State of Maryland

Physical Therapist III Advanced 

A Physical Therapist III Advanced is the advanced level of work providing physical therapy treatments to mentally ill, aged, physically ill or physically disabled patients, or developmentally disabled clients of State inpatient, residential or vocational rehabilitation treatment facilities or community-based programs in clinic, school or home settings. Employees in this classification function as the sole Physical Therapist responsible for providing all physical therapy services in a State facility or local health department. Work includes responsibility for the administrative operations of the program as well as for all clinical aspects of assessment, planning and implementation of clients’/patients’ physical therapy treatment. Employees in this classification may supervise Physical Therapy Assistants and lower-level support staff.

Physical Therapist III Lead

A Physical Therapist III Lead is the lead level of work providing physical therapy treatments to mentally ill, aged, physically ill or physically disabled patients, or developmentally disabled clients of State inpatient, residential or vocational rehabilitation treatment facilities or community-based programs in clinic, school or home settings. Work includes responsibility for the assessment, planning and implementation of clients’/patients’ physical therapy treatment. Employees in this classification train and assign, review, evaluate and approve the work of lower-level physical therapists.

Both Functions

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a Physical Therapist Supervisor or other licensed healthcare professional. Employees may be assigned to day, evening, night or rotating shifts which may include holidays and weekends. Employees may be subject to call-in and overtime based on staffing needs. Employees are required to observe infection control precautions in order to prevent contamination and spread of disease. Employees may be required to physically restrain patients/clients displaying violent and aggressive behavior. The work may require lifting and positioning of non-ambulatory patients/clients and lifting of wheelchairs and other heavy equipment. The work may require long periods of standing, walking, bending and reaching.

Positions in this classification are evaluated using the classification job evaluation methodology. The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of a class specification.

The Physical Therapist III Advanced and the Physical Therapist III Lead are differentiated from the Physical Therapist II in that the Physical Therapist III Advanced functions as the sole Physical Therapist in a State facility or local Health Department and the Physical Therapist III Lead assigns, reviews and approves the work of and trains lower-level Physical Therapists while the Physical Therapist II performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.  The Physical Therapist III Advanced and the Physical Therapist III Lead are differentiated from the Physical Therapist Supervisor in that the Physical Therapist Supervisor has supervisory responsibility for lower-level Physical Therapists.

Physical Therapist III Advanced

Develops the policies and procedures for the administrative and clinical functions of a physical therapy program for a State facility or local health department;

Prepares and monitors the physical therapy program budget;

Collects all data in order to develop treatment plans for patients/clients with unusual needs;

Determines additional training, education, literature and resources needed for facility and community-based staff in the area of physical therapy;

Physical Therapist III Lead

Assigns, reviews, evaluates and approves the work of lower-level Physical Therapists and other support staff;

Trains lower-level physical therapists;

Both Functions

Plans, develops, implements and evaluates physical therapy treatment for patients/clients;

Studies, observes and records the reactions and progress of clients/patients;

Evaluates assigned clients/patients in order to determine appropriate treatment;

Develops and modifies physical therapy programs based upon the needs of patients/clients;

Assists in clinical training of physical therapy students;

Constructs and modifies adaptive devices;

Treats patient/client with a variety of physical therapy modalities such as hydrotherapy, ultrasound, therapeutic heat, electrotherapy, and cryotherapy;

Fits, adapts and instructs patients/clients in the use of orthotic and prosthetic devices;

Completes evaluation, progress and statistical reports concerning patient/client progress;

Teaches home physical therapy programs to patients/clients and their families and assists them in planning equipment for home use;

Provides physical therapy training to other staff; Orders supplies and equipment;

May provide budget recommendations;

Performs other related duties.

1. Employees in this classification may be subject to call-in and, therefore, may be required to provide the employer with a phone number where they can be reached.

2. Employees in this classification are subject to substance abuse testing in accordance with Code of Maryland Regulations 17.04.09, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs.

Class Descriptions are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies.  Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position. 

Class Descriptions provide information about the Nature of Work, Examples of Work, General Requirements and Acknowledgements.  The Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities; Minimum Education and Experience Requirements; Special Requirements; and recruitment and testing procedures are set by the using agency.

This is a Professional Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Professional Service positions.  Some positions in Professional Service classifications may be designated as Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is not assigned to a bargaining unit, as indicated by the designation of S (Supervisor), M (Manager), T (Agency Head), U (Board or Commission Member), W (Student), X (Used by Agency or Excluded by Executive Order), or Z (Confidential).  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.