State of Connecticut Executive Branch

In a state facility or agency region this class is accountable for providing professional physical therapy services to individuals with an intellectual disability or other developmental disabilities.

This class is used in one of the following ways:

• CLINICAL:  Responsible for the assessment, planning and administration of physical therapy services.
• CONSULTING: On a statewide basis, accountable for acting as a consultant in the review of physical therapy services for licensure and certification requirements, quality, propriety, timeliness and/or payment requests.

Works under the general supervision of a Physical Therapy Supervisor or other employee of higher grade.

May supervise/lead lower level employees provides training and consultation to direct care staff on activities related to the specialty.

CLINICAL:

• Selects, plans and administers a physical therapy program for rehabilitation of individuals with an intellectual disability or other developmental disabilities;
• Arranges individual treatment schedules for habilitation and rehabilitation;
• Refers individuals to other disciplines such as speech or hearing for further assessment;
• Selects diagnostic tools;
• Provides in-service training to staff on physical therapy practices;
• Serves as a consultant or clinical advisor to other staff, programs or units;
• Coordinates physical therapy services with other disciplines such as occupational and rehabilitation therapy;
• Leads unit staff meetings to discuss individual progress and treatment plans;
• Performs diagnostic tests to determine individual level of functioning;
• Writes and implements treatment plans;
• Applies physical properties of heat, cold, light, water and electricity in individual treatment;
• Presents individual cases at interdisciplinary team meetings;
• Participates in an extensive program of physical therapeutic activities including corrective exercise and muscle training;
• Transports and escorts individuals to clinics for consultation with physician regarding treatment and individual progress;
• Teaches and supervises physical therapy techniques to parents, assistants and direct care staff and students/interns gaining clinical experience;
• Fits and orders wheelchairs;
• Orders supplies and equipment;
• Assists in developing departmental procedures;
• Maintains individual records;
• Writes individual evaluations and progress notes;
• Designs, repairs and may fabricate adaptive equipment;
• May serve as a resource person in a specialty area;
• May make home visits to assess individual living situation and make recommendations for services;
• May serve as a Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional (QIDP);
• Performs related duties as required.

• Coordinates physical therapy services;
• Provides consultative services with regard to physical therapy;
• Provides consultative services on adaptive devices;
• Considers requests for services and equipment based on availability and appropriateness;
• Assists physicians and other professionals in determining appropriateness of physical therapy services;
• Provides physical therapy services to individuals;
• Performs related duties as required.

• Knowledge of
  • principles and practices of physical therapy;
  • applied anatomy, physiology and kinesiology;
  • concepts and practices in public health;
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
• Skill in administering competent treatments and diagnostic tests;
• Ability to
  • instruct others in principles and practices of physical therapy;
  • gain confidence, interest and cooperation of individuals with an intellectual disability or other developmental disabilities;
  • utilize computer software.

Incumbents in this class must possess and maintain licensure as a Physical Therapist issued by the Connecticut State Department of Public Health in accordance with the applicable Connecticut General Statutes.

• Incumbents in this class may be required to be fluent in a foreign language or proficiency in the use of American Sign Language in certain designated positions.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to danger of injury and to moderately disagreeable conditions while providing treatment to individuals.

This replaces the existing specification for the class of Physical Therapist (40 Hour) in Salary Group FP 25 approved effective October 18, 2019. (Reviewed for content and revised to update terminology, modernize format and add an Acknowledgement section) Final No. 23-254