Geisinger logo
Geisinger
Pennsylvania

Physical Therapist Assistant - PTA - Per Diem

Physical TherapistIncludes callNo nightsPer Diem

Compensation

Pay not listed

The week · per this posting

Ask the employer about the pay range, the work setting, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 5mo ago

Job Description

Location:

Geisinger Lewistown Hospital (GLH) Shift: Days (United States of America) Scheduled Weekly Hours: 0 Worker Type: Regular Exemption Status: No Job Summary: Works under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist to aid in the total rehabilitation of the patient via use of various modalities, therapeutic exercise, gait training, and functional activities.

Job Duties: Performs a physical therapy treatment program developed by the physical therapist and progresses the patient through the program in a safe and competent manner.

Prepares patient for treatment by explaining the treatment process and positioning the patient for comfort, safety, and optimal response to the treatment. Administers various treatment modalities in a safe and appropriate manner.

Utilizes appropriate active and passive therapeutic exercise programs and equipment safely and effectively such as range of motion, strengthening, stretching, and isokinetic training. Performs gait training, transfer training, and other functional activities.

Performs selected measurement procedures consistently and accurately such as joint range of motion, gross strength of muscle groups, length and girth of body partsand vital signs. Fits patients for and adjusts assistive devices such as canes, walkers, crutches, and wheelchairs appropriate to the patient's diagnosis.

Instructs and trains the patient in the proper use and care of orthoses, prostheses, and assistive devices. Modifies treatment procedures as indicated by patient response to treatment within the limits specified in the treatment plan and discusses treatment changes with the supervising physical therapist.

Provides instruction to patient and family specific to the patient's needs and individual treatment program. Keeps the physical therapist aware of patient's status and any problems that may arise.

Performs discharge planning activities in a timely and effective manner as a member of the rehab team and as directed by the physical therapist. Provides for patient equipment needs when applicable.

Instructs patient and family in home exercise programs, safe performance of mobility skills, and the safe use and operation of equipment as indicated. Performs all documentation responsibilities pertinent to patient care legibly and in compliance with departmental policy.

Work is typically performed in a clinical environment. Accountable for satisfying all job specific obligations and complying with all organization policies and procedures. The specific statements in this profile are not intended to be all-inclusive.

They represent typical elements considered necessary to successfully perform the job. Additional competencies and skills outlined in any department-specific orientation will be considered essential to the performance of the job related to that position.

Position Details: Hours: Per Diem License/ Certification Requirement: Must hold a PA license in Physical Therapy Assistant Education Experience: Completed a training program in Physical Therapy Assistant.

Benefits of Working at Geisinger

401(k) plan that includes automatic Geisinger contributions MyHealth Rewards wellness program to improve your health while earning a financial incentive Family-friendly support including adoption and fertility assistance, parental leave pay, military leave pay and a free Care.com membership with discounted backup care for your loved ones Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Referrals for childcare, eldercare, & pet care.

Access free legal guidance, mental health visits, work-life support, digital self-help tools and more.

Education: Graduate from Specialty Training Program- (Required) Experience: Certification(s) and License(s): Basic Life Support Certification within 30 days - Default Issuing Body, Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant (Pennsylvania) - State of Pennsylvania Skills: OUR PURPOSE & VALUES: Everything we do is about caring for our patients, our members, our students, our Geisinger family and our communities.

KINDNESS: We strive to treat everyone as we would hope to be treated ourselves. EXCELLENCE: We treasure colleagues who humbly strive for excellence. LEARNING: We share our knowledge with the best and brightest to better prepare the caregivers for tomorrow.

INNOVATION: We constantly seek new and better ways to care for our patients, our members, our community, and the nation. SAFETY: We provide a safe environment for our patients and members and the Geisinger family.

We offer healthcare benefits for full time and part time positions from day one, including vision, dental and domestic partners. Perhaps just as important, we encourage an atmosphere of collaboration, cooperation and collegiality.

We know that a diverse workforce with unique experiences and backgrounds makes our team stronger. Our patients, members and community come from a wide variety of backgrounds, and it takes a diverse workforce to make better health easier for all.

We are proud to be an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.

Geisinger is committed to making better health easier for the more than 1 million people it serves. Founded more than 100 years ago by Abigail Geisinger, the system now includes nine hospital campuses, a 550,000-member health plan, two research centers and the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine.

With nearly 24,000 employees and more than 1,600 employed physicians, Geisinger boosts its hometown economies in Pennsylvania by billions of dollars annually. We offer healthcare benefits for full time and part time positions from day one, including vision, dental and benefits for domestic partners.

Perhaps just as important, we encourage an atmosphere of collaboration, cooperation and collegiality. For more information, visit geisinger.org, or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. * Does not qualify for J-1 waiver. We are an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer.

Women and Minorities are Encouraged to Apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability or their protected veteran status.

Key Responsibilities

The Physical Therapist Assistant works under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist to implement rehabilitation programs, including therapeutic exercises and gait training. They are responsible for preparing patients for treatment, monitoring progress, and documenting care in compliance with departmental policies.

Requirements

Candidates must have completed a training program in Physical Therapy Assistant and hold a valid Pennsylvania license. Additionally, a Basic Life Support certification is required within 30 days of hire.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure

Certifications

BLS

Key Skills

Patient rehabilitationRange of motion measurementVital signs monitoringAssistive device fittingPatient documentationHome exercise instruction

Physical Therapist Career Context

In Pennsylvania, the Physical Therapy weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$91k (428 salary observations; 2,178 listings), vs ~$94k nationally (14,786 salary observations; 56,355 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 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).

Top contract/1099 PTA Jobs

12 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution8 jobs

4
<$75k
0
$75k-85k
2
$85k-95k
2
$95k-105k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks12 jobs · 8 employers

401k / retirement match
100% this job
CME allowance
67%
Sign-on bonus
58%
Loan repayment
17%
Relocation assistance
17%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Physical Therapist Assistant

Pivot Physical Therapy · Dallas, Pennsylvania

$52k-$100k
#2

Physical Therapist Assistant (Inpatient) - Acute Rehab Therapies (Full-Time, Days)

Enloe Health · Chico, California

$34.02-$45.93/hr
#3

Home Health Physical Therapist Assistant

$64k-$88k
#4

Physical Therapist Assistant (FT)

$38-$42/hr
+ 10 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 4.8this job 3.0
Better work-life than 20% of Physical Therapist Assistant listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 4,946 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • No nights
  • Includes call
Geisinger logo

About Geisinger

Hospitals and Health Care
Danville, Pa.
10,000+ employees

Benefits & Perks

401(k) plan with automatic Geisinger contributions
MyHealth Rewards wellness program
Family-friendly support including adoption and fertility assistance
Parental leave pay
Military leave pay
Free Care.com membership with discounted backup care
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Healthcare benefits from day one