County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general direction, to plan, organize, and direct the California's Children's Service Program of the Health Care Services Agency; to establish county-wide policies and procedures for California's Children's Services; to develop and evaluate the medical therapy unit in three different schools, to plan and direct a training program, to supervise and evaluate staff therapists, to prepare budget estimates and required reports, to ensure compliance with legislative mandates, minimum standards and State rules and regulations; and do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

The Chief Therapist is a one-position class responsible for directing an occupational and physical therapy program in the schools for cerebral palsied and similarly handicapped children. This position reports to a Program Administrator II who has administrative responsibility for California's Children's Services and advises and assists him/her on the redevelopment and implementation of CCS policy. This class is distinguished from the lower level class of Supervising Therapist by the scope of responsibility. The Chief Therapist directs the entire physical and occupational therapy program for handicapped children and has ultimate responsibility for several schools and development centers. In addition, this position meets and confers with other medical professionals and services as a team member in evaluating the child’s treatments. Incumbents of the class of Supervising Therapist supervise directly a small staff of therapists. This position is distinct from the Chief of Physical Therapy and Chief of Occupational Therapy in that these positions direct therapy services within a hospital setting for their respective disciplines. The Chief Therapist directs programs at various school sites and development centers in both occupational and physical therapy.

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. Coordinates the county-wide children's therapy program; ensures uniformity of procedures and policies among the medical therapy units by developing and implementing protocols for therapy staff.

2. Provides community awareness and education of California's Children's Services; addresses medical professional groups, civic groups, parents, teachers, students and other interested persons on program services and their availability.

3. Acts as liaison with public and private agencies involved with the therapy program; confers with the Chief of California's Children's Services regarding compliance with State rules and regulations; represents the therapy unit at meetings and professional conferences.

4. Reviews client referrals to verify medical eligibility and to ascertain the need for additional information; contacts physicians, hospitals, social workers, community agencies, families and others in order to determine client's needs.

5. Participates in all medical Therapy Unit clinics, works with the clinic physician, private physicians and therapists in evaluating the client's disability and in developing treatment plans.

6. Develops and directs a training program for student interns; develops an in-service training and educational program for professional staff.

7. Participates in the final selection of new employees, supervises and evaluates the Supervising Therapists; assists staff with work problems; recommends disciplinary action; ensures that staff performance is maintained at acceptable levels.

8. Reviews orthopedic authorizations done by staff; reviews requests for therapy equipment; ensures compliance with rules and regulations regarding appropriation of funds for equipment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Special Requirements:

Registration with the National Registry of Qualified Occupational Therapists.
Possession of a valid certificate to practice as a Registered Physical Therapist,

And

Experience:

The equivalent of four years of experience as an occupational or physical therapist in an institutional or clinical setting of which the equivalent of three years must have been in the treatment of cerebral palsied or similarly handicapped children and the equivalent of two years must have been in a supervisory capacity.

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 “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, methods, equipment, and the basic theory of mental and physical rehabilitation involved in the modern practice of both physical and occupational therapy, especially as applied to cerebral palsied children.
• Principles of effective management and personnel supervision.
• California's Children’s Service Programs.
• Provisions and requirements of governmental and private programs for the treatment and education of handicapped children.

Abilities:

• Planning, organizing and directing a therapy program for cerebral palsied children.
• Evaluating the performance of staff therapists.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative relationships with the community, physicians and various public and private social services agencies.
• Speaking effectively before community groups and organizations.
• Preparing reports and case records.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

DW:lfm
8/23/82
Retyped: 1/85
Old document: 0569h
New document: Jobspecs/5872
ys/7/01
CSC Date: 10/27/82

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)
• 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.