What are the responsibilities and job description for the Physical Therapist II - San Mateo Medical Center (Open & Promotional) position at County of San Mateo?
San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC) is seeking a Physical Therapist II to provide inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services in San Mateo, California. As a member of a collaborative, multidisciplinary team, you will evaluate and treat patients with a wide range of acute and chronic conditions.
Physical Therapists assess functional limitations, establish individualized goals, and develop evidence-based treatment plans that support meaningful outcomes in patients' home, community, and work environments. This role offers the opportunity to improve patients' quality of life by providing evaluations, education, and therapeutic interventions to a diverse patient population.
As part of the County's rehabilitation program, SMMC's Physical Therapists work closely across inpatient and outpatient settings to ensure coordinated, patient-centered care for individuals requiring short- and long-term rehabilitation.
Currently, we have the following vacancy: One Regular, Full-Time vacancy that will flex between Inpatient and Outpatient Settings at San Mateo Medical Center, Tuesday - Saturday.
1. outpatient, pain management clinic practitioner, who may perform telehealth, and in-person, individual, and/or group sessions. Candidate will have interest in working in mind-body medicine and teaching mindful movement groups. Additionally, this position will be a member of an interdisciplinary team. 2. inpatient on acute care and skilled nursing settings.
Schedule may include weekend and holiday coverage as needed.
The ideal candidate will have at least one year of experience providing physical therapy services and be interested in treating patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings. A current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association is strongly preferred.
New and recent graduates with inpatient and outpatient clinical experience gained through internships or independent practice are encouraged to apply. San Mateo Medical Center offers a highly supportive environment with mentorship to foster professional growth and development.
About Us
The San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC) Rehabilitation Department is a collaborative team of 35 physical, occupational, speech, and creative and recreation arts therapists providing comprehensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services. As part of San Mateo County's public health system, we are proud to serve one of the region's most diverse patient populations.
Our therapists care for patients with a broad range of neurologic, orthopedic, post-operative, and other complex conditions, delivering evidence-based, patient-centered care that consistently achieves strong outcomes. We are committed to clinical excellence through ongoing professional development, mentorship, and quality improvement initiatives.
We are seeking a collaborative, compassionate clinician who enjoys working as part of a multidisciplinary team, embraces lifelong learning, and is dedicated to delivering exceptional patient care. With a strong commitment to employee well-being and work-life balance, San Mateo County offers a supportive environment where you can grow professionally while making a meaningful impact in the community.
NOTE: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, term, unclassified, and regular classified vacancies.Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Under medical direction, plan and perform physical therapy for a variety of patients.
- Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team to provide comprehensive treatment to patients.
- Participate in discharge planning and refer patients to community services.
- Provide therapeutic activities to promote independence in daily living activities.
- Plan, organize and participate in physical therapy activities.
- Instruct patients in the use of therapeutic tools and equipment.
- Provide ongoing assessment and documentation of the patient's response to treatment in accordance with hospital standards.
- Determine need for department and patient-related supplies and equipment.
- Maintain cleanliness and organization of treatment areas.
- Perform related duties as assigned.
Licensure/Certification:
- Eligibility for or registration as a Physical Therapist by the State Board of Medical Examiners. Failure to obtain this licensure within twelve months of employment may result in termination.
- Possession of a Certificate of completion for a course in Basic Life Support as approved by the American Red Cross or American Heart Association; or must be obtained within six months of appointment.
Knowledge of:
- Principles and methods of physical therapy, as applicable to all types of cases found in a general hospital providing acute care or in a rehabilitative center.
- Physical and psychological problems of physically disabled, aged, gero-psychiatric and chronically ill patients.
- Use and care of therapeutic tools and equipment commonly used in physical therapy.
- Professional ethics and the fundamental laws of practice for physical therapy.
Skill/Ability to:
- Administer and document physical therapy treatments.
- Assess patient needs, analyze situations accurately and implement an effective plan of action.
- Adapt equipment to patient needs.
- Integrate physical therapy services with other medical and institutional programs.
- Develop new programs in response to patient/department need.
- Explain and teach physical therapy activities to patients, health care professionals and other interested persons.
- Exercise tact and good judgment in dealing with patients, staff, and the public.
- Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
- Act as a consultant/trainer for educational and other staff.
- Lift or assist with lifting patients and equipment.
Education and Experience:
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is one year of supervised experience in physical therapy.
Open & Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, extra-help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination.
The examination process will consist of an application screening (weight: pass/fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination .All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California and applicants must participate at their own expense.IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.
TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Final Filing Date: Tuesday, July 14, 2026 11:59PM PST
Application Screening: Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Combined Civil Service and Department Interviews: Monday, July 27, 2026
About the County
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.
The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.
The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.
Salary : $9,908 - $12,385