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UnitedHealth Group
Columbia, South Carolina

Senior Living Occupational Therapist Per Diem

Occupational TherapistPer Diem

Listed compensation

$76k-$114k

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.

Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

Explore opportunities with LHC Group, a leading post-acute care partner for hospitals, physicians and families nationwide. As part of the Optum family of businesses, we provide home health, hospice and community-based services that help people receive quality care where they feel most comfortable: at home.

Rooted in personalized care, we support patients and provide comfort through each stage of their health journey, while building trusted relationships along the way. Find a home for your career here. Join us and embrace a culture of Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

As the Per diem Senior Living Occupational Therapy, you will provide age-appropriate services for adult to geriatric patients, including the following: comprehensive assessment, direct treatment to individuals and groups, supervision of treatment delivered by the COTA or tech, development of a home exercise program, patient/family instruction, participation in team and family conferences, evaluation and selection of adaptive equipment, participation in PI programs, and documentation of services according to department and facility standards. This position involves direct patient care.

Primary Responsibilities

Evaluates the patient to determine rehab potential, identifies needs, establishes an individualized treatment plan of care, and sets goals to be used in the team plan of care

Sets Initial STG's and LTG's

  • Utilizes equipment in a proper and safe manner, maintains equipment inspection, maintenance and cleaning logs, reports broken or faulty equipment
  • Maintains equipment logs for required equipment in the outpatient clinic

Follows medical regimen developed for the patient. Is aware of and adheres to precautions (THR, TKR, Cardiac, Wound, etc.)

Utilizes the following safe treatment techniques: transfers, positioning, feeding, splinting, paraffin bath, cryotherapy, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, etc.

Completes D/C summary on each patient on their final visit to outpatient PT

Ability to function in any home situation regardless of age, race, creed, color, sex, disability, or financial condition of the client

You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications

Current Occupational Therapy licensure in state of practice

Current CPR Certification

Current driver’s license and vehicle insurance, access to a dependable vehicle, or public transportation

Pay Range

  • $75,998 - $113,997 annual total cash target pay
  • $43.85 - $65.77 per visit point
  • $36.54 - $54.81 hourly rate

Annual total cash compensation for this role assumes full-time employment (40 weekly hours) at full productivity and generally follows the range above.

Total cash compensation includes earnings from per visit point pay and hourly pay and is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience and may increase over time based on productivity and performance in the role.

This role receives two types of compensation depending on the work being performed. When conducting visits, you will be paid per visit point rate compensation. Your per visit pay will be calculated by multiplying your per visit point rate by the productivity points you accrue for various types of visits.

Each type of visit is assigned a certain number of productivity points that is inclusive of “direct” and “indirect” patient care activities. Visits are assigned based on patient and business needs.

The number of visits performed each week will vary based on individual productivity targets and the productivity points assigned to the visits performed. You will be paid your hourly rate for certain non-visit activities such as orientation. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

In addition to your pay, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements).

No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives.

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and help make the health system work better for everyone. Together, we are shaping the future of healthcare by harnessing technology and innovation to make care simpler to navigate, more affordable and more connected for the people we serve.

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcomed, valued, heard and respected, empowering people to bring their authentic selves to work and strengthening our collective impact through diverse talents, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

UnitedHealth Group and its affiliated brands are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.

UnitedHealth Group and its affiliated brands are a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.

Key Responsibilities

The Occupational Therapist will perform comprehensive patient assessments, develop individualized treatment plans, and provide direct care to adult and geriatric patients in home settings. They are also responsible for supervising COTA staff, documenting services, and participating in team conferences to ensure quality patient outcomes.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a current Occupational Therapy license in the state of practice and possess a current CPR certification. A valid driver's license, vehicle insurance, and access to a dependable vehicle are also required for this role.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Patient assessmentTreatment planningGeriatric careAdaptive equipment selectionHome exercise program developmentPatient instructionSupervision of COTARehabilitation potential evaluationTransfer techniques

Occupational Therapist Career Context

The cost-of-living index for South Carolina is 93.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$95k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $101k in an average-cost state. 60.6% of South Carolina clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Of the 40 active Occupational Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 43% have no call, 73% require no weekends.

UnitedHealth Group holds silver-tier status on WeekdayDoc's Top Employers work-life index, composite score 75/100, 1,417 active listings.

Occupational Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is up 3.7% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

Top contract/1099 Occupational Therapist Jobs

23 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution23 jobs · 20 employers

12
<$110k
3
$110k-130k
4
$130k-150k
4
$150k-170k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks20 jobs

401k / retirement match
85% this job
Sign-on bonus
65%
CME allowance
45%
Loan repayment
35%
Relocation assistance
15%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Head Occupational Therapist (Inpatient Rehabilitation & Acute Care) | NYP-CUIMC | Full-Time | Mon - Fri | Day Shift

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital · New York, New York

$70.76-$81.01/hr
#2

Occupational Therapist (Home Health)

21st Century Home Health Services · Galt, California

$130k-$160k
#3

Occupational Therapist, OT, Flexible Schedule, Home Health

$70-$75/hr
#4

Occupational Therapist

$68-$75/hr
+ 21 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 4.8this job 1.7
Below most Occupational Therapy listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 9,471 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Columbia

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$220k≈ 2.9× annual pay
Typical market rent
$1,479/mo≈ 23% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
18 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
93.7
State income tax
Up to 6.5%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Columbia, SC metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

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About UnitedHealth Group

Hospitals and Health Care
Eden Prairie , Minnesota
10,000+ employees

Benefits & Perks

Comprehensive benefits package
Recognition programs
Equity stock purchase
401k contribution