individualized, creative, and unique activities to meet each child's individual goals.

What You'll Need

Master's level or higher graduate of an APTA approved physical therapy and an active license in the state of Iowa.

  • Pediatric experience preferred.
  • Ability to communicate effectively in reading, writing, and speaking the English language.
  • Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, be mobile within the assigned work area, and frequently bend, lift, reach, and stand.

Make a Difference Every Day at ChildServe

ChildServe partners with families to help children with special healthcare needs live a great life.

ChildServe is a leading pediatric healthcare provider with Iowa’s only children's specialty hospital, offering a variety of services and programs to meet each child’s unique needs.

ChildServe’s four key specialty areas include: complex medical care, pediatric rehabilitation, autism and behavioral health, and community-based services. With a coordinated approach to care delivery, services are interwoven and streamlined, so families can address their child’s needs in one location.

Established in 1928, ChildServe proudly provides more than 30 pediatric specialty services to nearly 6,000 children in Iowa each year.

ChildServe is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. To request assistance with the application process, please email careers@childserve.org. ChildServe is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Key Responsibilities

Provide comprehensive physical therapy services to children in an outpatient setting, including administering standardized tests and clinical observations. Develop and implement individualized, creative care plans to meet each child's specific goals.

Requirements

Requires a Master's degree or higher from an APTA approved physical therapy program and an active Iowa state license. Candidates must be able to lift up to 50 lbs and possess effective English communication skills.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)

Key Skills

Standardized TestingClinical ObservationPatient AssessmentCare PlanningPatient Handling

Physical Therapist Career Context

Of the 50 active Physical Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 4% are remote, 38% have no call, 62% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Iowa is 87.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 59.8% of Iowa clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

What does the Physical Therapy market look like in Iowa?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Work-life score7.2 / 10 · top 10% in physical therapyranked against 21,942 Physical Therapy listingslisting-based score, 0–10
Cost of livingIowa index 87.8US average = 100BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Physical Therapy listings in Iowa212 active22,032 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 4% remote · 38% no call · 62% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index (21,942 Physical Therapy listings), BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Oct 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Outpatient Physical Therapist (Full-Time) at Child Serve a 7.2 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as very good. This places the position in the top 10% in Physical Therapy — ranked against 21,942 active Physical Therapy listings on WeekdayDoc.

Top Physical Therapist Jobs

38 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

32 jobs · 22 employers
17
<$105k
9
$105k-125k
2
$125k-145k
4
$145k-165k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

31 jobs · 22 employers
401k / retirement match
87% this job
CME allowance
61%
Sign-on bonus
55%
Loan repayment
29%
Relocation assistance
3%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Home Health Physical Therapist - Hayward

CVHCare · Hayward, California

$150k
#2

Physical Therapist (PT) – Travel Contract + LodgingContract

Concierge Home Care · Tallahassee, Florida

$70+/visit
#3

Physical Therapist (PT) – Flexible Schedule

$70+/visit
#4

Travel Physical Therapist

$70/hr
+ 36 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 4.8this job 7.2
Among the best 10% of Physical Therapy listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 21,942 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Child Serve logo

About Child Serve

Hospitals and Health Care
Johnston, IA
501-1,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
403(b) Retirement Plan with Company Match
Life Insurance

Living in Des Moines

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$227k
Typical market rent
$1,126/mo
Residents’ average commute
20 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
91.7
State income tax
Up to 6%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.