Inpatient Physical Therapist – Per Diem (Weekends/Variable)

Precision-Physical-Therapy-; Santa Cruz (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible per diem hours

On-call pay guaranteed

Job summary

Precision Physical Therapy & Fitness in Santa Cruz is seeking an orthopedic inpatient PT for per diem shifts with guaranteed on-call pay. You will work with adult post-op patients to regain mobility, collaborating with nurses and surgeons in a hospital setting.

Qualifications include a California PT license (PTLA not accepted), at least 6 months of treating PT experience, and BLS/certifications. This role offers flexible hours with a pathway to full-time opportunities.

Qualifications

• California PT license required (PTLA not accepted).
• 6 months experience as treating PT (new grads welcome).
• BLS and required certifications.

Responsibilities

• Provide inpatient physical therapy to adult post-op patients.
• Collaborate with nurses and surgeons to support mobility and recovery.
• Educate patients and families to promote long-term mobility and pain management.
• Possibility to transition to full-time roles.

Skills

Communication skills

Patient-centered care

Education

California PT license (PTLA not accepted)

Job description

About Precision Physical Therapy & Fitness

A unique, mid-size city developed along Central California’s coastline, Santa Cruz is located just 2 hours north of Big Sur, 2 hours south of San Francisco, and 45 minutes west of the heart of Silicon Valley. Ours is a charming beach community including two state-of-the-art colleges and a reputable vacation destination for travelers from all over the world. Santa Cruz County offers epic coastlines, giant redwoods and several locally sourced, artistic city centers. Whether your perfect day includes mountain biking, wind-surfing, stand-up paddle, trail running or a simple stroll to your farm-to-table eatery, sushi bar or artisan ice cream shop, Santa Cruz has it all and year-round sunshine to match. Precision Physical Therapy & Fitness is proud to have been a staple of Santa Cruz County health care and rehabilitative services for over 15 years.

James Vegher, DPT, DNSCP and Chris Christensen, DPT, CSCS, DNSET, Precision's co-owners, partnered to open Precision Physical Therapy & Fitness with the goal to create a teaching and learning environment based on natural human movement where neither therapists nor patients are stifled by preconceptions about physical therapy. With a deep commitment to education, Precision Physical Therapy & Fitness offers mentorship to all new hires. James and Chris believe every patient should leave therapy having met their goals, with a better understanding of their body and tools to stay pain-free for life.

Join our orthopedic inpatient team and enjoyflexible, per diem workwith guaranteed on-call pay! Help adult post-op patients regain mobility while collaborating with nurses and surgeons in a supportive hospital setting.

Why You’ll Love This Role:

• Variable hours (0–9 hrs/day) – choose shifts that fit your schedule
• Guaranteed on-call pay (4 hours at on-call rate) + extra if called in
• Work with 2–5 patients/day, focusing on individual therapy and education
• Opportunity to transition into full-time roles

Qualifications

• California PT license (PTLA not accepted)
• 6 months experience as treating PT (new grads welcome)
• BLS and required certifications
• Strong communication and patient-centered care skills

Onboarding:

4–8 weeks with training specific to inpatient care