PT Jobs in Illinois
PT jobs in Illinois are in steady demand, with the state's large and diverse healthcare infrastructure driving openings from entry-level clinical positions through senior and leadership roles in hospitals, outpatient rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, and school-based settings. Chicago, Peoria, and Rockford are the primary hiring metros, home to anchor systems like Northwestern Medicine, Advocate Health Care, and OSF HealthCare, all of which maintain consistent pt pipelines. Orthopedic and sports rehabilitation, pediatric therapy, and geriatric care are the specialties seeing the heaviest hiring activity across Illinois. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Riverside Healthcare is seeking a compassionate and dedicated Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) to join our Assisted Living and Memory Care team. The CNA will be responsible for providing high-quality, person-centered care to residents, including those with memory impairments such as Alzheimers and dementia. This role involves assisting residents with daily living activities, promoting their independence, and ensuring a safe and supportive environment. The ideal candidate will have a passion for elder care, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work effectively in a team-oriented setting. Demonstrates flexibility with assignments within professional scope/duties/licensure.
Essential Duties
Resident Care:
- Assist residents with daily living activities such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting.
- Provide oral care, skin care, and hair care as needed.
- Help residents with mobility and transferring (e.g., from bed to wheelchair).
- Provide specialized care and support to residents with memory impairments, utilizing techniques to enhance their quality of life and minimize agitation or confusion.
Meal Assistance:
- Monitor and report changes in residents' eating habits or appetite.
Resident Monitoring:
- Regularly monitor residents for changes in physical, mental, or emotional health.
- Report any significant changes or concerns to the Nurse.
- Take and record vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse, and temperature.
- Observe and report any adverse reactions or changes in residents' condition to Nurse.
Housekeeping & Environment:
- Assist with maintaining a clean, safe, and organized living environment for residents.
- Help with light housekeeping tasks such as bed-making, laundry, and tidying up residents rooms.
Documentation:
- Accurately document all care provided and any changes in residents' condition.
- Maintain confidentiality and adhere to HIPAA guidelines.
Resident Interaction:
- Provide companionship and engage residents in meaningful activities and conversation.
- Support residents' emotional and mental well-being through compassionate care.
Collaboration:
- Work closely with other healthcare team members to deliver consistent and coordinated care.
- Participate in service plan meetings and provide input on residents' care plans.
Organizational Compliance:
- Adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including those related to infection control, safety, abuse & neglect and resident privacy (HIPAA).
- Mentor and guide less experienced nursing staff and assist with training new employees.
- Promote a positive and supportive environment for both residents and staff.
- Regularly complete all assigned training modules and courses within the Learning Management System (LMS) to stay up to date on required skills, policies, and industry standards.
Non-essential Duties
- Resident Outings: Assist with resident outings and off-site appointments as needed.
- Administrative Support: Provide support with administrative tasks such as inventory management and supply stocking when required.
- Professional Development: Participate in ongoing training and education to enhance skills and stay current with best practices in assisted living and memory care.
Preferred Experience
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to provide compassionate care.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Physical stamina to assist with resident transfers and other physical tasks.
- Patience, empathy, and a positive attitude towards working with elderly residents, particularly those with memory impairments.
- Basic proficiency in using electronic medical records (EMR) systems.
Required Licensure/Education
- Active CNA certification in Illinois
- BLS
Exposure/Sensory Requirement
Exposure to:
Chemicals: As listed in MSDS manual; chemotherapeutic agents, Disinfectants, room deodorizers, Betadine
Video Display Terminals: Average
Blood and Body Fluids: Blood and urine - High risk - administers direct resident care
TB or Airborne Pathogens: High risk - administers direct resident care
Sensory requirements (speech, vision, smell, hearing, touch):
Speech: Needed to communicate with patient families, ancillary staff, MDs (ex: report on patient status, instruct patient/family re: teaching needs, goals.)
Vision: Needed to see emergency exits/equipment; required to perform assessments of patients status; read orders; operate equipment; change empty bags, recognize and respond to safety
procedures/emergencies.
Smell: Needs to note presence of incontinence, emergency situations (fire, smoke) and assessment of drainage for foul smell.
Hearing: Needed to hear call lights, patient verbalization for assistance, patient concerns, emergency alarms, paging system, communication on telephone and hearing B/P; respond to safety
procedures/emergencies.
Touch: Needed to perform percussive assessments and to comfort patients, manipulate tools/equipment; assess skin conditions and assess pulse.
