Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, California is recruiting an experienced inpatient Physical Therapist (PT II) to join a multidisciplinary Rehabilitation Services Department at a 385-bed acute-care hospital designated as both a Level I Trauma Center and a Stroke Receiving Center. The role spans acute care units, an Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF), a Skilled Nursing Facility, and outpatient programs — offering genuine breadth of clinical exposure across orthopedic, medical-surgical, and neuro-rehab populations. A sign-on bonus of up to $20,000 based on experience makes this one of the more competitive PT opportunities in the Coachella Valley.
Perks and Benefits
- Sign-on bonus up to $20,000, commensurate with experience
- Full-time employment with a major health system (65 hospitals, ~510 outpatient sites nationally)
- Access to system-wide employee resources, career development tools, and continuing education support
- Participation in hospital-wide interdepartmental programs supporting professional growth
- Compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws; religious and medical exemption processes available where required
- E-Verify participating employer; equal opportunity workplace with reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals
Practice Highlights
- 385-bed acute-care hospital with Level I Trauma designation and Stroke Receiving Center certification
- Rehabilitation Services spans acute care units, an Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF), a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF), and outpatient programs — including hand and lymphedema specialty clinics
- Patient population ranges from infants through geriatric; service lines include orthopedic, medical, medical-surgical, neuro-rehab, joint replacement, spinal surgery, neurosurgery, ICU, telemetry, and step-down care
- Active multidisciplinary model: therapists participate in daily, weekly, and discharge planning rounds and care conferences across all units served
- Supervisory responsibilities over Physical Therapy Assistants and Physical Therapy Aides as part of the PT II role
- Documentation and practice standards aligned with The Joint Commission, CMS, and California Department of Public Health requirements
- Performance Improvement Program participation — therapists actively monitor and implement quality-of-care changes
- Annual in-service requirement (minimum one per year) to peers on rehabilitation topics, supporting departmental clinical development and program growth
- Day shift: 0800–1630; 10 eight-hour shifts per two-week pay period; some weekend coverage required
- Productivity standards apply to primary cost center; cross-departmental coverage expected to reduce overtime and registry utilization
Qualifications
- Active California Physical Therapy license required, or documented eligibility to obtain one
- Current American Heart Association (AHA) Healthcare Provider BLS certification required at time of hire
- Minimum one year of experience as a licensed Physical Therapist preferred
- Experience supervising Physical Therapy Assistants and Physical Therapy Aides preferred
- Competency across the full age spectrum (infant through geriatric) in assessment, treatment planning, and care delivery
- Proficiency in accurate, timely clinical documentation including evaluations, progress notes, physician communications, prescription updates, authorization verification, and charge capture
About the Community
Palm Springs sits in the Coachella Valley of Southern California, surrounded by the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa mountain ranges — a setting that draws outdoor enthusiasts year-round with hiking, cycling, golf, and the iconic Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The city offers a vibrant arts and dining scene, a relatively affordable cost of living compared to coastal Southern California metros, and easy access to Los Angeles (approximately two hours west) and San Diego (approximately two and a half hours southwest). The desert climate, distinctive mid-century modern architecture, and strong sense of community make Palm Springs a genuinely appealing place to build a career and a life.