Physical Therapist Assistant(PTA) Per Diem
Listed compensation
$46-$47/hr
The week · per this posting
Schedule not stated in this posting — no days, weekends, call or nights given.
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.
Job Description
Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) – Per Diem
Willow Creek Health Care Center
Pay Range: $46.00–$47.00 per hour, based on experience
Join Our Rehabilitation Team
Willow Creek Health Care Center is seeking a compassionate and motivated Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) to join our rehabilitation team on a per-diem basis.
Working under the direction and supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist, the PTA provides resident-centered treatment designed to improve mobility, strength, balance, safety, and functional independence. This is an excellent opportunity to apply your clinical skills in a supportive skilled nursing environment while enjoying the flexibility of a per-diem schedule.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide physical therapy treatments as directed by the supervising Physical Therapist.
- Follow individualized plans of care and established treatment protocols.
- Observe and document residents’ responses to treatment, progress toward goals, and changes in condition.
Complete timely, accurate, and compliant documentation in accordance with facility, governmental, and third-party payer requirements.
Communicate regularly with the supervising Physical Therapist regarding resident progress, treatment response, goals, and discharge planning.
Collaborate with physicians, nursing staff, rehabilitation professionals, residents, families, and other interdisciplinary team members.
- Participate in resident care conferences and rehabilitation meetings as needed.
- Practice in accordance with applicable California laws and regulations governing Physical Therapist Assistants, including Article 4, Section 1398.44.
- Assist the nursing department with training Restorative Nursing Assistants.
Educate residents, families, and caregivers regarding treatment goals, home exercise and maintenance programs, safe mobility techniques, and fall-prevention strategies.
Recommend and assist with obtaining appropriate durable medical equipment, including walkers, canes, splints, elevated toilet seats, grab bars, and other mobility devices.
- Provide staff training and in-service education as assigned.
- Maintain a safe treatment environment by following infection-prevention, safety, and equipment-maintenance protocols.
- Promptly report damaged or malfunctioning equipment.
- Participate in quality-assurance, performance-improvement, and rehabilitation program-development initiatives.
- Maintain the confidentiality of resident and company information.
- Develop positive, professional relationships with residents, families, staff, and healthcare professionals.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Associate degree from an accredited Physical Therapist Assistant program required.
- Current California Physical Therapist Assistant license required.
- License must remain active, unrestricted, and in good standing.
- Must satisfy all state continuing-education requirements.
- Current CPR certification, if required by licensure or facility policy.
- Skilled nursing, rehabilitation, or long-term care experience preferred.
- Experience with Net Health, PointClickCare, or similar electronic documentation systems preferred.
- Strong clinical, organizational, communication, and time-management skills.
- New graduates who meet California licensing requirements are encouraged to apply.
Skills and Abilities
- Ability to read and understand technical procedures, treatment plans, and facility policies.
- Ability to communicate effectively with residents, families, managers, coworkers, and healthcare professionals.
- Ability to solve practical problems and follow written, verbal, diagrammed, or scheduled instructions.
- Ability to work independently while maintaining regular communication with the supervising Physical Therapist.
- Basic mathematical skills, including fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions.
- Compassionate, professional, and resident-centered approach to care.
Physical Requirements
This position requires frequent standing and walking and occasional sitting, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling. The PTA must be able to reach, push, pull, lift, and manipulate residents, objects, and equipment while following safe resident-handling practices.
The role may require exerting more than 100 pounds occasionally, more than 50 pounds frequently, and more than 20 pounds regularly when safely assisting residents or moving equipment. Adequate visual, auditory, tactile, and verbal abilities are required to provide safe and effective care.
Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities.
Work Environment
This position works throughout the rehabilitation and resident-care areas of the facility. Occupational exposure to infectious materials, blood, body fluids, and other conditions common to a skilled nursing environment may occur. The noise level is generally low to moderate.
Why Join Willow Creek Health Care Center?
- Competitive pay of $46.00–$47.00 per hour, based on experience
- Flexible per-diem scheduling
- Supportive rehabilitation leadership
- Collaborative interdisciplinary care team
- Training and professional-growth opportunities
- Reward and bonus opportunities
- Meaningful work helping residents regain mobility, safety, and independence
- Benefits and other programs are subject to eligibility requirements and facility policy.
Willow Creek Health Care Center is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all employees.
Apply today and bring your clinical skills and compassion to the rehabilitation team at Willow Creek Health Care Center!
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
Provide physical therapy treatments under the supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist, following individualized care plans and documenting residents’ responses and progress. Coordinate with residents, families, and the interdisciplinary team; support safe mobility, education, equipment needs, staff training, and rehabilitation quality initiatives.
Key Skills
Physical Therapist Career Context
In California, the Physical Therapy weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$116k (1,216 salary observations; 4,244 listings), vs ~$94k nationally (11,898 salary observations; 60,349 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 California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$97k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $87k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Listed pay | $96k–$98k | Physical Therapy median $69k (middle half $64k–$76k)15 comparable listings, Nov 2026 |
| California vs national | $116k median in California | $94k nationally (+24%)1,216 state / 11,898 national salary observations |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$87k in purchasing power | California index 110.7 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Physical Therapy listings in California | 1,727 active | 21,640 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | California Physical Therapist listings: 21% state a sign-on bonus (median $10k) · 9% offer loan repayment1,000 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New Physical Therapy listings | 7,629 in the last 30 days | 4,305 the 30 days before (+77%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Physical Therapy pay trend | +1.5% vs prior quarter | —through Oct 2026 |
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