What are the responsibilities and job description for the Physical Therapist Assistant position at DCS Clinical?
Physical Therapist Assistant – Santa Ana, CA
Full-Time | Approximately $72,000–$85,000 Annually, Plus Productivity Bonus
Schedule
- Monday–Friday
- Clinic hours range from 7:00 AM–6:00 PM
- Typical schedule is 7:00 AM–4:00 PM or 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
- Eight-hour workday with a one-hour lunch
- Some flexibility may be needed to complete patient care at the end of the day
Position Overview
We are seeking a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant to join an established outpatient orthopedic clinic in Santa Ana, California. This is an immediate opening and the organization’s highest-priority current need.
This position is ideal for a PTA with recent, hands-on manual therapy experience who wants to work in a collaborative environment where manual treatment is a meaningful part of the patient-care model—not simply an occasional addition to exercise-based care.
The PTA works directly with each patient for the first 30 minutes of the visit before transitioning the patient to an aide for the remainder of the session. Patients are typically in the clinic for approximately one hour.
Patient Care Model
- Outpatient orthopedic setting
- Strong emphasis on manual therapy
- First 30 minutes of each visit provided one-on-one by the PTA
- Remaining treatment completed with support from a trained aide
- Approximately one hour of total clinic time per patient
- Collaborative care provided under the direction of a licensed Physical Therapist
- Modern EMR with AI-assisted documentation
Responsibilities
- Implement treatment plans established by the supervising Physical Therapist
- Provide skilled manual therapy and therapeutic interventions
- Guide patients through appropriate therapeutic exercises
- Monitor patient response and communicate progress or concerns to the Physical Therapist
- Educate patients regarding exercises and treatment recommendations
- Coordinate patient transitions to clinic aides when appropriate
- Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation
- Use the clinic’s EMR and AI-assisted documentation tools
- Collaborate with Physical Therapists, aides, and other team members to provide a consistent patient experience
Minimum Qualifications
- Active California Physical Therapist Assistant license
- Current CPR certification or ability to renew as required
- Recent, ongoing manual therapy experience
- Comfortable learning new technology, documentation tools, and clinical workflows
- Strong communication, organization, and patient-care skills
- Collaborative and team-oriented approach
There is no strict minimum number of years of experience. Recent outpatient orthopedic and manual therapy experience is more important than total time in the field.
Candidates whose only manual therapy exposure occurred several years ago, during school, or in a skilled nursing or home health setting may not have the current hands-on background needed for this position.
Compensation
- Approximately $72,000–$85,000 annually
- Additional productivity bonus based on patient volume
- Final compensation will be based on experience, manual therapy skills, and overall fit
Benefits
- Health insurance through Anthem or Kaiser HMO/PPO plans
- Employer pays 50% of the health insurance premium
- HSA and FSA options
- Employee-paid dental insurance through MetLife, typically approximately $20–$40 per month
- Employee-paid vision insurance through Anthem, typically approximately $20 per month
- 10 PTO days during the first year, increasing to a maximum of 15 days by year three
- Five paid sick days
- Six paid holidays:
- New Year’s Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- Approximately $1,000 in annual continuing education support, including an $800 allowance and MedBridge subscription
- 401(k) program
- Reimbursement for California PTA license renewal
- Reimbursement for CPR renewal
Team and Culture
The clinic offers a collaborative, team-focused environment with regular opportunities for employees to connect outside of daily patient care. Team-building activities are held approximately once a week, with several company-wide gatherings throughout the year, including a summer event and an annual Christmas party.
Interview Process
The interview process includes:
- An initial phone interview to discuss experience and overall fit
- An in-person interview that includes an assessment of manual therapy skills, patient interaction, and salary expectations
The organization generally aims to respond to candidate submissions within 48 hours.
About the Area
Santa Ana is centrally located in Orange County and offers convenient access to Irvine, Costa Mesa, Tustin, Anaheim, and surrounding communities. The area features a vibrant downtown, diverse restaurants, arts and cultural attractions, major shopping destinations, and easy access to Southern California’s beaches and outdoor recreation.
Hiring Timeline
This is an immediate opening, and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
Salary : $72,000 - $85,000