PACS logo
PACS
Bakersfield, California

Occupational Therapist PRN

Occupational TherapistPer Diem

Listed compensation

$70-$75/hr

Listing transparency1 of 6 stated

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

Employment & setting
Per Diem
Call expectations
Not specified
Weekends
Not specified
Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

  • Job Title: Occupational Therapist (OT)
  • Status: PRN
  • Location: Kern River Transitional Care – Bakersfield, CA
  • Salary Range: $70.00 – $75.00 per hour (BOE)
  • Reports To: Director of Rehabilitation
  • General Purpose

The Staff Occupational Therapist evaluates and treats residents, communicates with families, physicians, and interdisciplinary team members, and maintains accurate documentation of therapy services in the medical record. The Occupational Therapist also provides ongoing in-service education and training to facility staff to support resident outcomes and regulatory compliance.

Essential Functions Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties required. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or an essential function of the position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Evaluate residents within twenty-four (24) hours or one (1) business day of physician referral; document reasons for any delay

  • Develop effective treatment plans and obtain physician approval for therapy services
  • Provide occupational therapy treatments in accordance with physician orders and established plans of care
  • Supervise Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs), aides, and students in accordance with state practice acts
  • Assist the nursing department with training of Restorative Aides

Communicate with supervisors and interdisciplinary team members regarding resident progress, problems, and treatment plans

Participate in Patient Care Conferences, Utilization Review meetings, and Rehabilitation Conferences as required

Participate in facility in-service training programs

Complete evaluations, daily treatment notes, weekly progress notes, and recertification documentation in compliance with state regulations and payer requirements

Record treatment changes per facility policy and procedures

Educate residents, families, and nursing staff on maintenance programs and caregiver training to prepare for discharge

Participate in discharge planning

Recommend and facilitate ordering of durable medical equipment to promote resident independence (e. g., braces, walkers, canes, grab bars, elevated toilet seats)

Report equipment issues promptly to ensure proper maintenance and safety

Maintain professional, positive, and effective relationships with residents, families, staff, and professional colleagues

  • Supervisory Requirements
  • This position supervises Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs), aides, and students.

Qualifications

  • Education and/or Experience
  • Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy required
  • Master’s or Doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy preferred
  • Skilled nursing or post-acute care experience preferred
  • Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations
  • Current, active Occupational Therapist license in the State of California
  • Must meet all continuing education requirements
  • Must maintain license in good standing with the state licensing board at all times
  • Computer Skills
  • Proficient in electronic documentation systems such as Casamba and PointClickCare
  • Skills and Abilities
  • Language Skills
  • Ability to read technical procedures and policy manuals

Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, coworkers, residents, and families

  • Mathematical Skills
  • Ability to apply fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations
  • Reasoning Ability
  • Ability to solve practical problems
  • Ability to interpret written, oral, diagram, or schedule-based instructions
  • Physical Demands
  • The essential functions of this position require the ability to:
  • Stand and/or walk very frequently
  • Sit occasionally
  • Reach with hands and arms frequently; push and pull very frequently
  • Talk and hear very frequently
  • Taste and/or smell very frequently
  • Exert over 100 pounds of force occasionally, over 50 pounds frequently, and over 20 pounds constantly
  • Climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl occasionally
  • Possess close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth perception with the ability to adjust focus

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Noise levels are typically low to moderate.

Additional Information

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities at any time. The statements above describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

Key Responsibilities

The Occupational Therapist evaluates and treats residents while maintaining accurate medical documentation and coordinating with the interdisciplinary team. They also provide training to facility staff and supervise assistants and students to ensure high-quality resident outcomes.

Qualifications

Education
Bachelor degree
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Patient evaluationTreatment planningSupervisionInterdisciplinary collaborationPatient education

Occupational Therapist Career Context

In California, the Occupational Therapy weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$113k (323 salary observations; 574 listings), vs ~$97k nationally (2,458 salary observations; 7,281 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2026-01-01 through 2026-09-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.

Of the 40 active Occupational Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 8% are remote, 35% have no call, 63% require no weekends.

Occupational Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is up 6.0% vs. the prior quarter (through Aug 2026).

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$151k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $136k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Occupational Therapist Jobs

39 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution24 jobs

7
<$125k
11
$125k-140k
3
$140k-155k
2
$160k
1
$172k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks27 jobs

401k / retirement match
67%
CME allowance
63% this job
Sign-on bonus
15%
Relocation assistance
11%
Loan repayment
7%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Home Care Occupational Therapist- Per Diem (Western Nassau County)Per Diem

US Physical Therapy · Garden City, New York

$70-$90/hr
#2

Occupational Therapist II, InpatientPer Diem

Sutter Health · Tracy, California

$58.71-$82.19/hr
#3

Occupational Therapist- Home Health- Saint Cloud

$75-$80/hr
#4

Occupational Therapist, Part Time, Days

$46-$75.04/hr
+ 37 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

3.0/ 10
Listing-based score

A signal to investigate—not a guarantee about the workplace.