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Adventist Health
Bakersfield, California

Occupational Therapist (Per Diem, Day)

Occupational TherapistIncludes callPer Diem

Listed compensation

$49.6-$68.03/hr

The week · per this posting

Ask the employer about weekend coverage, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 6mo ago

Job Description

Central to all that California has to offer, Adventist Health Bakersfield has been providing an extraordinary team of world-class physicians, top-notch medical technology, caring professionals and award-winning quality since 1910.

We are comprised of a 254-bed acute care hospital and 20 primary and specialty care medical offices. As one of America's fastest growing cities, Bakersfield offers affordable housing on the West Coast, beautiful weather, high-quality education and it is just a few hours away from Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks, the Central California Coast and Southern California's great sports, theaters, concerts and amusement parks.

Job Summary

Plans and conducts segments of treatment programs designed to restore and improve physical, social and mental functions, while meeting department objectives. Serves as co-leader in interdisciplinary approach to patient groups.

Job Requirements

Education and Work Experience

  • Master's degree in Occupational Therapy or Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD): Required; only if obtained license on or after January 2007; or foreign equivalent.
  • Two years' occupational therapy experience: Preferred

Licenses/Certifications

  • Occupational Therapy licensure in state of practice: Required
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) or Basic Life Support (BLS OR HS-BLS OR RQIBLS) certification: Required

Facility Specific License/Certifications

  • AHA-BLS or ARC-BLS: Required

Essential Functions

  • Completes evaluations to ensure quality standards and addresses assessment areas that require attention. Uses appropriate clinical techniques and tools and establishes individualized treatment plans for patients.
  • Provides therapy interventions using appropriate treatment protocols and techniques. Establishes individualized care and discharge plans and ensures plans are communicated to appropriate parties.
  • Completes comprehensive and accurate clinical documentation within established deadlines.
  • Supervises assigned assistants.
  • Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Organizational Requirements

Adventist Health is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our associates and patients. Therefore, we require that all associates receive all required vaccinations as a condition of employment and annually thereafter, where applicable. Medical and religious exemptions may apply.

Adventist Health participates in E-Verify. Visit

adventisthealth.org for more information about

E-Verify. By choosing to apply, you acknowledge that you have accessed and read the E-Verify Participation and Right to Work notices and understand the contents therein.

Adventist Health is a faith-based, nonprofit, integrated health system serving more than 100 communities on the West Coast and Hawaii with over 440 sites of care, including 27 acute care facilities.

Founded on Adventist heritage and values, Adventist Health provides care in hospitals, clinics, home care, and hospice agencies in both rural and urban communities.

Our compassionate and talented team of more than 38,000 includes employees, physicians, Medical Staff, and volunteers driven in pursuit of one mission: living God's love by inspiring health, wholeness and hope.

Key Responsibilities

The role involves planning and conducting treatment programs to improve physical, social, and mental functions while meeting department objectives, and serving as a co-leader in interdisciplinary patient groups. Essential functions include completing patient evaluations, providing therapy interventions, establishing individualized care and discharge plans, and completing accurate clinical documentation.

Requirements

A Master's degree or Doctor of Occupational Therapy is required unless the license was obtained before January 2007, and two years of occupational therapy experience is preferred. Required certifications include state Occupational Therapy licensure and CPR or BLS certification.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)

Key Skills

Treatment PlanningPatient EvaluationDischarge PlanningCPR CertificationSupervisionInterdisciplinary Collaboration

Occupational Therapist Career Context

In California, the Occupational Therapy weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$117k (932 salary observations; 2,030 listings), vs ~$97k nationally (6,625 salary observations; 25,396 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2026-01-01 through 2026-10-01; 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)). 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Of the 50 active Occupational Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 8% are remote, 38% have no call, 56% require no weekends.

Occupational Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is up 1.5% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

Top contract/1099 Occupational Therapist Jobs

49 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution36 jobs

10
<$120k
10
$120k-140k
9
$140k-160k
4
$160k-180k
3
$180k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks33 jobs

401k / retirement match
91%
CME allowance
48%
Sign-on bonus
24%
Relocation assistance
15%
Visa sponsorship
9%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Occupational Therapist

Home Care Providers Group · Yuba City, California

Salary Range: $95.00/…
#2

Occupational Therapist (OT)- South County

Home Care Providers Group · San Diego, California

$158k – $198k
#3

Home Care Occupational Therapist- 1099 (Queens)

$80-$90/hr
#4

Occupational Therapist I - Per Diem - San Diego County Float

$50.72-$73.31/hr
+ 47 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 4.8this job 3.0
Better work-life than 20% of Occupational Therapy listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 9,297 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • On-site
  • Includes call

Living in Bakersfield

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$357k
Typical market rent
$1,858/mo
Residents’ average commute
24 min
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
Sources & methodology

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

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.