Salary : $97,319.04 - $115,631.36 Annually
Location : Throughout the County of Santa Clara, CA
Job Type: Full-Time/Part-Time
Job Number: 26-R64-B
Department: Santa Clara Valley Health Care - Valley Medical Center
Opening Date: 08/28/2026
Closing Date: 9/14/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 01

Description

Under supervision, to assist a Physical Therapist by administering patient treatment within the parameters of a specific treatment plan, to assist with modifying treatment plans and to act as a clinical instructor for Physical Therapist Assistant students and interns.

Typical Tasks

Under direction of a Physical Therapist:

• Directs and assists patients in performing therapeutic exercises such as passive, active and resistive exercises either manually or by using resistive devices;
  
• Instructs and assists patients in practicing various functional activities;
  
• Instructs patients in use of assistive devices (canes, walkers, crutches) and other aspects of gait training;
  
• Applies therapeutic modalities such as ultrasound, hot and cold packs, and whirlpool;
  
• Applies orthotics, prosthetics, corsets and elastic bandages;
  
• Informs Physical Therapist regarding patient progress and suggests modifications to treatment plan program;
  
• Participates in division and service meetings;
  
• Instructs patient and family regarding prescribed home program;
  
• Acts as clinical instructor for Physical Therapist Assistant students and interns;
  
• Maintains working area and equipment in a clean and orderly state;
  
• May conduct Graded Exercise (GXT) tests, monitor blood pressure and pulse or debride and dress wounds (depending on area of assignment);
  
• Performs related duties as required.

Employment Standards

A license to practice as a Physical Therapist Assistant in California, or status as a Physical Therapist Assistant license applicant, issued by the Physical Therapy Board of California.

Sufficient experience to enable a candidate to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge and abilities:

Experience Note: Normally a candidate would acquire the qualifications listed below to the degree necessary in this class through two years of clinical experience as a Physical Therapist Assistant and through clinical continuing education programs beyond the normal two year program required for state certification.

Knowledge of:

• Therapeutic modalities used in physical therapy;
  
• Procedures for gait training;
  
• Procedures for a standard range of therapeutic exercises for increasing strength, range-of-motion and endurance;
  
• Body mechanics and techniques for functional activities;
  
• Equipment and assistive devices used in physical therapy.
  
  Ability to:
  
• Work effectively and communicate clearly with severely impaired patients who may not comprehend or be receptive to verbal instructions;
  
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing;
  
• Apply clinical instructional skills in training PTA students and interns;
  
• Exercise good judgment in assessing the progress of patients and making recommendations to the Physical Therapist;
  
• 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 currently possess a license to practice as a Physical Therapist Assistant in California, or possess status as a Physical Therapist Assistant license applicant, issued by the Physical Therapy Board of California?

• Yes
• No

03

Please provide your license number below:
04

Do you possess at least two (2) years of clinical experience as a Physical Therapist Assistant?

• Yes
• No

05

If you answered 'Yes', describe your clinical experience as a Physical Therapist Assistant. If none, enter 'N/A'.
06

Have you attended/enrolled in clinical continuing education programs beyond the normal two year program required for state certification?

• Yes
• No

07

Please list the clinical continuing education programs you have attended beyond the normal two year program required for state certification. If none, enter 'N/A'.
08

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

• Hospital Acute Care
• Cardiac
• Burns
• Wounds
• Pediatric Inpatient
• Pediatric Outpatient
• Skilled Nursing Facility
• Home Health
• Private Practice Clinic
• School Based
• Rehab Inpatient
• Rehab Outpatient
• Neurologic Outpatient
• Outpatient Orthopedics

09

Describe your experience working as a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant. Include the areas of experience and types of diagnoses you have treated. Please include the name of employer, job title, duties performed, dates of employment and number of hours worked per week. If none, write "none."
10

Do you possess clinical experience at the Santa Clara Health and Hospital System?

• Yes
• No

11

Do you possess experience using EPIC or Healthlink programs?

• Yes
• No

12

In which location(s) are you interested in working? (Check all that apply)

• Public Health- CCS
• Hospital System -Valley Medical Center
• Hospital System- O'Connor Hospital
• Hospital System - Saint Louise Regional Hospital
• Hospital System - Regional Medical Center

13

What alternate shifts (code status) are you willing to work? (check all that apply)

• .5 (20 hours per week)
• .6 (24 hours per week)
• .8 (32 hours per week)
• 1.0 (40 hours per week)

14

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)

15

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