Per Diem Physical Therapist
Compensation
Pay not disclosed
- Better work-life than 80% of Physical Therapy listings
- Physical Therapy listings up 19% vs the prior 30 days
The week, per this posting
Ask the employer about the pay range, the work setting and call expectations.
Job Description
Responsible for the physical therapy management of patients. Will report to Director, Assistant Director and/or Clinical Supervisor.
Essential Responsibilities
Evaluates patients and interprets examination findings to determine the nature and extent of dysfunction relative to persons limited by medical problems, birth defects, or health related conditions to restore their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. Performs clinical testing to determine muscle strength, reflexes, sensation, coordination, range of motion, and other sensory motor skills while performing clinical analysis and treatment of postural, gait, and ADL disorders.
- Establishes plan of care to achieve established goals relative to age, medical history and dysfunction.
- Administers or prescribes modalities and other physical agents.
- Administers or prescribes exercise programs/development of patient care programs.
Demonstrates professional competence and clinical reasoning in assessing patients condition at the onset and through all phases of skilled physical therapy.
Routinely takes usual and special precautions relative to the age, medical history and condition of the patient, and the type of treatment being given.
Regularly reassesses clinical signs and symptoms to determine effectiveness of treatment, progression towards goals, and the need for modification of treatment and/or goals.
- Implements the treatment program through direct treatment of the patient.
- May delegate a portion of the treatment plan to appropriate supportive personnel.
- Coordinates the treatment plan and participates in discharge planning with other health care personnel as appropriate.
- May participate in relevant patient care rounds and case management conferences.
- Provides advice and education to patient and family.
Discharges patients from physical therapy services when skilled therapy is no longer medically necessary and when clinically appropriate.
Upholds Kaiser Permanentes Policies and Procedures, Principles of Responsibilities and applicable state, federal and local laws.
Follows department guidelines on cleanliness of assigned areas and reports non-functioning of patient care equipment by following department equipment maintenance policies and procedures.
Provides accurate and timely documentation of physical therapy services provided per State and Federal requirements and relevant medical group policies and guidelines.
- Works in partnership with Management to complete all mandatory compliance requirements.
- May be required to be trained to cover a diverse population of patients depending on local medical center need.
- May be involved in the clinical competency of PT Assistants and PT Aides.
Adequately supervises PT assistants and PT aides when patient related and non-patient related tasks are delegated to them.
Demonstrates internal and external customer service at all times and behaves in accordance with Principles of Responsibility.
Basic Qualifications
- Experience
- N/A
Education
Completion of an accredited PT training program with a Bachelors, Masters, or Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy.
- License, Certification, Registration
- Physical Therapist License (California) required at hire OR Physical Therapist License - Applicant (California) required at hire
- Physical Therapist License (California) within 4 months of hire
- National Provider Identifier required at hire
- Basic Life Support required at hire from American Heart Association
Additional Requirements
Must be able to work in a Labor/Management Partnership environment.
If CA PT License Applicant (PTLA) or PT Aide Letter recipient: licensing exam must be passed within (120) days from letter date.
Preferred Qualifications
Member APTA
Notes
This is a per diem position for orthopedic outpatient clinic may be required to support group classes and multi-disciplinary clinic
Key Responsibilities
The Physical Therapist is responsible for evaluating patients, establishing treatment plans, and implementing physical therapy interventions to restore functional abilities. They also coordinate care with other healthcare personnel, provide patient education, and maintain accurate clinical documentation.
Requirements
Candidates must have completed an accredited physical therapy program and hold a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy. A valid California Physical Therapist license and Basic Life Support certification are required at the time of hire.
Qualifications
- Education
- Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
Certifications
Key Skills
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Per Diem Physical Therapist at Kaiser Permanente a 7.2 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as very good. This places the position in the top 25% in Physical Therapy — ranked against 21,438 active Physical Therapy listings on WeekdayDoc.
Physical Therapist Career Context
In California, the Physical Therapy weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$118k (350 salary observations; 841 listings), vs ~$93k nationally (4,091 salary observations; 14,079 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2026-01-01 through 2026-09-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.
Of the 50 active Physical Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 4% are remote, 34% have no call, 80% require no weekends.
Physical Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is down 2.6% 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)). 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
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