Activity/Lifting Requirement
Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to:
Sit: 10%
Twist: 20%
Stand: 30%
Crawl: 5%
Walk: 20%
Kneel: 5%
Lift: 20%
Drive: 0%
Squat: 10%
Climb: 5%
Bend: 10%
Reach above shoulders: 5%
The weight required to be lifted each normal workday according to the continuum described below:
Up to 10 lbs: Frequently
Up to 20 lbs: Frequently
Up to 35 lbs: Frequently
Up to 60 lbs: Occasionally
Up to 75 lbs: Not required
Up to 100 lbs: Not required
Over 100 lbs: Not required
Describe and explain the lifting and carrying requirements. (Example: the distance material is carried; how high material is lifted, etc.):
Linen, IV equipment, pumps carried waist high from utility rooms/med rooms to patient rooms. Patient trays are carried waist high from corridor to patient room. Patients lifted from cart to bed in
horizontal position. Patients transferred from bed to chair in an emergency, a patient may be lifted from floor to bed. Fire extinguisher at waist height. Reaching above shoulders to equipment in
overhead storage. If more than 35 lbs. is to be moved, the expectation is that the individual will seek help and if applicable use minimal life equipment.
Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity:
Sit: 20
Twist: 45
Stand: 60
Crawl: 5
Walk: 10
Kneel: 5
Lift: 45
Drive: 0
Squat: 10
Climb: 5
Bend: 10
Reach above shoulders: 5
Repetitive use of hands (Frequency indicated):
Simple grasp Yes 15 lbs. Normal weight: daily
Pushing & pulling Yes 15 lbs. Normal weight: 50-200lbs daily
Fine Manipulation: Transfer to wheelchair, writing skills required. Use of equipment, suction /NG, assisting with ADL's - buttoning, zipping, opening cartons, and packages.
Repetitive use of foot or feet in operating machine control: Not required
Environmental Factors &Special Hazards
Environmental Factors (Time Spent):
Inside hours: 8
Outside hours : 0
Temperature: Normal Range
Lighting: Average
Noise levels: Average
Humidity: Normal Range
Atmosphere: Odors
Special Hazards: Radiation, Chemical, Other: Occasional exposure to s-ray in patient room to agents, frequent exposure to sharp needles, blades.
Protective Clothing Required: As required for Universal Precautions special isolation (gloves, gowns, mask).
Pay Range: USD $18.83 - USD $23.00 /HrSee All 100 PT Jobs in Illinois
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Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
PT Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring


What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in PT jobs across Illinois.
- Active Illinois physical therapist license issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
- Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from a CAPTE-accredited program
- Passage of the NPTE administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy
- Current BLS or CPR certification from an AHA-approved provider
- Experience with electronic medical records systems such as Epic or Cerner
- Specialty certification such as OCS, SCS, or NCS preferred for advanced clinical positions
PT Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a pt in Illinois?
You become a licensed physical therapist in Illinois by earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy from a CAPTE-accredited program, passing the National Physical Therapy Examination, and applying for licensure through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Illinois does not participate in the PT Compact at this time, so out-of-state therapists must apply for a full Illinois license rather than using a compact privilege.
How much do PTs make in Illinois?
PTs in Illinois earn a median of about $36,650 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $31,200 for the lowest 10% to over $48,360 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire pts in Illinois?
Employers hiring pts in Illinois right now include Riverside Healthcare, Evertrue, and Land of Lincoln Goodwill, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Illinois's large integrated health systems, including those with campuses throughout the Chicago metro and downstate markets like Peoria and Springfield, account for the majority of consistent full-time openings.
Which Illinois cities have the most pt jobs?
Chicago, Springfield, and Peoria are the Illinois cities with the most pt openings. Chicago dominates due to its concentration of major academic medical centers, specialty rehabilitation hospitals, and outpatient clinic networks, while cities like Peoria and Rockford reflect the hiring footprint of regional anchor systems such as OSF HealthCare and Mercyhealth that serve large surrounding populations.
Are there remote pt jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Physical therapy is fundamentally a hands-on clinical profession, so most Illinois positions require in-person patient care. About 0% of pt openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, and those roles tend to be concentrated in telehealth consultations, home exercise program supervision, or administrative and clinical education positions rather than direct treatment.
How can I get hired as a pt in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to new graduate residency or fellowship programs, which large Illinois systems including Northwestern Medicine and Advocate Health Care offer in orthopedics, neurologic, and pediatric specialties. Candidates without post-graduation experience should also target PRN or per-diem roles at skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics, where Illinois employers regularly hire new graduates. Completing your Illinois IDFPR license application early and holding a current BLS certification removes the most common early screening barriers.
Where can I find and apply to pt jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to pt jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings from employers actively hiring in the state. Find the roles that fit your specialty, experience level, and preferred metro, then apply directly through each listing.
See All 100 PT Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find PT Jobs in Illinois