Careers

Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center

Careers at Rancho

Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center (Rancho) offers excellent opportunities for growth and development, competitive salaries and benefits, and an exciting work environment. Whether providing patient care, conducting clinical research, or handling administrative duties, employees at Rancho continue to shape the field of rehabilitation medicine.

Licensed Careers

The nurses and therapists of Rancho provide the highest quality of care, ensuring outstanding patient outcomes. If you’d like a challenging and rewarding career at a world-class facility, check out what Rancho has to offer.

For more information on licensed careers at Rancho, click on the nurse or therapist tabs.

Students and Volunteers

Students and volunteers fulfill many different roles within Rancho. If you are looking to grow and learn in an internationally recognized hospital, look no further than Rancho.

To learn more about educational opportunities, click on the student tab or visit the Graduate Medical Education page. For volunteer opportunities, visit the Volunteer Services page.

Applying to Rancho

As a hospital with Health Services, Rancho career opportunities are listed on the Health Services Human Resources site.

Nursing Careers at Rancho

Rehabilitation nurses provide vital care to individuals who are recovering from life-changing injuries. To meet the needs of patients and their loved ones, nurses take a holistic approach to meeting patients’ medical, vocational, educational, environmental, and spiritual needs.

Rehabilitation nursing is a philosophy of care, not a work setting or a phase of treatment. Rehabilitation nurses base their practice on rehabilitative and restorative principles by:

  • Collaborating with other specialists
  • Establishing plans of care to maintain optimal wellness
  • Managing complex medical issues
  • Providing ongoing patient/caregiver education
  • Setting goals for maximal independence

The nursing program at Rancho is nationally recognized and respected for its practices, education, and research.

For nursing related inquiries, contact Nursing Administration:

Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center
Department of Nursing
7601 E. Imperial Highway, Building 500, Room 77
Downey, CA 90242

Emma Naparan, RN, BSN – Nurse Manager
E-mail: enaparan@dhs.lacounty.gov

Tel: (562) 385-7912

Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Health Services – Office of Nursing Affairs

Student Opportunities at Rancho

Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center (Rancho) prides itself on providing a variety of educational opportunities for clinical students. Rancho has partnered with universities throughout Southern California to provide students clinical rotations, internships, and residencies. Please check with your school to find out if Rancho is affiliated.

Nursing Opportunities

The Nursing Education Division manages clinical rotations for nursing students. Currently Rancho only accepts students from affiliated universities and colleges.

For more information on clinical rotations, contact:

Raquel Arcega or Patty Williams
Phone: (562) 385-7817
Email: RLA_NursingED@dhs.lacounty.gov

 

Occupational Therapy Opportunities

Fieldwork assignments are available to occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant students. Assignments are scheduled through the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator.

For more information on assignments, contact:

Robin Johnson, OTR/L
E-mail: oted@rancho.org

Physical Therapy Opportunities

Rancho offers graduate-level clinical affiliations with accredited physical therapy and physical therapy assistant programs.

For more information, contact:

Jocelyn Blaskey, MS, PT
E-mail: jblaskey@rancho.org

Physical Therapy – Neurological Physical Therapy Residency

Rancho has partnered with the University of Southern California to create the University of Southern California / Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center (USC/RLANRC) Clinical Residency Program in Neurologic Physical Therapy residency. The USC/RLANRC Residency is a year-long program, providing students opportunities to work with a variety of patient populations and diagnoses.

In order to be considered for the program, applicants must be eligible for and obtain licensure as a physical therapist in the State of California at or near the beginning of their residency. Recent graduates and experienced clinicians are encouraged to apply.

For more information on the USC/RLANRC Residency, contact:

Beth Fisher, PT, Ph.D.
Phone: (323) 442-2796
E-mail: bfisher@rancho.org

Shenette Davis
Phone: (562) 385-7061
E-mail: PT@rancho.org

Recreational Therapy Opportunities

We offer an exciting 15-week educational internship program providing a supportive platform where students have an opportunity to implement therapy principles, methods and technique in a rehabilitation/ medical setting.  Student interns from universities affiliated with Rancho Los Amigos are accepted in the Fall and Spring semesters.

The Recreation Therapy Internship Program is an approved CBPRC (California Board of Park and Recreation Certification) site which uses NCTRS (National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Society) and ATRA (American Therapeutic Recreation Association) Internship Guidelines.

