Per Diem Physical Therapist, Acute Rehab Center, Bethlehem & Sacred Heart Campuses, Weekend and Weekday needs
Compensation
Pay not listed
The week · per this posting
Ask the employer about the pay range, call expectations, nights and shift pattern and time off.
Job Description
St. Luke's is proud of the skills, experience and compassion of its employees. The employees of St. Luke's are our most valuable asset!
Individually and together, our employees are dedicated to satisfying the mission of our organization which is an unwavering commitment to excellence as we care for the sick and injured; educate physicians, nurses and other health care providers; and improve access to care in the communities we serve, regardless of a patient's ability to pay for health care.
This position is for Acute Rehab Centers at Bethlehem and Sacred Heart campuses. Weekend requirement: work at least 1 weekend day every 4 weeks. Also looking for weekday availability.
The Acute Care Physical Therapist evaluates plans and administers physical therapy treatment programs for referred patients, acute care setting, to restore function, give pain relief and prevent disability following disease, injury or loss of body part. Patient responsibilities include care provision for the patients below.
Pediatric (2 months – 12 years), Adolescent (13-17 years), Adult (18-65 years), Geriatric (66+ years).
Job Duties and Responsibilities
- Performs and documents initial patient evaluations thoroughly and accurately in a timely fashion.
- Establishes realistic, attainable short-term and long-term goals with each patient.
- Performs therapeutic exercises effectively and appropriately.
Implements, and revises as necessary, effective progressive treatment programs taking evaluative findings into consideration.
Administers therapeutic modalities and programs appropriately and effectively, including hot/cold pack, ultrasound, massage, electrical stimulation, whirlpool and wound care.
- Fits assistive, prosthetic and orthotic devices and provides appropriate training.
- Performs appropriate discharge planning, instructs patients and family member(s) in home programs.
- Documents accurately, in a timely manner, including initial evaluation, progress notes and discharge summaries.
- Provides on-premises supervision of Physical Therapist Assistants and aides.
- Assists in orienting new staff Physical Therapists.
- Demonstrates competency in the assessment, range of treatment and knowledge of growth and development appropriate to the age of the patient treated (neonate, pediatric, adolescent or geriatric).
- May supervise PT and PTA students and observers as assigned.
- Accurately bills patient’s accounts for services rendered.
- Accepts responsibility of scheduling patients.
- Attends multi-disciplinary meetings.
- Other duties as assigned.
Physical and Sensory Requirements
Ability to sit for extended periods and stand and/or ambulate intermittently throughout the workday.
Ability to frequently bend, stoop, squat, crouch, kneel, and reach, including occasional overhead reaching, consistent with inpatient patient care activities.
Ability to use hands and fingers for fine motor tasks, including operation of medical equipment, patient care devices, and electronic documentation systems.
Ability to assist with patient positioning, transfers, and mobility using approved safe patient handling and mobility equipment and team‑based techniques in accordance with organizational policy.
Ability to push and pull equipment and patient support devices, utilizing mechanical assistance when indicated.
Manual patient lifting is minimized and avoided whenever possible; patient handling is performed using mechanical aids or team assistance, except in unanticipated or emergency situations requiring immediate action.
Ability to perceive tactile cues necessary for safe patient care.
Ability to hear and see adequately to communicate, respond to alarms or call bells, and safely navigate the clinical environment.
Education/Licensure
Current Physical Therapist license in the State of Pennsylvania or New Jersey, based on work location required. The Physical Therapist shall work within the practice guidelines as defined by Pennsylvania or New Jersey state law (based upon work location). Doctorate Degree preferred.
Training and Experience
Current CPR certification. Successful completion of required affiliations and/or CEU’s to maintain licensure.
Please complete your application using your full legal name and current home address. Be sure to include employment history for the past seven (7) years, including your present employer.
Additionally, you are encouraged to upload a current resume, including all work history, education, and/or certifications and licenses, if applicable. It is highly recommended that you create a profile at the conclusion of submitting your first application. Thank you for your interest in St. Luke's!!
St. Luke's University Health Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Key Responsibilities
The Physical Therapist evaluates and administers treatment programs to restore function, provide pain relief, and prevent disability in an acute care setting. They are responsible for documenting patient progress, supervising assistants, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.
Requirements
Candidates must hold a current Physical Therapist license in Pennsylvania or New Jersey and possess current CPR certification. A Doctorate degree is preferred, along with the ability to perform physical tasks such as lifting, bending, and patient transfers.
Qualifications
- Education
- Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Physical Therapist Career Context
In Pennsylvania, the Physical Therapy weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$92k (348 salary observations; 2,550 listings), vs ~$94k nationally (11,670 salary observations; 64,203 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2026-01-01 through 2026-11-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.
The cost-of-living index for Pennsylvania is 97.6 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 61.7% of Pennsylvania clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Listed pay | not listed | Physical Therapy median $94k (middle half $87k–$105k)10 comparable listings, Nov 2026 |
| Pennsylvania vs national | $92k median in Pennsylvania | $94k nationally (−2%)348 state / 11,670 national salary observations |
| Cost of living | Pennsylvania index 97.6 | US average = 100BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Physical Therapy listings in Pennsylvania | 921 active | 21,930 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 38% no call · 74% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | Pennsylvania physical therapist listings (all specialties): 22% state a sign-on bonus (median $10k) · 20% offer loan repayment979 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New Physical Therapy listings | 7,887 in the last 30 days | 4,353 the 30 days before (+81%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Physical Therapy pay trend | +1.3% vs prior quarter | —through Oct 2026 |
| St. Luke's University Health Network | #5 of 11 for pay | Top Employers work-life index |
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