County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under direction, to provide physical therapy services in public and schools for the treatment of children with physical disabilities; to advise parents/caregivers on home treatment and care; and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

The Medical Therapy Program involves the long-term treatment of children with physical disabilities under 21 years of age and, therefore, requires the therapist to continually adapt and change the therapeutic regimen to the maturational development of the client, as well as his/her progress. This requires knowledge of child development and growth, especially in children with physical disabilities and properly evaluate what progress in the child is due to growth and development and what is due to therapy.

Therapists in the Medical Therapy Program work under medical direction and receive supervision from a supervising therapist in terms of assignment, consultation and evaluation of work. They generally work in school settings and coordinate their activity with the school program.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Participates in clinics for children with physical disabilities; administers range of motion, motor skill, functional activity and manual tests of muscle strength and grades and reports on child's physical capacities; discusses case with physicians and plans individual physical therapy regimens, including goals and objectives to carry out physician’s prescriptions and recommendations.

2. Administers range of motion exercises to improve the function and flexibility of the joints; instructs and supervises children with physical disabilities and administers passive, assistive, active and resistive exercises to re-educate or strengthen specific muscles or muscle groups; uses such equipment as mats, weights and pulleys or devices such as stretcher boards for stretching tight muscles or tendons; trains children in muscle relaxation and coordination and sees that children use the appropriate muscles in the exercises.

3. Instructs and supervises children in gait training involving walking, balancing and stair climbing with and without aides such as crutches, braces, canes and walkers; does pre-gait training using such equipment as parallel bars to develop coordination and strength and walking skis to develop reciprocation; teaches use of wheelchair and other appropriate activities of daily living such as stair climbing and opening and closing doors.
4. Checks leg braces and other apparatus used by clients; makes minor adjustments and refers patients needing major changes or repairs for their braces to vendors or to the clinic.
5. Periodically tests and evaluates children's physical capacity according to CCS guidelines, determining progress due to therapy and what may be attributed to growth and development; confers with supervisor and physician and adapts therapeutic regimen accordingly; coordinates activity with that of the occupational therapists, teachers and others in the Medical Therapy Program.
6. Keeps clinical records of cases, including history, evaluations, treatments and progress and prepares regular reports relating to patients and workloads; attends and participates in staff conferences with occupational therapists, physicians, nurse case managers and others in the program for training purposes as in the introduction of new techniques and the improvement of service to discuss problems and progress of clients in the program; may be assigned to train and supervise interns or physical therapy students.
7. Discusses children's problems with parents/caregivers; instructs them in a home treatment program and the equipment involved; instructs parents or other persons caring for children in appropriate techniques.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Certification:

Eligibility for or possession of a valid certificate to practice as a Registered Physical Therapist in California,

And
Education:

Completion of an accredited curriculum in Physical Therapy.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, methods, equipment and basic theory of physical rehabilitation involved in the modern practice of physical therapy, especially in the application of exercise and other modalities in pediatric therapy.
• Anatomy and physiology of the skeletal, muscular, neural and other structures and the pathologies and injuries which result in physical impairment.
• Principles of psychology, especially as they relate to the physical therapy in a Medical Therapy program.
• Methods of testing and evaluating muscular and neural function.
• Child growth and development, especially in children with physical disabilities.

Ability to:

• Understand and follow physician's prescriptions and other technical instructions involved.
• Instruct and gain the confidence and cooperation of clients in the program, instill appropriate attitudes and effect mental adjustment, as well as physical rehabilitation.
• Keep accurate records and make meaningful reports.
• Instruct parents and other persons in the care and treatment of children.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

TAT:lm-h
Revised: 6/83
Retyped: 1/85
SP:pb
Updated: 10/91
Old document: 0567h
New document: Jobspecs/5860
ys/7/01
CSC Date: 7/20/83
DRH:po Revise/Retitle 8/17/06
old title [ Cerebral Palsy Therapist (Physical)
CSC Date: 1/30/2008

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.