County of Alameda

Under direction, to plan, organize and direct the work of pediatric occupational, and physical, therapists and support staff in the California Children’s Services (CCS) Medical Therapy Program (MTP); to coordinate medical case management of occupational and/or physical therapy services; oversee administrative operational needs of the Medical Therapy Unit, and to do related work as required.  

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES  

Supervising Therapists are responsible for directing a medical therapy program, which includes two or more disciplines. Incumbents are responsible for managing a work site, procuring and maintaining supplies and equipment; establishing and implementing performance standards, and supervising and instructing assigned staff.  Positions allocated to this classification are in the California Children’s Services program within the Family Health Services, a major division of the Public Health Department. Incumbents receive direction from the Assistant Chief Therapist and/or the Chief Therapist of California Children’s Services.  

This classification is distinguished from the lower-level class of Senior Therapist in that the latter performs coordination and lead activities while the former is a first-line supervisor, exercising the full range of supervisory responsibility.

EITHER I  

Experience:  

The equivalent of two (2) years of full-time experience in the class of Senior Therapist in the Alameda County classified service.  

OR II  

Experience:  

The equivalent of three (3) years of full-time experience as an Occupational Therapist or a Physical Therapist in an institutional or clinical setting, of which one year must have been in the treatment of children with cerebral palsy or other neuro-muscular or musculoskeletal conditions.  

AND EITHER I  

License:  

Licensure as an Occupational Therapist, or possession of a limited permit as an Occupational Therapist issued by the California Board of Occupational Therapy.  

OR II  

License:  

Licensure as a Physical Therapist or Physical Therapist License Applicant with the Physical Therapy Board of California.

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

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 physical rehabilitation involved in the modern practice of occupational therapy and physical therapy, especially as applied to children, with cerebral palsy and other physical impairments.
• Anatomy and physiology of the skeletal, muscular, neural and other structures, the pathologies and injuries which result in physical impairments, and the equipment and methods used to evaluate and treat these conditions.
• Principles of psychology and abnormal psychology, especially as they relate to the application of occupational and physical therapy in an outpatient rehabilitation program for children with physical impairments.
• Principles of Family Centered Care.
• Functions of other professionals, such as medical specialists, psychologists, teachers, public health nurses, and social workers as they relate to the treatment and rehabilitation of children with physical impairments.
• Principles and methods of lead supervision, management and training including workforce planning and resource allocation.
• Community programs and resources in place for families of children with special health care needs.
• Principles and best practices in the delivery of culturally competent medical services.       
• Disparities in health outcomes for vulnerable populations including socio-economic and environmental factors that affect health equity.  

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, direct, and develop an outpatient rehabilitation program for children and young adults with physical impairments and to instruct and supervise staff therapists and support staff.
• Exercise interpersonal sensitivity, political astuteness, and group interaction skills to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Interpret and implement physicians' prescriptions and other medical recommendations involved.
• Oversee therapists in instructing and facilitating confidence and cooperation of clients and their families in the program, instilling appropriate attitudes and affecting psychological adjustment, as well as physical rehabilitation.
• Facilitate and model effective written and oral communication with attention to linguistic preferences and cultural proficiency.
• Interpret and explain the California Children’s Services program to instill cooperation and collaboration with community partners and families.
• Anticipate MTU needs and prepare budgetary estimates and operational reports.  
• Recognize typical growth and development of children in general and understand how children with neurological impairments are impacted.
• Identify appropriate methods of testing and evaluating muscular and neural function.
• Incorporate departmental core values and ethical standards of practice into all interactions with individuals, organizations, and communities.

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
• 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.