Application Deadline: Open until filled
Start Date: Available immediately or as negotiated with the successful candidate.

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Special Instructions to Applicants:

The review of completed applications is ongoing and will continue until the position is filled.

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The successful candidate must meet eligibility requirements for work in the United States at the time the appointment is scheduled to begin and continue working legally for the term of employment. In addition, the candidate must be deemed eligible for hire as determined by the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, including passing a background check via live scan and meet all employee health requirements including complete vaccination records.

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Job Description:

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Summary

The Pathokinesiology Laboratory (PK Lab) at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center (RLANRC) is seeking one individual for the role of Director/Co-Director/Associate Director. The PK Lab has a dual mission: 1) provide a state-of-the-art motion analysis clinical service for those with complex movement challenges, and 2) conduct high-quality, nationally funded clinical research. The ideal candidate will have the appropriate educational and scientific background and clinical experience to support both missions. The final role and title of the position will be determined based on the qualifications of the selected individual as part of the application process.

 

Benefits

Position includes generous benefit packages offered through Rancho Research Institute and Los Angeles County including options for medical, dental, disability coverage and retirement/pension plans among other offerings to choose from. 

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Minimum Qualifications

• An earned clinical professional degree in Physical Therapy from an accredited institution acceptable to the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association and approved by the Physical Therapy Board of California -OR- an earned terminal degree (e.g., PhD, EdD, DSc) in a clinically relevant field of expertise.

• An existing track record in conducting high-quality clinical research with the potential to establish an independent clinical research program in one or more areas relevant to rehabilitation.

• Highly effective written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to help lead a diverse and passionate team of clinical researchers.

• A commitment to supporting and expanding a diverse and inclusive environment.

 

Desired Qualifications

• A clinical professional degree in Physical Therapy -AND- PhD in a clinically relevant field.

• A license to practice Physical Therapy issued by the Physical Therapy Board of California -OR- candidate’s ability to meet eligibility requirements to obtain a California Physical Therapy license as evidenced by the ability to submit an acceptable application and obtain such license prior to hiring date.

• Research/Clinical experience in biomechanics of gait, wheelchair propulsion, or other movement-related activities.

• Demonstrated ability to manage and run a nationally funded research program, including a successful history of applying for and obtaining grant funding.

• Proficiency in Spanish and/or other languages in addition to English.

• Experience with fine-wire EMG insertion, verification, data collection and interpretation.

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Application Instructions

To apply, applicants are required to email the following documents to the PK Lab search committee (pkadmin@ranchoresearch.org):

• A cover letter describing the applicant’s interest and qualifications for the position.

• A current Resume/Curriculum Vitae.

• A 1-page statement describing the applicant’s research goals and accomplishments.

• A 1-page statement describing the applicant’s clinical experience and goals.

• The names and contact information (email and phone numbers) for 3 references who can address the applicant’s qualifications for this position.

 

For both statements, please include how your research and clinical experiences align with Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center’s Mission Statement: “To restore health, rebuild life, and revitalize hope for persons with a life changing illness, injury, or disability”.

 

Detailed Description

The world-renowned Pathokinesiology Laboratory (PK Lab) at RLANRC has a unique and exciting opportunity for an individual working within the field of biokinesiology, physical therapy, rehabilitation, or other related areas. The PK Lab is in the forefront of both clinical service and substantial research endeavors focused on understanding and enhancing both normal and pathologic human movement. These endeavors build off the rich foundations laid by founder and original director Dr. Jaqueline Perry, PT, MD, and our most recent director, Dr. Sara Mulroy, PT, PhD. Under their direction, the PK Lab has been engaged for many years in analyzing and investigating interventions for pathological gait in individuals with stroke and lower limb loss as well as in studying wheelchair propulsion and pain prevention and management in individuals with spinal cord injury, among many other initiatives. In addition, the lab also manages Rancho’s participation in the multi-center Spinal Cord Injury Model System (Southern California Spinal Cord Injury Model System) funded by NIDILLR, which has been an ongoing project for many years.

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The Physical Therapy (PT) Department at RLANRC has a large clinical staff of accomplished physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. This staff provides physical therapy services to over 1300 rehabilitation inpatients and thousands of outpatients each year.  The PK Lab is part of this department and is located on the RLANRC campus within the newly renovated historical Harriman Building (completed in 2022). The PK lab is a 5,350 square foot facility that includes a 1,780 square foot, fully equipped motion analysis lab, patient rooms, and attached office space. Equipment within the motion analysis lab include: a 10-camera Qualisys motion capture system, 2 Kistler force-plates embedded within a 15-meter walkway, a 12-channel Motion-Labs EMG system (fine-wire and surface capabilities), a Cosmed K5 Metabolic Cost System, a Biodex Strength Testing System, and other instrumented devices such as walking aids and wheelchairs. Also available nearby (currently managed by the Rehabilitation Engineering Program) is a split-belt, instrumented treadmill.

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RLANRC is a 150-bed rehabilitation hospital in the Los Angeles County Department of Health services system of care that serves a culturally and socio-economically diverse population: PK Lab activities regularly involve individuals with all types of impairments/disabilities including spinal cord injury, stroke, brain injury, polio, amputations (diabetes) and other less common neurologic and orthopedic impairments. Current PT Department and PK Lab staff are a combination of passionate clinicians and scientists striving to ensure that we provide the highest quality of care for the patients we serve. RLANRC’s strategic mission includes enhancing patient outcomes across the continuum of care, advancing research and innovation with rapid translation into clinical practice, and promoting advancement of others through education and training endeavors. Research endeavors focused on this mission are currently funded through the Physical Therapy Department as well as a number of federally funded grants managed through the Rancho Research Institute. Current and past funding sources include the NIH, NIDILLR, DOD, Craig H. Neilsen Foundation and the Foundation for Physical Therapy.

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RLANRC is located in the city of Downey, a suburb of Los Angeles County. The hospital is freeway close and surrounded by beautiful beaches, quaint residential communities, and the bustling metropolitan cultural areas of Los Angeles and Orange Counties.

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Candidates may bring their own funded research to the lab and/or integrate into the existing research currently underway. There are numerous opportunities for collaboration, professional growth, and development on our team, both at RLANRC and with internationally renowned universities in the LA region such as UCLA and USC.

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For additional questions about this position, please contact the PK Lab administrator at pkadmin@ranchoresearch.org.

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EEO/AA Policy

It is the policy of the County of Los Angeles to provide equal employment opportunity for all qualified persons, regardless of age (40 and over); ancestry; color; ethnicity; religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices); denial of family and medical care leave; disability (including mental and physical disability); marital status; medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics); genetic information; military and veteran status; national origin (including language use restrictions); race; sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding); gender; gender identity; gender expression; sexual orientation; and any other characteristic protected by state or federal employment law. Our commitment includes ensuring a non-discriminatory workplace where individuals are valued for their differences, as well as their similarities.