Part-Time PT Job in Portland, OR Correctional Facilities
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Make a Difference Where It Matters Most
Equipt is now hiring 2 passionate and mission-driven physical therapists to provide care within correctional facilities in Portland, OR.
This is not your typical PT job. It’s a unique opportunity to serve a population that often goes overlooked—bringing mobility, strength, and dignity to individuals who need it most.
Join us to serve with purpose, earn competitively, and grow as a clinician.
Quick Facts About the Job
Job Title: Equipt Physical Therapist
Location: Portland, Oregon
Employment Type: Part-Time
Hours: 15–20 hours/week
Compensation: Up to $75.00/hour
Listed: Tuesday, September 16th, 2025
Status: Available
Why This Role Matters
Inside secure clinic rooms, you’ll help people reduce pain, restore function, and move with dignity. By treating musculoskeletal issues on-site, facilities avoid costly transports and staff time off the floor. Your work delivers better care for patients—and a stronger system for everyone.
What You’ll Do
Provide 1:1 on-site PT sessions (and occasional small-group mobility) in a secure clinic room.
Focus on pain relief, graded strength/mobility, gait/balance, and functional goals (stairs, bunk transfers, work tasks).
Use minimal-equipment approaches; escalate imaging/PCP/specialists when clinically warranted.
Document directly in the facility using streamlined workflows and templates.
Coordinate with facility staff such as nursing, medical directors, case managers, and custody to keep care safe and efficient.
Schedule, Caseload & Tools
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Equipt offers both part-time and full-time positions out of Salem, with the flexibility to start part-time and expand your hours needed.
While an ideal shift runs from 7am-4pm with a 1 hour lunch break, start and end times are flexible based on your availability.
A typical day as a physical therapist inside our Salem Correctional Facility involves one-on-one care for each patient, with sessions lasting 30 minutes.
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The majority of incarcerated patients have general musculoskeletal needs, including hip, back, shoulder, and neck pain, as well as post-operative care.
You may also occasionally treat patients with progressive neurological conditions or amputations, providing a chance to broaden your clinical experience.
Our patient population is diverse: some are extremely active, doing hundreds of push-ups a day, while others are less active and benefit from movement education and health literacy.
Many patients have a history of opioid use and place high value on learning healthy movement strategies and alternative pain management techniques.
The beauty of treating in this facility is that you touch many parts of the patient’s healthcare experience, often advocating for additional care such as cardiovascular health, medication management, diabetes care, or other chronic disease management. You truly serve as a primary musculoskeletal care provider for the population.
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Each facility uses a different EMR process. Depending on the location, you may use the facility’s EMR, Equipt’s EMR, or occasionally paper documentation.
What makes our model unique is that all on-site time is compensated — not just patient-facing hours. That means you’re paid for documentation, care coordination, schedule management, and communication with facility or medical staff. Even time spent entering and exiting the facility is included.
In short: if you’re working for the betterment of this population, you’re paid for it.
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Physical therapy services are provided in a dedicated treatment room located within the medical unit infirmary.
While the space is smaller than a typical PT clinic, it is equipped with a treatment table, desk, bands, soft tissue tools, assistive devices, and other supplies needed for care.
Although the equipment available for in-cell or restricted-area exercises is limited, your most powerful tools are your hands and your clinical expertise to help patients reduce pain and move their best.
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While the idea of working in a correctional facility may seem intimidating, it’s important to know that the majority of incarcerated individuals are normally functioning people who have faced difficult circumstances and are extremely grateful for high-quality healthcare.
Your safety is our top priority. You will never be placed in a compromising situation. All staff receive proper training, and security is present at all times in a busy medical unit with ample oversight.
“I felt safe and prepared from day one—the training and support are real.”
Minimum Job Requirements
Valid physical therapy license in OR.
Currently living in/near Portland, OR.
DRIVE TIME REIMBURSEMENT AVAILABLE
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) and First Aid certification.
Valid driver’s license and auto insurance or reliable transportation.
A strong sense of empathy and compassion for serving others.
A growth mindset with a passion for continuous learning and improvement.
Preferred Qualifications
At least 3 years of professional patient care experience in the orthopedic setting.
Socially conscious, mission-driven, and energized by serving underserved populations.
Confident, versatile clinician comfortable improvising with limited equipment.
Team-oriented communicator who collaborates seamlessly with custody and medical staff.
Adaptable, grounded, and open-minded in unique settings.
How the Application Process Works
Apply Now (2–3 minutes)
Discovery call with a member of the team
Interview #1 with our Chief People Officer
Interview #2 with a therapist who has worked in the correctional health setting
Onboarding & Training
Change lives!
Hourly Compensation
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe? Yes—secure clinic spaces, custody nearby, radios/escorts, and clear protocols. PREA, de-escalation, and site orientation before you treat.
Do I need correctional experience? No—strong outpatient experience is ideal; we train you.
Is this PRN or full-time? Starts PRN/Part-Time (15–20 hrs/wk) with routes to full-time as caseloads expand.
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