Pediatric Physical Therapist (PT) - Chicago (WL)
Listed compensation
$74k-$85k
The week · per this posting · Monday – FridayWeekdays only
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations and time off.
Job Description
Pediatric Physical Therapist (PT) – Therapeutic Preschool and Kindergarten Program
1233 W. Adams St. Chicago, IL 60607 | Clinic-Based | Monday–Friday, 8 AM–4:30 PM - no evenings or weekends.
Compensation & Benefits
- Total Compensation Package: Valued between $91,000–$105,000.
- Annual Salary: $74,000–$85,000, based on experience and qualifications.
- Annual Increases: Annual merit-based increases.
- Comprehensive Benefits Packages: Medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, Flexible Spending Account (FSA), and employee assistance programs.
- Paid time off and holidays: Generous PTO, 7 paid holidays, plus 1 floating holiday.
- Growth and Learning: Continuing education and approved CEUs with annual reimbursement increases.
Professional Advancement: Opportunities to develop skills and take on additional leadership responsibilities, including: Department Head, Department Lead, Onboarder, and CPI Instructor, CPR Instructor
Mentorship and Supervision: Opportunities to mentor others within your department in addition to student supervision
401(k) Retirement Plan: Available for all employees; company match $1 for $1 for first 3% and $.50 for $1 up to another 2%.
Flexibility For New Parents
Apply today at threebirdsonemission.com/careers to join our mission of empowering children with neurodiverse needs to succeed!
Job Description Summary
As a Pediatric Physical Therapist (PT) at Blue Bird Day, you will provide physical therapy to children ages 2-7 years old with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, sensory processing disorder, and other neurodiverse needs. You'll foster each child's mobility, gross motor development, and functional independence growth.
Responsibilities
- Provide individualized and rotation therapy.
- Implement therapeutic approaches such as DIR/Floortime, Developmental Treatment, Motor Skills Acquisition, and Intentional Relationship Model (IRM).
- Collaborate daily with occupational and speech therapists and social workers.
- Document progress and communicating with families to support continuity of care.
Knowledge and Skills Required
- Master's or Doctorate Degree of Physical Therapy
- Active Illinois Licensed Physical Therapist license through IDFPR
- Experience providing PT services to children with autism and/or other neurodevelopmental differences
Working Environment and Physical Demands
- Ability to lift at least 35 lbs, including but not limited to lifting children, therapy equipment etc.
- Ability to walk and/or run if needed to keep clients safe.
- Ability to implement behavior management techniques, based on training provided by the company.
- Ability to use hands and arms to prepare and perform required therapy tasks.
- Ability to utilize keyboard, desktop, and ipad to complete documentation required for funders.
The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Why Join Blue Bird Day?
Blue Bird Day is a leading specialized intensive pediatric therapeutic day program in Chicago, IL. We provide a supportive, team-oriented culture that allows you to focus on helping children in a play-based setting. You'll make an impact by collaborating with a multidisciplinary team in a clinic that prioritizes growth and evidence-based therapeutic interventions.
Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
Blue Bird Day is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. As such, it is the policy of the Company that hiring, training, employment advancement, compensation, benefits, and terms and conditions of employment shall be determined without regard to race, ancestry, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and medical conditions relating to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, order of protection status, marital status, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, arrest record (or criminal history record ordered expunged, sealed, or impounded), or as otherwise prohibited by law.
Requirements
Requires a Master's or Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy and an active Illinois state license. Candidates must have experience providing physical therapy services to children with autism or other neurodevelopmental differences.
Qualifications
- Education
- Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Pediatric Physical Therapist (PT) - Chicago (WL) at Blue Bird Day a 6.4 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Pediatrics (Physical Therapy) — ranked against 503 active Pediatrics (Physical Therapy) listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no weekend requirements, no night shifts.
Pediatrics — Physical Therapist Career Context
Of the 50 active Pediatrics listings this role was benchmarked against, 42% have no call, 74% require no weekends.
Pediatrics pay on WeekdayDoc is up 1.7% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).
The cost-of-living index for Illinois is 100.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$80k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $80k in an average-cost state. 62.6% of Illinois clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
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