The Physical Therapist evaluates referred individuals, establishes goals, and implements specific treatment programs focusing on improving motor skills, balance, and overall physical function within interdisciplinary team settings. Responsibilities also include providing early intervention services, participating in family planning meetings, and managing documentation and billing accurately.
Requirements summary
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy from an accredited university and must be licensed or eligible for licensure in the State of Illinois, including Illinois Early Intervention credentialing. Eligibility for licensure and credentialing must be maintained throughout employment.
Easterseals Central Illinois is a trusted leader in pediatric therapy, empowering children with developmental delays, disabilities, and special needs to reach their fullest potential. We are seeking a passionate Physical Therapist to join our collaborative team, offering a variety of specialized services designed to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and their families.
In this role, you will have the opportunity to work in
Outpatient
Pediatric
Rehabilitation: Play a crucial role in an interdisciplinary team providing outpatient treatment to children and their families. Your work will focus on improving motor skills, balance, coordination, and overall physical function to enhance daily activities and quality of life.
Assistive
Technology
Clinic: Partner with vendors and funding sources to assess, recommend, and procure adaptive mobility devices, such as wheelchairs and standers, aimed at promoting children's independence and mobility.
Orthotics
Clinic: Partner with vendors to assess, recommend, and procure lower extremity orthotics for children needing increased foot and ankle support to promote improved posture, gait, balance, and flexibility for standing and walking activities.
Serial
Casting: Serial casting serves as a conservative treatment option for children with joint contractures in an effort to avoid more aggressive interventions, such as surgery. Through a steady process, ankle joints with restricted movement are carefully assessed by our physical therapists. Each week, new casts are applied to promote a gradual stretch helping muscles to lengthen, regain function, and restore optimal alignment over time allowing children to move with greater ease.
Early
Benefits
Vacation
Paid Time Off
Professional Development
Personal Time
Sick
401(K) With Employer Match
Paid Holiday Break
CEU Allowance
Event Days
Intervention
Services: Work with children under the age of 3 in natural environments like homes, daycares, and community spaces, providing physical therapy alongside occupational, feeding, and speech-language therapy to support key developmental milestones.
Ongoing mentorship from experienced therapists to help you develop new skills and advance in your career.
Access to specialized training in areas like sensory integration, aquatic therapy, or assistive technology to expand your clinical expertise.
Opportunities to grow within the organization, with pathways for advancement into leadership roles or specialized certifications.
Innovative Tools and Technology
Use advanced therapeutic tools such as specialized sensory integration equipment to enhance your therapy sessions.
Access cutting-edge software for documentation and treatment planning, streamlining your workflow and allowing more time for client care.
Inclusive and Supportive Team Environment
Be part of a supportive, family-oriented culture that fosters collaboration, where your ideas and contributions are valued.
Work with a diverse team of professionals who share a passion for making a difference in the lives of children and families.
See the Impact
What Sets Us Apart
A
Mission with
Impact: For over 100 years, Easterseals Central Illinois has been dedicated to helping children with special needs and their families. With 75 affiliates nationwide, our work impacts more than a million individuals annually.
Balanced
Work-Life: Set schedules with no nights or weekends, ensuring a healthy work/life balance.
Documentation
Time
Included: 60% productivity requirement allows for paid documentation time during work hours. Even if a client cancels, you are paid for your time.
Collaborative,
Multi-Disciplinary
Approach: Work with an interdisciplinary team of Occupational, Physical, Speech, and Feeding Therapists, as well as behavioral and counseling professionals, to provide the best holistic care for our clients.
Accreditation &
Recognition: Easterseals Central Illinois holds an 8th consecutive CARF accreditation for Pediatric Specialty Outpatient Rehabilitation, demonstrating our commitment to the highest quality of care.
Compensation and Benefits
Compensation for this position falls within the range of $28.85 – $38.46 per hour. The final offer may be structured as either an hourly rate or a salary, depending on the role classification, and will consider several individualized factors including relevant experience, scope and responsibilities of the role, qualifications and credentials, talent availability and specialization, and organizational needs. This range is subject to change in the future.
Compensation is just one component of the total rewards package offered for this role. Easterseals Central Illinois offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being of our team members:
Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
Vacation, Sick, and Personal time
Paid Holiday break from Christmas Eve through New Years Day
Event Days: Earn additional PTO hours if you volunteer with us
401(K) with employer match
Professional Development & CEU Allowance
Easterseals qualifies for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness program
All benefits are subject to eligibility, terms, and plan guidelines.
The Physical Therapist functions as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team, providing early intervention and medical rehabilitation services to individuals and their families. The Therapist evaluates persons referred to the Center, establishes goals, and designs and implements specific treatment programs for individuals. The Therapist assigns and supervises treatment programs to be carried out by support personnel where appropriate.
Job Functions
Completes initial evaluation and evaluation report(s) for each client. Establishes individualized therapy goals and generates data for Plan of Care, identifying appropriate treatment diagnoses and therapy recommendations.
Completes progress notes every three to six months or as required.
Provides direct therapy with a focus on client and family priorities addressing functional limitations and participation in daily activities and family routines at service centers, natural environments, and or by telehealth.
Participates in parent/guardian Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) and multidisciplinary and caregiver meetings. Attends medical staffing/case studies to participate in interdisciplinary team discussions.
Reports cancellations and no shows to the scheduling team for proper documentation and action. Accurately completes documentation and billing in EHR following payer guidelines.
Develops and instructs family members in home program activities and revises as necessary. Provides parent/guardian/family training during the session regarding HEP and therapy strategies.
Participates as needed or requested in the smooth transition of an individual to a public school program or other placement as necessary. Corresponds with physicians and other professionals involved in the care/treatment of the client/family as necessary and documents in EHR.
Attends program services meetings, discipline meetings, rehab staff meetings, case studies, and in-services.
Completes competencies and maintains established departmental policies and procedures, safety and infection control standards, quality assurance, and accreditation standards of the Center.
Ensures that all requirements for credentialing and licensure are maintained (e.g. Early Interventions credentialing, CPR, Illinois license, certification).
Provides Assistive Technology Clinic and Orthotic services, including evaluation, equipment orders, fittings, and follow-up as appropriate for clients served.
Marginal Responsibilities
Mentors new staff members as requested.
Fulfills contractual obligations as requested.
Complete letters of medical necessity as needed.
Participate in Clinics as requested.
Supervises clinical students and Physical Therapist Assistants as requested.
Other duties as assigned.
Education/Experience Requirements
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with a degree in Physical Therapy is required.
Must be licensed in the State of Illinois or eligible for licensure.
Illinois Early Intervention credential or eligible for credential.
Easterseals Central Illinois is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Easterseals is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, call 309.686.1177.
Market context
Illinois Physical Therapist demand remains steady
In Illinois, Physical Therapist roles are typically in steady demand across schools, outpatient settings, and other care environments, especially for candidates with a doctoral degree, an active state license, and strong communication skills. These positions can be competitive because employers often look for clinicians who can build rapport quickly, meet licensure and CPR timelines, and work across multidisciplinary teams. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save research time, and confirm your license status and CPR plan before applying.
