Physical Therapist I

Salary : $123,918.08 - $149,922.24 Annually
Location : Throughout the County of Santa Clara, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-R1P-B
Department: County-Wide Recruitment
Opening Date: 08/12/2026
Closing Date: 8/26/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 01


Description
Under supervision, evaluates the physical therapy needs for assigned patients, and develops, implements, and documents treatment plans and goals to meet these needs, in an inpatient and outpatient hospital or California Children's Services (CCS) setting.

The Power of WE : Together, we can make a greater impact. Bringing better care and expanding healthcare services across the community.

Santa Clara Valley Healthcare (SCVH) is the second largest public health care system in California and includes four acute care hospitals, 14 clinics and 60+ specialty and sub-specialty services. Our mission is to provide high-quality, accessible healthcare and excellent service to everyone in Santa Clara County.


Because we serve patients throughout multiple hospitals and clinics, you may have to work at different sites. We will meet any obligations we may have when this occurs.


Santa Clara Valley Medical Center - SCVMC is a full-service tertiary acute care teaching hospital with 699 licensed beds providing a wide range of specialized services, including Rehabilitation, Burn, Trauma, and NICU. SCVMC was ranked by U.S. News and World Report as #6 Rehabilitation Hospital in the nation and #1 in the West and designated as a 2024 High Performing hospital for Maternity Care, Heart Failure, Stroke, Hip Fracture, and Pneumonia.
O'Connor Hospital - O'Connor Hospital (OCH) is a 358 licensed bed acute care facility offering a full range of inpatient and outpatient medical, surgical and specialty programs to residents of Santa Clara County. It was founded in 1889 as one of the first hospitals in the county. OCH has grown significantly over the past five years in both its inpatient volume and its Emergency Department visits. Along with these volume increases other ancillary and clinical departments like imaging, lab, pharmacy, and respiratory have seen growth as well.
St. Louise Regional Hospital - Since 1989, St. Louise Regional Hospital (SLRH) has been caring for the residents in Santa Clara and San Benito Counties, offering a wide range of inpatient and outpatient medical specialties. SLRH has 93 beds, is a Designated Primary Stroke Center, and is the only acute care hospital in the area. Located in Gilroy, SLRH maintains a CALSTAR 2 emergency helicopter base on the premises.
Regional Medical Center - Regional Medical Center (RMC) is a 258-bed hospital that is the main emergency healthcare provider for East San José, treating a wide range of critical and life-threatening conditions for more than 60 years. Since the SCVH integration of RMC effective 4/1/25, RMC has expanded the critical services including Level II trauma, Thrombectomy capable Stroke Center and STEMI care, and has been seeing an increased number of emergency visits and inpatient volume.
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Typical Tasks

Patient Care

• Performs relatively routine patient care with fundamental skills in clinical reasoning, problem-solving and treatment interventions;
• Examines, evaluates, and tests individuals with mechanical, physiological and developmental impairments, functional limitations, and disability or other health and movement-related conditions;
• Determines diagnosis of the physical impairments or movement-related functional limitations, prognosis, plan of therapeutic intervention and frequency/duration of intervention;
• Designs, implements, and modifies therapeutic interventions to alleviate movement-related impairments, functional limitations and disabilities. Interventions may include, but are not limited to, the following: therapeutic exercise; movement-related functional training; gait training, manual therapy including soft tissue and joint mobilization; therapeutic massage; airway clearance techniques; integumentary protection and repair techniques; debridement and wound care; and physical agent, mechanical and electrotherapeutic modalities;
• Evaluates for, recommends, applies and, as appropriate, fabricates movement- related assistive, adaptive, protective, prosthetic and supportive devices and equipment, and trains patients in their use;
• Integrates examination, evaluation, movement-related diagnosis, prognosis and intervention in a manner designed to maximize outcomes, and modifies treatment accordingly;
• Provides patient and family/caregiver education and training;
• Performs indirect patient care duties that may include: communicating/coordinating care with patients, families/caregivers, and other professionals; discharge planning; documenting all elements of patient management; participating in patient care conferences; reviewing medical records; charging for patient care; referring to other professionals or resources;
• Works to prevent injury, impairment, movement-related functional limitation or disability including the promotion and maintenance of fitness, health and quality of life for all age groups;
• Performs the tasks listed above for an assigned caseload of patients.

