What does an acute care travel PT do?

Acute care travel PTs work in hospital inpatient settings — ICUs, step-down units, medical-surgical floors, and orthopedic units. Duties include early mobilization, transfer training, respiratory PT, and discharge planning.

Do acute care travel PTs work in the ICU?

Yes, ICU early mobilization is a core acute care PT skill. You'll work with ventilated patients, perform seated and standing progressions, and collaborate with nursing and respiratory therapy teams.

What experience do you need for acute care travel PT?

Most acute care travel assignments require 1–2 years of acute care experience. ICU-specific roles may require CCRP certification or documented ICU competency. New grads are rarely placed in acute care travel positions.

What gear should acute care travel PTs bring?

A stethoscope and portable BP cuff are essential for acute care PTs. A gait belt, reflex hammer, and pulse oximeter are also useful. Most facilities provide gait aids and transfer equipment.

How much do acute care travel PTs earn?

Acute care travel PT packages typically range from $2,200–$3,800 per week (taxable + stipends combined), with higher pay in high-cost urban hospital systems.

Acute Care Travel PT: Hospital and ICU Assignment Guide

Acute care travel PT assignments place you in hospital inpatient settings — medical-surgical floors, step-down units, ICUs, and orthopedic units. Acute care pays the highest rates in travel PT ($2,800–$3,800/week) and is the most demanding setting, requiring strong clinical independence from day one. Most acute care travel contracts require a minimum of 1–2 years of acute care experience; ICU-focused roles may require CCRP certification or documented ICU competency.

Day-to-day acute care PT work centers on early mobilization, transfer training, respiratory PT for ventilated patients, and discharge planning. You'll collaborate closely with nursing, respiratory therapy, and the medical team. Assessment tools and documentation requirements vary widely by hospital system (Epic, Meditech, Cerner). Gear essentials: stethoscope, portable BP cuff, pulse oximeter, and gait belt — bring your own.