Shape Lives and Thrive by the Pacific as a Licensed Occupational Therapist in San Diego, California

Overview

Are you a dedicated Occupational Therapist who finds deep purpose in helping people reclaim the moments that matter most to them? If you're searching for a role that blends clinical excellence with a lifestyle that genuinely recharges you, San Diego, California may be exactly where your next chapter begins.

We are actively looking for a full-time, licensed OTR/L to step into a thriving, collaborative rehab team that puts patient outcomes and professional growth at the center of everything it does. Whether you're a seasoned occupational therapist or an ambitious early-career clinician ready to make your mark, this position offers the kind of environment where meaningful work and personal fulfillment don't have to compete.

Job Description

• Design Individualized Treatment Plans: Conduct thorough patient evaluations to identify functional limitations and develop goal-oriented therapy programs tailored to each person's unique needs
• Deliver Evidence-Based Interventions: Apply clinically proven techniques to improve patients' fine motor function, cognitive performance, and ability to perform activities of daily living
• Collaborate Across Disciplines: Partner with physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, physicians, nurses, and case managers to deliver seamless, whole-person care
• Empower Patients and Families: Provide hands-on education and practical guidance to patients and caregivers so that progress continues well beyond the therapy room
• Track Outcomes and Refine Care: Maintain accurate clinical documentation, monitor patient progress consistently, and adapt treatment plans in real time to keep recovery on track

Education

• Degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited college or university
• Post-graduate certifications and continuing education are enthusiastically supported

Certifications

• Current, active OTR/L licensure in the state of California
• NBCOT (National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy) certification required

Skills

• Genuine passion for helping patients recover independence and rediscover their sense of self
• Warm, clear communication skills that put patients, families, and teammates at ease
• Creative problem-solving and the flexibility to adapt care plans to a wide range of presentations
• Comfort working autonomously and as a contributing member of a cohesive interdisciplinary team

Benefits

• Collaborative, growth-minded team environment with visible leadership support
• Full-time schedule with flexibility built in
• Clinical mentorship programs and ongoing career development opportunities
• Access to advanced therapeutic tools, modern facilities, and efficient documentation platforms
• Involvement in quality improvement projects and evidence-based practice initiatives

What You'll Be Doing

This role goes far beyond filling sessions on a schedule. Every day, you will work at the intersection of science and empathy — guiding a stroke survivor through the delicate process of rebuilding hand strength, helping a post-surgical patient rediscover how to move through their home with confidence, or supporting someone navigating a neurological condition as they find new strategies to stay engaged with the life they love.

You will not be following cookie-cutter protocols here. Each patient brings their own story, their own goals, and their own pace — and your role is to meet them exactly where they are. Working hand-in-hand with a dedicated team of physicians, rehabilitation specialists, social workers, and nurses, you will co-develop care plans that are as thoughtful and dynamic as the individuals they serve.

Why You'll Love the Team — and the City That Surrounds You

Our rehab team is the kind you will actually look forward to showing up for. We invest in each other — celebrating clinical wins, supporting one another through challenging cases, and creating a culture where your professional voice genuinely carries weight. Growth is not an afterthought here; it is built into the foundation of how we operate.

And beyond the clinic doors, San Diego, California offers a backdrop that is nothing short of extraordinary. Imagine starting your weekend with a sunrise run along the bluffs of Torrey Pines, spending an afternoon exploring the world-class museums and gardens of Balboa Park, or kayaking through the sea caves of La Jolla as the afternoon light turns the Pacific a shade of gold that never quite gets old.

San Diego is a city that wears its character effortlessly. Farmers markets overflow with locally grown citrus and avocados. The craft beer scene is legendary. Neighborhoods like North Park, South Park, and Little Italy hum with independent restaurants, art galleries, and live music venues that feel like well-kept secrets even when they're packed. The weather — famous for its consistency — means that outdoor living is not a seasonal privilege but a daily reality.

Whether you're drawn to surfing, hiking through Anza-Borrego, cycling the bay path on a Tuesday evening, or simply sitting at a rooftop bar watching the sun sink into the ocean, this city has a way of reminding you why balance matters. It is a place where professionals thrive without sacrificing the texture of a life well-lived.

Who We're Looking For

We want someone who experiences a quiet thrill when a patient buttons their shirt independently for the first time post-stroke, or when a child figures out a new way to hold a pencil that unlocks a whole world of expression. Someone who brings intellectual curiosity to clinical challenges and emotional generosity to every patient interaction.

You might be a veteran OTR/L with years of experience and a specialty you are proud of, or you might be a newer clinician brimming with drive and hunger to grow. Either way, if you show up with compassion, commitment, and a collaborative spirit, you will find that this team — and this city — rise to meet you.

Let's Create Something That Lasts

Great occupational therapy changes the trajectory of a person's life. It gives back mornings that felt out of reach, routines that had gone quiet, and confidence that had dimmed. That is what we do here — and we do it together.

If you are ready to bring your skills to a team that values them, your career to a city that will inspire it, and your heart to work that truly deserves it — we would love to hear from you.