Orthopedics Physical Therapist, Palo Alto
Listed compensation
$133k-$186k
The week · per this posting · Monday – Friday
Weekend work is also flagged as required; confirm which days and how often.
Ask the employer about call expectations and time off.
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.
Key Responsibilities
Evaluate patients and develop individualized plans of care to help them reduce pain and regain mobility. Provide supervision and mentorship to assistants, aides, and students while collaborating with other healthcare professionals.
Requirements
Requires a graduate degree from an accredited physical therapy program and a valid PT license. Candidates should have 3-5 years of orthopedic experience and possess strong musculoskeletal assessment skills.
Qualifications
- Education
- Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Orthopedics Physical Therapist, Palo Alto at Sutter Health a 6.4 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Orthopedic Surgery (Physical Therapy) — ranked against 419 active Orthopedic Surgery (Physical Therapy) listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no night shifts.
Orthopedic Surgery — Physical Therapist Career Context
Sutter Health ranks #2 of 11 employers hiring Physical Therapist on WeekdayDoc by average advertised pay.
Of the 50 active Orthopedic Surgery listings this role was benchmarked against, 8% are remote, 56% have no call, 48% require no weekends.
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Work-life score | 6.4 / 10 · above average in orthopedic surgery (physical therapy) | ranked against 419 Orthopedic Surgery (Physical Therapy) listingslisting-based score, 0–10 |
| Listed pay | $133k–$186k | Orthopedic Surgery median $118k (middle half $95k–$134k)976 comparable listings, Nov 2026 |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$144k in purchasing power | California index 110.7 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Orthopedic Surgery listings in California | 25 active | 419 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 8% remote · 56% no call · 48% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | California Physical Therapist listings: 21% state a sign-on bonus (median $10k) · 9% offer loan repayment1,000 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New Orthopedic Surgery listings | 349 in the last 30 days | 218 the 30 days before (+60%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Orthopedic Surgery pay trend | +1.7% vs prior quarter | —through Oct 2026 |
| Sutter Health | #2 of 11 for pay | Top Employers work-life index |
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