Physical Therapist Assistant II

About the Role

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.

About Santa Clara Valley Healthcare (SCVH)

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 (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 (SLRH) has been caring for the residents in Santa Clara and San Benito Counties since 1989, 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 (RMC) is a 265-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.

Typical Tasks

• 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

• 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

Abilities

• 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