Interested candidates, please contact:

Bertha Cabral, BS, OTR/L
Director, Occupational Therapy and Recreation Therapy
E-Mail: bcabral@dhs.lacounty.gov
Telephone: (562) 385-6323 / Fax: (562) 385-6690

Christina Webster, BS, CTRS
Recreation Therapy Supervisor
E-Mail: cwebster@dhs.lacounty.gov or rectherapy@rancho.org
Telephone: (562) 385-6323 / Fax: (562) 385-6690

Speech Therapy Opportunities

For information on speech therapy internships and externships, contact:

Wendy Burton, MA, CCC-SP
Director, Communication Disorders Department
Phone: (562) 385-7685
E-mail: CDD@rancho.org

Student Orientation Materials

Welcome Students! Please complete student orientation forms online at: https://dhs.lacounty.gov/cef.

  1. Employment Forms
    • Please complete student forms online at: https://dhs.lacounty.gov/cef. From the left bar, select #10 Non-County Packet. Complete and print the Request for Live Scan Service form.  
    • Bring the completed Request for Live Scan Service form, as well as a valid Driver’s License, Passport, or DMV Identification to your scheduled Live Scan appointment.          
  2. Health Clearance Forms
    • Please complete and submit all student forms in the packet online at: https://dhs.lacounty.gov/cef. From the left bar, select Non-County Health Screening Packet. Then, select link #5 Non-County – For use by contractor staff, students, vendors and affiliate schools who are non-county employees.
      • The first page needs to be completed by your doctor, or a licensed healthcare professional. Forms E2 and B-NC are required. Form E2 needs to be signed by the school personnel who will have access to the records in case of an audit. Submit K-NC Declination form if you are declining any immunization.
    • Students must have two TB tests within 12 months of the starting date of fieldwork.
    • Students do need to do a Respiratory Fit Test.  This can be done at the school (if available) or by an outside vendor.
    • Bring Immunization History to your scheduled Live Scan appointment.
  3. Trainings and Orientation – Complete all trainings and orientations prior to your first day. Bring completed quizzes/acknowledgments at the time of your Live Scan (or on your first day at Rancho, if coming from out of the area). The following trainings are on the left bar at: https://dhs.lacounty.gov/cef.

Therapy Careers at Rancho

As a world-renowned rehabilitation center, Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center (Rancho) attracts top therapists from around the nation. Whether conducting gait analysis, assisting a pediatric patient with robotic therapy, or educating patients and family members on using adaptive equipment, Rancho’s therapists are committed to ensuring excellent patient outcomes.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists at Rancho work in an environment that values occupation-based, patient-centered care. As a member of the occupational therapy team, you will have the ability to shape patients’ futures and contribute to a dynamic department.

For more information, contact:

Bertha Cabral, BS, OTR/L
Director of Occupational Therapy and Recreation Therapy
Phone: (562) 385-7464
Fax: (562) 385-6690
E-mail: BCabral@ladhs.org

Physical Therapy

Rancho’s physical therapy team is unparalleled, with patient care the top priority. As a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant at Rancho, you will be a vital part of a fast-paced, world-class facility.

For more information, contact:

Lilli Thompson, PT, NCS
Phone: (562) 385-7061
Fax: (562) 385-6690
E-mail: pt@rancho.org

Recreation Therapy

Recreation therapy is a critical component of Rancho’s rehabilitation process. As a member of the recreation therapy team, you will provide the highest caliber of care to patients thus enhancing their quality of life, while working with some of the best therapists in your field.

For more information, contact:

Bertha Cabral, BS, OTR/L
Director, Occupational Therapy and Recreational Therapy
Phone: (562) 385-7464
E-Mail: bcabral@dhs.lacounty.gov

Christina Webster, BS, CTRS, CBIS
Recreation Therapy Supervisor
Phone: (562) 385-6323
Fax: (562) 385-6690
E-mail: cwebster@dhs.lacounty.gov or rectherapy@rancho.org

Speech Therapy

With a focus on patient outcomes and interdisciplinary treatment, Rancho’s speech therapy team is driven to provide the best care possible. As a member of the team, you will work with dedicated professionals in an environment unlike any other.

For more information, contact:

Wendy Burton, MA CCC-SP
Director, Communication Disorders Department
Phone: (562) 385-7685
Fax: (562) 385-6690
E-mail: cdd@rancho.org