County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general direction, to lead and instruct licensed occupational and physical therapists, supportive personnel, and students/interns; to assist in the development of therapeutic techniques and necessary equipment involved; to organize the student internship program, to review medical requests for Durable Medical Equipment (DME) or physical and/or occupational therapy services to determine California Children's Services (CCS) eligibility and to provide and coordinate the provision of the full range of physical and occupational therapy services at a school based site.

 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

 

Senior Therapists are found in California Children's Services (CCS) of the Family Health Services of the Public Health Department and report to a Supervising Therapist, Assistant Chief Therapist or Chief Therapist.  They are distinguished from the Supervising Therapist in that the latter is the first-line supervisor exercising the full range of supervisory responsibilities.  Senior Therapists perform coordination and lead activities under the direction of the Supervising Therapist, Assistant Chief Therapist or Chief Therapist.

 

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.  Leads, orients, trains and assists in the evaluation of entry and journey level professional staff and supportive staff; assists in personnel selection; delegates classes to assigned staff; carries a caseload of patients in addition to lead responsibilities.

2.  Conducts as needed physician clinics in the Medical Treatment Unit (MTU) for examination of clients, renewal of therapy orders, and referral to specialists for appropriate testing and intervention.

3.  Acts as Center Coordinator of Clinical Education (CCCE) which involves coordinating with physical and occupational professional programs to place children for internships at the MTU's.

4.  Interviews clients and their families/caregivers to administer the appropriate tests to assess neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction.  These evaluations may include but are not limited to: range of motion, muscle testing, perceptual abilities, activities of daily living, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, home evaluation, equipment needs, and feeding and pre-feeding evaluations.

5.  Provides treatment and/or consultation based upon needs identified in the evaluation.

6.  Attends Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings to discuss integration of MTU-based therapy with school-based goals.

7.  Keeps records and prepares reports on patient treatment and progress.  Coordinates treatment with other services and outside agencies involved in patient care.

8.  Attends and participates in staff conferences, training, and in-service sessions.

9.  Acts as Supervising Therapist in his/her absence; assumes administrative duties as assigned; assists the Supervising Therapist in assigning duties to professional and supportive staff; communicates departmental needs.

10.  Develops and coordinates in-service training to outside agencies (school districts, Regional Center) as needed.

11.  Collaborates with the Supervising Therapist on school budget requests.

12.  Keeps informed of current trends and new developments in the field; reads the professional literature; and participates in professional activities in the field.

13.  Conducts intake appointments with new clients and families.

14.  Reviews medical reports for determination of medically necessary PT and/or OT services and DME per CCS program guidelines; opens cases to MTP; authorizes/denies services to outside providers.

15.  Assists MTP Supervising Therapist in the coordination of transition services for clients who are aging out of CCS.

16.  Collaborates with internal and community partners to enhance systems of operation or managing DME.

17.  Coordinates Alameda County CCS Power Mobility and Communication panels to ensure all referrals for power mobility and communications devices are appropriately processed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience:

The equivalent of two years of full-time experience as an occupational or physical therapist in a California Children’s Services or pediatric setting.

AND
Education:

Graduation from an accredited occupational or physical therapy professional program.

Certification/Licensure:

Licensure by the Physical Therapy Board of California or licensure by the California Board of Occupational Therapy. Some positions may require that you become a State approved California Children Services (CCS) Neuromotor Impairment Severity Score (NISS) trainer.

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 "Example of Duties" section of this specification.

 

Knowledge of:

• Therapeutic intervention for the pediatric population.
• Human anatomy.
• Physiology.
• Pathology.
• Medical terminology and documentation.
• Pathology, including cerebral palsy and other neuromuscular conditions.
• Growth and development of children; including children with disabilities.
• Disparities in health outcomes for vulnerable populations, including socio-economic and environmental factors affecting health equity.
• Ten Essential Public Health Services.  Principles and practices of public health education and teaching, and interviewing, assessment, and counseling techniques.

Ability to:

• Apply therapy principles and practices.
• Gather and analyze data.
• Problem solve and draw logical conclusions.
• Facilitate and model effective written and oral communications with attention to linguistic preferences and cultural proficiency to influence behavior and improve health.
• Prioritize work and coordinate several activities to meet critical deadlines.
• Work independently and adapt to change.
• Operate multiple software programs.
• Exercise interpersonal sensitivity and group interaction skills to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Incorporate departmental core values and ethical standards of practice into all interactions with individuals, organizations and communities.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

AM:bl 2/9/00

Old doc: Cadssec\Srtherap

New doc: \5865.doc

co: 02/29/00

CSC Date 03/01/00

CC:pf Admin. Change 08/08/05

DRH:po Revised 05/09/08

CSC Date: 06/18/08

Admin change: 8/27/08

LC:ac  Revsied 05/28/19

CSC Date: 09/11/19

 

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
• 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.