Senior Physical Therapist – Regular and Per Diem Pool

County of Ventura; Santa Paula (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Educational incentive

Certification pay

Overtime eligibility

Job summary

County of Ventura is seeking a Senior Physical Therapist to evaluate referred patients and design, coordinate, and administer comprehensive physical therapy programs to support rehabilitation goals. The role provides leadership through training and mentoring of staff physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, aides, volunteers, and students to ensure high standards of patient care.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate clinical leadership, strong mentoring abilities, and sound clinical

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school of physical therapy or proof of equivalency.
• Two years of physical therapy experience OR successful completion of an internship program with the hiring department or an equivalent training program and one year of experience as a physical therapist.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates patients to determine physical therapy needs and therapeutic goals.
• Develops and modifies individualized treatment plans with physicians, patients, families, and staff.
• Provides therapy and interventions to improve physical, functional, and cognitive outcomes.
• Applies and instructs use of adaptive equipment and splints.
• Educates patients and families on treatment plans, home programs, and strategies for independence.
• Coordinates therapy services and communicates with physicians, caregivers, and the healthcare team.
• Provides clinical supervision and training to staff, assistants, aides, students, and volunteers.
• Maintains accurate documentation of evaluations, plans, interventions, and outcomes.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Mentoring

Clinical judgment

Team development

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy or equivalent

Internship program with department or equivalent training

Job description

THE POSITION

Under general direction, this physical therapist position evaluates referred patients and designs, coordinates, and administers comprehensive physical therapy programs to support rehabilitation goals. This role provides leadership through the training, and mentoring of staff physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, aides, volunteers, and students, ensuring high standards of patient care and professional practice.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate is a clinically skilled and experienced physical therapist with strong leadership and mentoring abilities. They demonstrate sound clinical judgment, a commitment to high-quality patient care, and the ability to guide and develop team members.

EDUCATIONAL/BILINGUAL INCENTIVE

Incumbents may be eligible for educational incentive of 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% based on completion of an Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degree that is not required for the classification. Incumbents may also be eligible for bilingual incentive depending upon operational need and certification of skill.

CERTIFICATION PAY

Incumbents in the Sr. Physical Therapist classification may be eligible for certification pay at a rate of $0.80 per hour up to a maximum of three (3) certifications.

DEPARTMENT/AGENCY

Health Care Agency – Ventura County Medical Center and Santa Paula Hospital

Senior Physical Therapist is represented by the Services Employees International Union (SEIU) and is eligible for overtime compensation.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-Term), Intermittent, and Extra Help vacancies for this or similar positions only. There is currently one (1) Per Diem Pool vacancy.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

OPENING DATE: 9/25/26

CLOSING DATE: Continuous and may close at any time; therefore, the schedule for the remainder of the process will depend upon when we receive enough qualified applications to meet business needs. It is to your advantage to apply as soon as possible.

Examples Of Duties

• Evaluates and continually assesses patients to determine physical, functional, communication, behavioral, and/or developmental status and therapeutic needs; performs tests and measures within the scope of the assigned profession;
• Develops, implements, and modifies individualized treatment plans and therapeutic programs in collaboration with physicians, patients, families, caregivers, and other members of the healthcare team to address identified needs and achieve appropriate functional goals;
• Provides therapy and therapeutic interventions to individuals and groups using techniques and activities designed to maintain or improve physical, functional, communication, self-care, vocational, social, and mental health outcomes;
• Applies, modifies, and fabricates therapeutic devices and adaptive equipment, including static and dynamic splints, and provides instruction in their appropriate use to improve patient function and independence;
• Provides patient and family education and counseling regarding treatment plans, therapeutic techniques, home programs, adaptive equipment, and strategies to support achievement and maintenance of functional goals; provides vocational guidance, training, and placement services, as appropriate;
• Coordinates therapy services and communicates regarding patient care with physicians, patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, other members of the therapeutic team, and outside agencies; participates in the development and coordination of specialized treatment programs.
• Maintains accurate and timely clinical documentation of patient evaluations, treatment plans, interventions, status, progress, and outcomes in accordance with applicable requirements and departmental procedures; participates in the IEP process and represents the Medical Therapy Program, as assigned;
• Provides clinical supervision, training, instruction, and guidance to staff therapists, assistants, aides, students, volunteers, speech assistants, and other personnel; provides in-service training and assists with educating staff and community agency personnel regarding therapeutic programs and practices;
• Participates in departmental program planning, quality improvement, and operational activities, including identifying and prioritizing needs, developing and evaluating programs, maintaining equipment, recommending and ordering supplies, and improving organizational performance; and
• Performs other related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications

These are entrance requirements to the exam process and ensure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

A broad background consisting of education, training, and/or experience which would provide the knowledge and abilities to perform in the area of Physical Therapy:

A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school of physical therapy or proof of equivalency, plus two (2) years of physical therapy experience OR successful completion of an internship program with the hiring department or an equivalent training program and one (1) year of experience as a physical therapist.

Necessary Special Requirements

• Possession of a current valid license as a Physical Therapist issued by the State of California OR must be eligible to apply for and obtain a valid California Physical Therapist license within the probationary period. Once obtained, a current valid California Physical Therapy License is a condition of continued employment.
• Available to work on some weekends and holidays with little advanced notice
• Possession of a current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certificate by hire date. Once obtained, it is a condition to continued employment.
• Must possess the physical ability to lift and carry fifty (50) pounds.
• Livescan fingerprinting clearance will be required prior to appointment

DESIRED

• Experience providing physical therapy services in an inpatient hospital setting, including evaluating and treating patients with acute and complex medical conditions, developing individualized treatment plans, and collaborating with members of a multidisciplinary healthcare team to support safe mobility, functional independence, and discharge planning.

Thorough knowledge of

• Principles and practices of rehabilitation for individuals with physical, speech, occupational, developmental, or mental disabilities
• Human anatomy, physiology, and basic pathology associated with diseases and injuries resulting in physical, speech, or functional disabilities
• Therapeutic principles, techniques, and equipment used in individual and group physical, speech, occupational, recreational, and/or music therapy
• Physical therapy treatment methods, including manual therapy techniques, therapeutic exercise, and the use of treatment equipment
• Departmental policies, procedures, and processes related to the delivery and documentation of therapy services.

Ability to

• Provide leadership and instruction in rehabilitation therapy activities and techniques to patients, families, staff, and other personnel
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with patients, physicians, coworkers, and members of the multidisciplinary team
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, families, physicians, coworkers, and other healthcare professionals
• Plan, coordinate, and supervise the work of others
• Observe, assess, and analyze patient situations accurately and take appropriate and effective action
• Prepare accurate reports and maintain records for patient care and case histories
• Work cooperatively as a member of a multidisciplinary team to coordinate patient care and achieve treatment goals.

Recruitment Process

FINAL FILING DATE: This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time; therefore, apply as soon as possible if you are interested. Your application must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources in Ventura, California, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.

Note to Applicants

It is essential that you complete all sections of your application and supplemental questionnaire thoroughly and accurately to demonstrate your qualifications. A resume and/or other related documents may be attached to supplement the information in your application and supplemental questionnaire; however, it/they may not be submitted in lieu of the application.

LATERAL TRANSFER OPTION

If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE – Qualifying

All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this exam at the time of filing. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the exam process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in the application being removed from consideration.

APPLICATION EVALUATION – Pass/Fail

An application evaluation will be conducted to determine whether each applicant possesses the required licensure, certification, and experience for this recruitment. Those candidates who meet the requirements will be placed on the eligible list.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

A thorough pre-employment, post offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, and driving record may be required for this position.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.