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Orthopedics Physical Therapist, Palo Alto

Sutter Health

Palo Alto, CAFull-time$133–186K/yrSeen todaySeen in employer's feed today

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At a glance

Compensation
$133–186K/yr
Location
Palo Alto, CA
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.

Job overview

Sutter Health seeks a Physical Therapist for orthopedic rehabilitation, providing individualized, evidence-based care to patients recovering from orthopedic injuries and musculoskeletal conditions. The role evaluates patients, develops and monitors plans of care, and supports pain reduction, strength, mobility, and functional recovery. OCS certification is highly preferred; candidates who completed an orthopedic residency program are also considered. The posting ideally seeks 3–5 years of orthopedic PT experience.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Orthopedic RehabilitationMusculoskeletal AssessmentTreatment PlanningPatient EducationFunctional RecoveryCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingDecisive JudgmentIndependent WorkRegulatory RequirementsPrioritizationComputer ProficiencyTechnology ProficiencyProfessional CommunicationInterpersonal SkillsConflict ResolutionTeamworkCustomer ServiceCommunity RelationsLearning

Qualifications

Accredited Physical Therapy Program or Valid PT LicensePT License or Approved Applicant or Resident TrainingBLS Healthcare ProviderValid Driver's LicenseAutomobile Insurance2 Years Recent Relevant Experience3-5 Years Orthopedic PT ExperienceOCS CertificationOrthopedic Residency Program

Full job description

We are so glad you are interested in joining Sutter Health!

Organization:

PAMF-Palo Alto Medical Foundation PAD

Position Overview:

Take your orthopedic physical therapy career to the next level in a role where your clinical expertise can make a meaningful difference for patients recovering from orthopedic injuries and musculoskeletal conditions.

We are looking for a skilled Physical Therapist with a passion for orthopedic rehabilitation and delivering individualized, evidence-based care. OCS certification is highly preferred, although we are also excited to consider candidates who have completed an orthopedic residency program. Ideally, you will bring 3–5 years of orthopedic PT experience and a strong foundation in musculoskeletal assessment, treatment planning, patient education, and functional recovery.

In this role, you will evaluate patients, develop individualized plans of care, monitor progress, and use your clinical expertise to help patients reduce pain, regain strength and mobility, and return to the activities they value. You will work collaboratively with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals while also providing supervision and mentorship to assistants, aides, and students as appropriate.

Job Description :

These Principal Accountabilities, Requirements and Qualifications are not exhaustive, but are merely the most descriptive of the current job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, staff changes, workload, or technical development).

EDUCATION:

Graduate of an accredited physical therapy program

OR graduate of an accredited physical therapy program that can be demonstrated with a valid PT license

CERTIFICATION & LICENSURE:

PT-Physical Therapist

OR Will also consider approved license applicant or resident training program employee.

BLS-Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider

DEPARTMENT-SPECIFIC CERTIFICATION & LICENSURE:

Department: Home Health, DL-Valid Drivers License

Department: Home Health, AUTO-Automobile Insurance

TYPICAL EXPERIENCE:

2 years of recent relevant experience

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE :

Critical thinking, complex problems solving, decisive judgement and ability to work independently.

Knowledge and application of professional practice and regulatory requirements.

Must be able to work in demanding work environment, organize multiple priorities completing work duties within expected timelines and requirements.

Computer and required technology proficiency/competencies.

Demonstrates effective and efficient professional communication (verbal & written) skills as well as interpersonal skills, conflict resolution, teamwork/collaboration, customer service and community relations abilities.

Able to retain and apply new knowledge & skills.

Keeps abreast of professional practice development and advancement.

Job Shift:

Days

Schedule:

Full Time

Days of the Week:

Monday - Friday, Variable

Weekend Requirements:

Saturday

Benefits:

Yes

Unions:

No

Position Status:

Exempt

Weekly Hours:

40

Employee Status:

Regular

Sutter Health is an equal opportunity employer EOE/M/F/Disability/Veterans.

Pay Range is $132,662.40 to $185,702.40 / annual salary

The posted pay range is based on the position's primary work location. Candidates who reside and work outside of that location may be subject to a different pay range based on their work location. Candidate starting salaries consider multiple factors, including, but not limited to a candidate’s experience, education, skills, licensure, certifications, departmental equity, training, and organizational needs. Base pay is only one component of Sutter Health’s comprehensive total rewards program. Eligible positions also include a comprehensive benefits package.

How this job compares

Set against the 10,502 open Physical Therapist jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 4, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$133–186K/yr
  • California median$100–125K/yr120 salary ranges
  • US median$85–110K/yr3,037 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $159K, is 41% above the California median midpoint ($113K) — in the top quarter of Physical Therapist salary ranges in California.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 855 open Physical Therapist jobs in California and 10,502 across the US. Under 1% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in California
Experience
This posting asks for at least 2 years of experience; Physical Therapist postings that state a minimum ask for 1 year at the median (2,885 postings).
Education
3,947 of the 10,502 open Physical Therapist jobs (38%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 4, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

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