Physical Therapist - PRN

Physical TherapistNo nightsPer Diem

Listed compensation

$38.8-$58.2/hr

The week · per this posting

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

Overview:

The Physical Therapist is responsible for the evaluation, planning and implementation of a treatment plan addressing the functional needs of a variety of patient diagnoses.

Schedule: PRN/As needed

Shift: Variable typically on day shift

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Integrates subjective and objective data to establish a treatment plan.
  • Utilizes exercise, physical agents, and manual techniques to address deficits.
  • Maintains a thorough record of services provided with appropriate coding and billing.
  • Communicates with other disciplines and referring providers to enhance outcomes.

Performs Thorough and Timely Electronic Documentation

  • Strengths in care delivery as evidenced by peer review feedback; consistently demonstrates advanced evaluation and treatment techniques
  • Participates actively in the PI and CQI process
  • Assists in the orientation, training and mentoring of new partners
  • Participates in cost saving initiatives within the department
  • Takes an active role in the performance improvement process

Maintain a high standard of patient care and provide effective communication between physical therapists, assistants and the physician group

Plans and conducts lectures and training programs on physical therapy and related topics for medical staff, students and community groups.

Education and/or Experience

  • Graduate of an accredited school of Physical Therapy
  • CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE
  • Licensed as a physical therapist in WI, IL or both if required
  • CPR/BLS required within 90 days of hire

Level of Supervision

Some independent judgement is required, based upon scope of practice and within professional standards.

Pay Range

$38.80 - $58.20

Mercyhealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Mercyhealth offers competitive pay and benefits, including retirement, time off, on-demand pay, access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and more. Click here for more details.

At Mercyhealth, we don’t simply hire people, we empower employee-partners who are passionate about making lives better. As an integrated health system, we deliver exceptional, coordinated across seven hospitals, 85 primary and specialty clinics, and a team of over 7,500 professionals serving northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

Mercyhealth has been nationally recognized for our commitment to our people and culture, including:

#1 in the nation on AARP's Best Employers for Workers Over 50

  • One of Working Mother magazine's 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers
  • A Top 50 Company and Top 10 Nonprofit for Executive Women

Key Responsibilities

The Physical Therapist evaluates and implements treatment plans to address patient functional needs using various therapeutic techniques. They also maintain accurate electronic documentation and collaborate with other healthcare providers to improve patient outcomes.

Requirements

Candidates must be graduates of an accredited Physical Therapy school and hold a valid license in Wisconsin or Illinois. CPR/BLS certification is required within 90 days of hire.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure

Key Skills

Patient evaluationTreatment planningExercise prescriptionClinical codingInterdisciplinary communication

Physical Therapist Career Context

The cost-of-living index for Illinois is 100.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$101k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $101k in an average-cost state. 62.6% of Illinois clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Of the 49 active Physical Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 2% are remote, 55% have no call, 47% require no weekends.

What does the Physical Therapy market look like in Illinois?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Work-life score5.1 / 10 · above average in physical therapyranked against 21,543 Physical Therapy listingslisting-based score, 0–10
Listed pay$81k–$121kPhysical Therapy median $109k (middle half $109k–$109k)11 comparable listings, Nov 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$101k in purchasing powerIllinois index 100.0 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Physical Therapy listings in Illinois758 active21,474 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 2% remote · 55% no call · 47% no weekends49 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentnot statedIllinois Physical Therapist listings: 31% state a sign-on bonus (median $10k) · 24% offer loan repayment811 active listings, Nov 2026
New Physical Therapy listings7,550 in the last 30 days4,344 the 30 days before (+74%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Physical Therapy pay trend+1.5% vs prior quarter—through Oct 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index (21,543 Physical Therapy listings), BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Top contract/1099 Physical Therapist Jobs

48 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

25 jobs
3
<$110k
4
$110k-125k
12
$125k-140k
3
$140k-155k
3
$156k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

33 jobs · 25 employers
401k / retirement match
88% this job
CME allowance
39%
Sign-on bonus
21%
Loan repayment
9%
PSLF eligible
6%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Home Health Physical Therapist-NEW GRADS WELCOMEPer Diem

Transition Care Telemetry · San Diego, California

$80-$120/hr
#2

Home Health Physical Therapist - Per DiemPer Diem

Transition Care Telemetry · San Diego, California

$80-$110/hr
#3

Home Health Physical Therapist

$75-$80/hr
#4

Home Health Physical Therapist

$75-$80/hr
+ 46 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 4.8this job 5.1
Better work-life than 50% of Physical Therapy listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 21,543 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • No nights
Mercyhealth Wisconsin and Illinois logo

About Mercyhealth Wisconsin and Illinois

Hospitals and Health Care
Rockford, Illinois
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Retirement plan
Time off
On-demand pay
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Living in Freeport

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$168k
Typical market rent
$926/mo
Residents’ average commute
16 min
State income tax
Up to 5%
Sources & methodology

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

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