Location: Santa Cruz, CA

Start Date: 05-11-2026

End Date: 08-10-2026

Contract Type: Travel Contract

Shift Type: Varied day shifts (8-hour shifts) with coverage between 6:30 AM and 6:30 PM; typically Monday–Friday with a weekend rotation of every other Saturday or Sunday (2 weekend days in a 4-week schedule), option to cover all weekends if desired; day shift (rotating weekends)

Hours per Week: 40

Candidate Pay Rate: $63 per hour

About United Health Care Staffing

At United Health Care Staffing (UHC Staffing), we believe healthcare staffing should be more than just finding a job. We are here to connect amazing professionals with opportunities that make their careers exciting, rewarding, and meaningful. With us, you're not just signing up for a contract you are joining a team that's got your back, answers your calls, and maybe even cracks a joke or two to brighten your day. Think of us as the travel buddy who handles the logistics while you focus on what you do best helping people heal.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Provide skilled physical therapy assessments and evidence-based treatment for inpatient and outpatient rehab patients
• Treat a diverse caseload including spinal cord injuries, TBI, stroke, cardiac rehab, ortho, and other acute diagnoses
• Design and implement therapeutic exercise, gait and balance training, mobility and transfer training
• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary care team (nursing, OT, speech, physicians, aides) to optimize patient outcomes
• Document timely and thorough clinical notes in Cerner and communicate plan of care with the team
• Supervise and coordinate with rehab aides and assistive personnel when applicable
• Participate in unit-specific orientation and ongoing quality improvement initiatives
• Provide patient and family education focused on safe discharge planning and home programs

Qualifications

• Valid PT license appropriate for practice in California (able to submit license)
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required
• Minimum 2 years of acute care physical therapy experience required; 3+ years preferred
• Experience treating orthopedics, neurology, and cardiac rehab cases required
• ICU and acute care experience preferred; outpatient and home health experience a plus
• Comfort working with diverse populations including pediatrics (not required) and patients with physical disabilities
• COVID vaccination documentation required per facility policy
• Spanish-speaking clinicians preferred

Knowledge & Skills

• Proficiency with Cerner electronic medical record charting
• Strong assessment and clinical reasoning skills for acute care and rehab populations
• Experience with mobility, transfers, therapeutic exercise, and assistive devices
• Ability to manage caseloads in a fast-paced hospital environment and float between units
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills for interdisciplinary collaboration
• Familiarity with cardiac rehab protocols and neuro/ortho rehabilitation approaches
• Comfort with bedside cognition assessments and adaptive treatment planning

Benefits

• Supportive team environment that values your skills and work-life balance
• Medical, Dental & Vision coverage options to keep you healthy
• Paid Time Off so you can recharge and explore the coast
• Licensure assistance and reimbursement to keep your credentials current
• Travel reimbursement and housing resources for contract travelers
• Professional development and orientation support (unit-specific training included)
• Referral bonus program — share the love and get rewarded
• Comprehensive onboarding with dedicated staffing captain and unit orientation

Travel Perks: Explore Santa Cruz, CA

Explore Santa Cruz’s famous coastline — stroll the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, surf or watch surfers at Steamer Lane, and relax at Cowell Beach. Hike among towering redwoods at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park or take a scenic drive to Capitola Village for boutique shops and seaside dining. A short drive brings you to Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, and scenic 17-Mile Drive; plenty of farmers’ markets, coastal trails, and weekend getaways to Big Sur and Carmel make this an excellent spot for outdoor lovers.

Hashtags

#PhysicalTherapistJobs #SantaCruzCAJobs #HealthcareJobs #RehabTherapist #CardiacRehab #AcuteCarePT #TravelPT #CernerJobs #BLSRequired #UHCCareers