Department of Administrative Services

In a state facility this class is accountable for the planning, administration, implementation and evaluation of professional therapy programs in a recognized therapeutic discipline for persons with physical, mental and emotional disabilities.

Works under the general supervision of a Rehabilitation Therapy Supervisor or other employee of higher grade; may receive direct instructions from physicians in individual cases.

May lead Rehabilitation Therapists 1, other professionals and/or therapy assistants and interns; may provide training, consultation and direction to direct care staff on issues and activities relating to specialty.

Selects, plans, administers and implements a therapeutic program by utilizing a specific therapy function to teach skills to correct disorders in mental, emotional or motor status of a client and/or patient; writes and implements treatment plans; plans, schedules and conducts individual and group activities; actively participates in admission, treatment and discharge planning of a client and/or patient; participates in interdisciplinary team meetings presenting cases and discussing future treatment goals and objectives for a client and/or patient; participates in institutional, professional and community groups and/or task forces; participates in staff meetings and on interdisciplinary committees; trains and supervises staff and clients in application of a specific discipline; provides inservice training to other staff; attends and participates in workshops and conferences; gathers and uses data from observation and diagnostic tests to develop goals and new activities; coordinates therapy services with other disciplines such as occupational or physical therapy; selects appropriate materials and implements a therapeutic program to meet needs of client and/or patient; maintains and orders equipment; observes, records and evaluates client and/or patient progress; may transport and escort clients and/or patients to community functions; may teach direct care and paraprofessional staff in application of a specific therapy; may make adaptive equipment; may serve as a Qualified Mental Retardation Professional; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of principles and practices of a designated therapeutic discipline; knowledge of physical, mental and psychosocial disorders; knowledge of individual and group dynamics; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; skill in evaluating client needs.

Five (5) years of professional experience in the appropriate professional rehabilitation therapy program specialty performing such activities as program evaluation, planning and application for persons with mental, emotional and physical disabilities.
Note: For state employees this will be interpreted as one (1) year of experience at the level of Rehabilitation Therapist 1 or its equivalent.

College training in the appropriate recognized therapeutic discipline indicated by the parenthetical title may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.

1. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and maintain a certificate as a Water Safety Instructor (W.S.I.), and/or life saving (CPR, First Aid) from the American Red Cross.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to be fluent in a foreign language or proficient in the use of American Sign Language in certain positions.
3. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to some danger of injury and moderately disagreeable conditions while providing treatment to clients/ patients.

Classified/Competitive

(37)-Therapy - (Speech/Physical/Occup/etc)

(11)-HEALTH PROF (P-1)

(2)-Professional

XC 23

This replaces the existing specification for the same class in Salary Group HC 23 approved effective March 30, 2000. (Revised to modify content)

7/4/2008