Clinical Supervisory Responsibilities

• May supervise volunteers and students.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Assumes selected responsibilities of other staff during temporary absences;
• May assist with selected aspects of the orientation and training of new service personnel;
• May assist in the day-to-day operations of assigned service.

Professional Development

• Participates in internal and external professional and educational activities to enhance personal and professional growth;
• Participates in research as appropriate;
• Assists with program development as assigned;
• Provides guidance to interns, Physical Therapist Assistants and Therapy Technicians;
• May be assigned as Disaster Service Worker, as required;
• Other related duties as assigned.

Employment Standards


Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:


Training and Experience Note : The required knowledge and abilities are attained through a valid license, or proof of application for licensing, from the Physical Therapy Board of California, to practice as a Physical Therapist in the State of California. Must pass the next scheduled examination as detailed in Article 2 of the State of California "Physical Therapy Regulations" or be released from position.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, methods, equipment and theory of the practice of Physical Therapy;
• Pathologies and injuries that result in physical impairment;
• Evaluation and treatment methodologies as applied to routine patient care;
• Regulatory practice requirements.

Ability to:

• Develop, implement and adapt treatment programs;
• Evaluate patients and interpret clinical data and make clinical judgments;
• Write clearly and concisely;
• Communicate effectively with patients, staff, and other health professionals;
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with others;
• Efficiently manage time and priorities;
• Demonstrate appropriate patient handling skills;
• Reach, grasp, manipulate and carry a variety of objects;
• Assist, support, lift and transfer patients.

The County offers comprehensive first-class medical, dental, and vision benefits plans for County employees and their dependents, including plans with no deductibles, no co-pays, no co-insurance, and no prescription drug co-pays. Learn more


The County also offers generous paid time off with significant vacation, sick time, and 13 paid County holidays annually! Details are included in the with the bargaining unit applicable to the job classification.

In addition to the amazing perks above, the County also offers the additional benefits below.

Retirement Benefits
The County offers robust retirement plans including a (similar to the private sector's 401(k) plan) and the In addition to lifetime retirement income available through the CalPERS pension plan, the 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan provides a great way to save for retirement and supplement the defined benefit pension available to employees. These plans help our employees build a plan for their future and contribute to their family's long-term financial well-being.

Health Flexible Spending Account
The empowers employees to manage healthcare expenses efficiently with tax-free contributions (up to $3,200 for the 2024 calendar year). Secure tax-free solutions for your healthcare expenses and enjoy the flexibility to manage your healthcare finances effectively with the HFSA.

Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)
The enables employees to utilize tax-free funds for dependent care services, facilitating a convenient and cost-effective approach for managing your dependent care expenses. The County also offers the , an employer-funded DCAP, for employees with annual income under $120,000.

Life and AD&D
The County offers life and disability benefits including , Insurance, These benefits ensure financial security and income support when you and your family need it most.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The County prioritizes employee mental health and well-being and offers a top-tier through Concern providing confidential counseling sessions covering stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, as well as financial/legal services, personal coaching, child and elder care referrals, and comprehensive crisis support.

Employee Wellness
The offers free wellness programing, fitness classes and resources; including Elevate My Wellness an all-in-one platform designed to elevate your well-being journey.

Education Reimbursement
A generous program is available, including Education Reimbursement for employees seeking additional training and professional development.

NOTE : Benefit and Retirement information may vary from bargaining unit to bargaining unit. Due to changes in State Law, current pension provisions described in the union contracts are not automatically applied. Specific pension benefits for new hires who start on or after January 1, 2013 may be different than indicated in the union contracts.

Click here to access all Memoranda of Understanding and most recent Summary of Changes.
01


Please answer the following questions. Completion of the following supplemental questions is REQUIRED for your application and is an integral part of the evaluation process. Initially, it will be used to determine minimum qualifications. For those applicants meeting the employment standards, this information will be critical in the subsequent competitive assessment to identify those candidates to be invited to continue in the examination process. Your responses to the questions may also be reviewed and scored in a Competitive Rating evaluation process based on pre-determined rating criteria. Your answers should be as complete as possible, as no additional information will be accepted from applicants once the Competitive Rating process has begun. Please include the name of employer, job title, dates of employment and number of hours worked per week for questions asking about your experience. A response of "see resume" or "see application" will deem your application incomplete. Vague, incomplete or non-responsive answers could result in no or low scores in a competitive rating process. Do you understand this requirement?

