Per Diem Physical Therapist - Union County, NJ

RWJBarnabas Health; Mountainside (NJ); On-site; USD 92,000 - 124,000; Part time

Job summary

RWJBarnabas Health's Children’s Specialized Hospital in Mountainside, NJ, is seeking a Per Diem School Services Physical Therapist to provide school-based physical therapy within a Union County district.

The role focuses on mobility, participation, and functional independence, collaborating with educators, families, and interdisciplinary teams to deliver educationally relevant therapy while maintaining accurate documentation and professional standards.

Qualifications

• Education: Master's degree or higher from an accredited Physical Therapy program.
• Licensure: Current and unrestricted New Jersey Physical Therapist license.
• Certification: New Jersey School Certification in Physical Therapy required.
• Experience: Pediatric or school-based clinical experience preferred; new graduates encouraged to apply.
• Skills: Knowledge of school-based PT evaluation techniques, planning, mobility/positioning, IEP development, documentation, and collaboration.
• Schedule: Ability to work per diem schedule and travel between assigned locations.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive pediatric PT evaluations and re-evaluations to determine students' needs.
• Develop and implement goal-oriented intervention plans to support mobility and independence.
• Collaborate with educators, families, and school staff to develop IEPs and promote participation.
• Provide clinical recommendations and support for educational planning in team meetings.
• Maintain documentation, billing logs, and reports per policies.

Skills

Pediatric physical therapy

IEP development

Documentation standards

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Physical Therapy

Job description

Per Diem Physical Therapist - Union County, NJ

Req #: 0000266933

Category: Physical Therapy

Status: Per Diem

Shift: Day

Facility: Childrens Specialized Hosp

Department: SPF - School Based Therapies

Pay Range: $78.36 per hour

Location: 150 New Providence Rd, Mountainside, NJ 07092

Job Title: PD Physical Therapist

Location: Mountainside (MTN)

Department Name: SPF - School Based Therapies

Req #: 0000266933

Status: Hourly

Shift: Day

Pay Range: $78.36 - $78.36 per hour

Pay Transparency: The above reflects the anticipated hourly wage range for this position if hired to work in New Jersey. The compensation offered to the candidate selected for the position will depend on several factors, including the candidate's educational background, skills and professional experience.

School Services Physical Therapist - Children's Specialized Hospital, RWJBarnabas Health

At Children's Specialized Hospital, part of RWJBarnabas Health, School Services Physical Therapists play an essential role in helping students achieve meaningful participation, mobility, and success within their educational environments. As a member of our School Services team, you will collaborate with educators, families, and interdisciplinary professionals to provide school-based physical therapy services that support students' functional mobility, independence, access to learning, and participation in school activities. This position offers the opportunity to work within a collaborative, student-centered educational model while making a lasting impact on the lives of children and adolescents with a wide range of developmental and physical needs. Joining Children's Specialized Hospital means becoming part of an organization committed to clinical excellence, innovation, and empowering every therapist to grow professionally while improving outcomes for students and families. This position will provide services to a school district in Union County, NJ.

Typical day for a School Services Physical Therapist may include:

• Conducting comprehensive physical therapy evaluations, re-evaluations, and assessments to determine students' educationally relevant therapy needs
• Developing and implementing individualized, goal-oriented intervention plans that support students' mobility, functional independence, participation, and success in the school environment
• Collaborating with teachers, special educators, related service providers, administrators, and families to develop comprehensive educational plans that promote student access, participation, and achievement
• Participating in Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings and other school team meetings, either in person or through virtual platforms, to provide clinical recommendations and support educational planning
• Providing consultation, instruction, training, supervision, and ongoing support to school personnel regarding therapeutic strategies, mobility techniques, positioning, equipment, and classroom accommodations
• Utilizing educational service delivery models while ensuring physical therapy services align with students' educational goals and district requirements
• Planning and implementing therapeutic interventions that are educationally relevant, functional, and responsive to each student's individual needs
• Maintaining timely and accurate documentation, evaluation reports, treatment records, scheduling, billing logs, databases, and other required documentation in accordance with Children's Specialized Hospital and school district policies
• Managing therapy equipment and maintaining accountability for assigned inventory and materials
• Supporting interdisciplinary collaboration through regular communication with school staff, families, students, and Children's Specialized Hospital School Services leadership
• Participating in continuing education, mandatory training, and professional development activities while maintaining clinical skills and competencies
• Supervising physical therapy clinical fieldwork students, when applicable, and contributing to the development of future clinicians
• Meeting productivity expectations while representing Children's Specialized Hospital with professionalism and a commitment to exceptional school-based care
• Adhering to the Professional Code of Ethics and applicable New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs statutes and regulations governing the practice of physical therapy

This role might be for you if:

• You are passionate about helping children improve their mobility, independence, and ability to participate successfully in their educational environment
• You enjoy collaborating with educators, families, and multidisciplinary teams to support student achievement and participation
• You understand the unique differences between educational and medical models of physical therapy service delivery
• You communicate effectively with students, caregivers, teachers, administrators, and healthcare professionals
• You are organized, adaptable, and able to manage multiple priorities while meeting required timelines
• You enjoy problem-solving and developing creative, student-centered interventions that promote mobility, safety, independence, and functional success
• You are committed to lifelong learning, professional growth, and evidence-based pediatric physical therapy practice
• You value collaboration, compassion, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families
• You are comfortable providing consultation, training, and support to school personnel to promote carryover of therapeutic strategies throughout the student's school day

To Be Considered:

To be considered for this opportunity, you must meet the following criteria:

• Education: Master's degree or higher from an accredited Physical Therapy program.
• Licensure: Current and unrestricted New Jersey Physical Therapist license issued by the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs.
• Certification: Appropriate New Jersey School Certification in Physical Therapy required.
• Experience: Previous pediatric or school-based clinical experience is preferred; new graduates with strong pediatric clinical affiliation or fieldwork experience are encouraged to apply.
• Skills: Demonstrated knowledge of school-based physical therapy evaluation techniques, educationally relevant treatment planning, mobility and positioning strategies, IEP development, documentation standards, student and family education, therapeutic equipment, and interdisciplinary collaboration within an educational setting.
• Schedule: Ability to work a per diem schedule and travel between assigned school locations as needed.

RWJBarnabas Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer