State of Maryland

A Physical Therapist III Lead is the lead level of work providing physical therapy treatments to patients/clients that are aged, physically ill, have physical disabilities, behavioral health diagnoses, or developmental disabilities of State inpatient, residential or vocational rehabilitation treatment facilities or community-based programs in clinic, school or home settings. The work of this classification includes responsibility for the assessment, planning and implementation of clients’/patients’ physical therapy treatment. Employees in this classification assign, review, evaluate and approve the work of and train lower-level Physical Therapists.

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 of this classification 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 Lead is differentiated from the Physical Therapist II in that 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 in a State inpatient, residential or vocational rehabilitation treatment facility or community-based program under general supervision. The Physical Therapist III Lead is differentiated from the Physical Therapist III Advanced in that the Physical Therapist III Advanced functions as the sole Physical Therapist in a State facility or local Health Department. The Physical Therapist III Lead is differentiated from the Physical Therapist Supervisor in that the Physical Therapist Supervisor has supervisory responsibility for lower-level Physical Therapists.

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

Trains lower-level Physical Therapists;

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.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of physical therapy;

Knowledge of training techniques and procedures;

Knowledge of the use and care of physical therapy equipment;

Knowledge of human anatomy, physiology and kinesiology;

Knowledge of diseases and disabilities and their etiology, pathology, complications and prognosis;

Knowledge of medical, surgical, psychological and educational procedures used in the physical therapy treatment of patients/clients;

Knowledge of medications and their side effects;

Skill in recognizing changes in patient/client progress;

Skill in adapting treatment to patient/client needs;

Skill in motivating patients/clients;

Skill in using and caring for physical therapy equipment;

Skill in fitting and adapting prosthetic and orthotic devices to the specific need of the patient/client;

Skill in planning, organizing and directing physical therapy treatments;

Skill in preparing and maintaining reports;

Skill in communicating effectively with patients, clients, staff and the public;

Ability to train, assign, review and approve the work of Physical Therapists and students.

Education:   Determined by the Maryland State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners under the licensing requirements for Physical Therapists.

Experience: Three years of experience as a Physical Therapist.

Notes:

1. A Master’s degree in Physical Therapy from an accredited college or university may be substituted for two years of the required experience.

2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Therapy classifications or Therapy specialty codes in the Physical Therapy field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience. 

1. Candidates for positions in this classification must possess a current license as a Physical Therapist from the Maryland State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, 4140 Patterson Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21215.

2. Employees in this classification may be required to successfully complete and maintain current certification of cardiopulmonary resuscitation training.

3. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of an automobile. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

1. Employees in this classification will 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 specifications 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.

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 Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.  

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit E, Health Care Professional classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.