• Yes
• No

02


Do you possess a license to practice as a Physical Therapist in California, or status as a Physical Therapist license applicant, issued by the Physical Therapy Board of California?

• Yes
• No

03


If you marked yes on the above question, please list your license number and expiration date. If you do not have a license please write "none."
04


How many years of clinical experience do you possess in the Physical Therapy Services field?

• None
• Less than a year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more

05


Please describe your clinical experience as a Physical Therapist. Please include the name of employer, job title, duties performed, dates of employment and number of hours worked per week. If none, write "none."
06


Please identify the hospital you are currently working at. If none, please select n/a.

• Valley Medical Center
• Public Health CCS
• 0'Connor
• El Camino
• Fremont
• Good Samaritan
• Kaiser
• San Francisco General
• San Jose Regional
• St Louise
• Stanford
• VA Health Care System
• Washington
• Other
• N/A

07


Do you possess physical therapist clinical experience at the Santa Clara Valley Healthcare System?

• Yes
• No

08


If you marked yes on the above question, please list the hospital(s) in the Santa Clara Valley Healthcare System you have clinical experience at? If no, please write "none."
09


Please select from the list below your area(s) of clinical experience (check all that apply).

• California Children's Services (CCS)
• Cardiac
• Hospital Acute Care
• Neurologic Outpatient
• Orthopedics Outpatient
• Pediatric Inpatient
• Pediatric Outpatient
• Rehab Inpatient
• Home Health
• Private Practice Clinic
• School Based
• Skilled Nursing Facility
• Student Practice Only
• Other

10


Please describe your experience in the clinical areas in which you have worked. Please include the name of employer, job title, duties performed, dates of employment and number of hours worked per week. If none, write "none."
11


The Department of California Children's Services (CCS) serves children who have disabling conditions, generally neurological or musculoskeletal disorders. Are you interested in working for CCS?

• Yes
• No

12


If you answered yes to the above question, describe your experience working with adolescents and young adults with neurological or musculoskeletal disorders.
13


Do you possess experience using EPIC or Healthlink programs?

• Yes
• No

14


Please describe your experience using EPIC or Healthlink programs. If none, write "none."
15


Please select from the list below your area(s) you would be interested working at.

• California Children's Services (CCS)
• Cardiac
• Hospital Acute Care
• Neurologic Outpatient
• Outpatient Orthopedics
• Pediatric Inpatient
• Pediatric Outpatient
• Rehab Inpatient

16


Please select any specialized Physical Therapy certification that you possess. If none, mark "N/A."

• Hand Therapy
• Lymphedema Therapy
• Pelvic Floor Therapy
• Other
• N/A

17


If you marked other to the above question, please let you certification below.
18


Please complete this survey carefully. Your responses will determine whether or not you will be referred for a specific position (i.e., geographical location). Please place a mark next to the location(s) in which you would be willing to work.

• Public Health -California Children's Services
• SCVHC - Valley Medical Center
• SCVHC - O'Connor Hospital
• SCVHC - Regional Medical Center
• SCVHC - Saint Louise Regional Hospital
• SCVHC -Morgan Hill Clinic Outpatient Orthopedic

19


How did you find out/hear about this job?

• In Person Job Fair
• Contacted by County Recruiter
• Email Newsletter
• Virtual Event
• Community Event
• Social Media: Facebook or Instagram
• County of Santa Clara Job Interests Email Notification
• Student Career Center
• Handshake
• Professional Association
• Contacted by an External Staffing Firm
• Hospital Website
• Search Engine (Google, Bing, online search, etc.)
• Governmentjobs.com
• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• Employee Referral: Friends, Families and Coworkers
• County of Santa Clara Career Website
• Other (Specify in the next question)

20


How did you find out about this job? If "Other" is selected: Please describe how you heard about this job.
Required Question