County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under direction, provides daily oversight of Medical Therapy Program (MTP) operations; assists in the selection and hiring of personnel; assists Chief in complex case management issues; assumes responsibility for the working relationship between the Local Education Areas/Special Education Local Plan Areas (SELPA’s) and California Children’s Services (CCS); develops and implements interagency agreements between the School Districts/SELPA’s and CCS; ensures that the MTP (Medical Therapy Program) is compliant with all guidelines set forth in appropriate legislation; orients and trains school personnel in the CCS referral process, general eligibility criteria, informing them of State or County changes that effect the school district; trains CCS staff and informs therapists about the Interagency Agreements with the SELPA’s, including but not limited to CCS responsibilities, timelines, referrals back to the school, and the role of CCS in the classroom; in the absence of the Chief Therapist, supervises staff, acts as Chief Therapist, and performs other related duties as required

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is a discipline specific dual-position class located in the Family Health Services Division of the Public Health Department and reports directly to the Chief Therapist. This class is distinguished from the class of Chief Therapist in that the latter class has overall responsibility for the Medical Therapy Program and development and implementation of California Children’s Services - Medical Therapy Program, whereas the former class provides daily oversight and acts in the absence of the Chief Therapist. In addition the class of Assistant Chief Therapist is further distinguished from the next lower one of Supervising Therapist in that the latter class is a first-line supervisor, while the former class is a second-level supervisor also acting as a clinical resource. The Assistant Chief develops and implements SELPA agreements, and ensures compliance by MTP staff.

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. Acts for Chief Therapist in her/his absence supervising assigned staff; assists in hiring process of new staff therapists; provides training to staff and/or students in area of clinical expertise.

2. Acts as first level of supervisory support for MTU Supervising Therapist.

3. Organizes and provides county-wide oversight for MTP staff development, including new staff orientation and training.

4. Collaborates with designated personnel in the school district, to develop, implement, and maintain an interagency agreement with each of five Special Education Local Plan Areas (SELPA’s); trains CCS staff and keeps therapists informed about the Interagency Agreements with the SELPA’s, including but not limited to CCS responsibilities, timelines, referrals back to the school, and the role of CCS in the classroom.

5. Oversees and coordinates CCS (California Children’s Services) attendance at IEP’s (Individualized Education Plans) for children served by the Medical Therapy Program (MTP) when requested by the School District or any member of the IEP team.

6. Tracks the determination of medical eligibility for the MTP and ensures that such determinations meets education timelines and that the family and the School District are informed of status of referral.

7. Monitors compliance of communication and timeline requirements between CCS and the School District; acts as liaison and problem solver for CCS and School Issues.

8. Provides awareness and training to School personnel of CCS role, scope of services, and procedures for referral; orients school personnel to the CCS referral process, general eligibility criteria, and keeps them informed of State or County changes that effect the school district.

9. Provides training to CCS staff on procedures related to working with the School District.

10. Reviews general MTP client referrals to verify medical eligibility and to ascertain the need for additional information; contact physicians, hospitals, social workers, community agencies, families and others in order to determine client’s needs.

11. Serves as liaison to the SELPA’s for concerns, complaints and grievances, to ensure that the MTP (Medical Therapy Program) is compliant with all guidelines set forth in AB3632.

12. Implements and monitors QA (Quality Assurance) Program, Utilization Review, productivity standards, and data collection for monitoring of program objectives, coordinates student and volunteer programs; acts as clinical resource.

13. Develops and maintains effective relationships with the School Districts, Regional Center, and Tri-Cities Program.

14. Provides general oversight of clinical education program and maintain school contracts.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience:

The equivalent of two years’ full-time clinical experience in a pediatric setting and an additional or concurrent one year that includes supervisory experience, and the equivalent of one year of which should have included interfacing with a school district in a programmatic setting.

And

Special Requirement: 

Licensure as an occupational therapist with the California Board of Occupational Therapy.

Or

Licensure as a physical therapist with the Physical Therapy Board of California.

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

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, methods, equipment, and the basic theory of mental and physical rehabilitation involved in the modern practice of both physical and occupational therapy, especially as applied to children with cerebral palsy.
• Anatomy and physiology of the skeletal, muscular, neural and other structures
• Pathologies and injuries which result in physical or mental disabilities and the equipment and methods used to evaluate and mitigate such disabilities.
• Principles of psychology and abnormal psychology, especially as they relate to the application of physical and/or occupational therapy in a pediatric rehabilitation program.
• The functions of other disciplines such as psychology, teaching, public health nursing and especially physical and occupational therapy in the treatment and rehabilitation of children with physical disabilities.
• Principles of effective management.
• California Children’s Services Programs.
• Provisions and requirements of governmental and private programs for the treatment and education of disabled children.
• Principles of supervision.
• Staff development.

Ability to:

• Program plan.
• Plan, organize, and direct administrative procedures.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with the community school district, and related health care personnel.
• Facilitate group meetings within the community, particularly with school and community agencies.
• Negotiate and strategize with outside agencies and their representatives when there are competing interests.
• Effectively manage departmental staff to meet program goals and objectives.
• Effectively communicate orally and in writing.
• Analyze and problem solve

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

TT:co 3/2/00
co: 3/28/00
New document: Jobspecs/5873
ys/7/01
csc date: 3/29/00
DRH: cs Revised 5/12/11
CSC Date: 6/1/11

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)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• 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
• Management Paid Leave**
• 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.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.