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Physical Therapist (#433120)
$42.89-$52.13 Hourly / $7,434.13-$9,036.23 Monthly / $89,209.54-$108,434.75 Yearly




DEFINITION

Plans and administers physical therapy to clients with physical disability; administers direct treatment; educates patient, families, caregivers, and others involved; establishes home and school programs; evaluates patient, progress, and therapy plans and goals; evaluates and recommends needed equipment.
 

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This class is characterized by the responsibility to provide direct physical therapy services to children with disability, as prescribed by a physician.  Uses independent judgment to administer therapy, evaluate cases, and educate patients and others involved in their care. 

Supervision Received and Exercised

Receives general supervision from the Therapist (Senior).   

Exercises no supervision.  

Examples of Duties

Evaluates children and/or adult patients and reviews physicians prescribed instructions to plan, organize, and administer physical therapy suited to their patients physical capacity, intelligence level and interest; provides appropriate treatment within the scope of physical therapy.
 
Consults with, educates and/or instructs teachers, aides, professional peers, and other health professionals and parents to provide assistance in preparing patients for return to maximum independence.
 
Conducts home and/or school site visits to evaluate patients and provide follow-up.
 
Attends clinical conferences to discuss the therapy plan, patient progress and therapy problems; communicates with physicians to discuss plans, recommendations, and progress; provides recommendations on treatment plans; attends other meetings and in-service training as required.
 
Performs various administrative and clerical tasks; initiates and maintains charts and records on patients; schedules appointments; answers phones and performs other clerical duties related to therapy programs.
 
Repairs, adapts and checks equipment and apparatus used in physical therapy; consults with equipment vendors; cleans and puts away equipment; washes and disinfects mats, toys and other items.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of:
 
Principles, methods, equipment and objectives involved in providing physical therapy to physically handicapped clients.
 
Skeletal anatomy and physiology as related to physical therapy.
 
Mechanical functioning of the body to match patients’ activities to requirements of treatment.
 
Skills to:
 
Utilize basic office equipment and related physical therapy tools and equipment.
 
Ability to:
 
Interpret medical prescriptions and translate to applicable therapy programs.
 
Make decisions and independent judgments regarding patient care.
 
Determine and evaluate level of patient achievement and performance.
 
Maintain confidentiality of information.
 
Secure cooperation and teamwork among patients, parents and/or school representatives.
 
Deal firmly and fairly with clients of various socio-economic backgrounds and temperaments.
 
Maintain accurate records and document actions taken.
 
Learn and provide referrals to local and regional providers of social, medical and/or other specialized services.
 
Communicate effectively with parents, doctors, teachers, vendors, and other health providers.

Education and Experience

Experience:
 
No experience required, however, applicants must demonstrate possession of and competency in requisite knowledge, skills and abilities.
 
Education/Training:
 
Possession of a valid license as a Registered Physical Therapist issued by the California Board of Medical Quality Assurance.

LICENSING/CERTIFICATION REQ

Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Class C California driver’s license may be required.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Physical Ability:  Tasks require the ability to exert moderate, though not constant physical effort, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate to heavy weights (12-60 pounds). 
  
Sensory Requirements:  Some tasks require visual perception and discrimination.  Some tasks require oral communications ability. 
  
Environmental Factors:  Incumbents must be able to work in an environment that may include exposure to communicable disease.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Independent travel may be required. 
  
Positions allocated to this class may require bilingual skills. 
  
Selectees for employment in some positions allocated to this class must as a condition of employment sign a statement agreeing to comply with Section 11166 of the California Penal Code related to child abuse reporting. 
 

CLASS: 433120; REV: 8/1/2004;