State of Connecticut Executive Branch

In a state health care facility or community based health care program, at a paraprofessional level, this class is accountable for implementing and providing feedback regarding patient/individual progress in support of treatment plans designed by a professional therapist to improve or correct disorders in the intellectual, emotional or motor status of the individuals.

Works in a variety of rehabilitation services; implements rehabilitation activities including but not limited to life skills and recreational groups; range of motion and exercise programs and recreational outings and activities; assists in planning rehabilitation activities and programs to improve or correct individual disorders; participates in interdisciplinary treatment teams; under the direction of a professional therapist, provides assistance and support to direct care and day services staff in program implementation and proper use of therapy equipment; assumes some responsibility for training new employees and students; observes, reports and charts individual behavior or response; prepares records and reports; cleans areas and maintains equipment and supplies; conducts minor repairs on adaptive equipment; in consultation with a professional therapist may modify, design and fabricate customized adaptive equipment; may prepare treatment plans and screen individuals under supervision of a professional therapist; may transport and escort individuals off grounds; performs related duties as required.

Knowledge of rehabilitation principles and practices; knowledge of physical and psychosocial disorders and their relationship to therapeutic techniques; knowledge of individual and group dynamics; knowledge of therapy equipment and supplies including proper care and maintenance; considerable interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to encourage, instruct and work effectively with individuals; ability in one or more art forms or crafts applicable to therapy program; ability to carry out instructions; ability to observe, report and chart individual behavior or response; ability to discern program results ability to utilize computer software.

Three (3) years of experience working with individuals exhibiting intellectual, emotional, or motor status disorders.

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been as a Rehabilitation Therapy Assistant 1 or its equivalent.

1. An Associate's Degree in a recognized therapeutic discipline may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.
   
2. College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience. In this case the Special Requirement must still be met.

1. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and maintain a current certification as a Water Safety Instructor (WSI), Red Cross Advanced Life Saving, Red Cross Life Guard and/or in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to be certified in accordance with Department of Developmental Services regulations for the administration of medication by certified unlicensed personnel.
3. Incumbents in this class may be required to be bilingual or fluent in American Sign Language.
4. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.
5. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

Incumbents in this class may be required to lift and restrain individuals and may have some exposure to moderately disagreeable conditions, infectious and/or communicable diseases and risk of injury from assaultive and/or abusive individuals.