State of Maryland

A Physical Therapy Assistant I is the intermediate level of work at Maryland Department of Health (MDH) designated Court Involved (CI) Facilities providing limited physical therapy treatments to patients/clients under the direction of a Physical Therapist at State treatment or rehabilitation facilities or community-based programs.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification receive moderate supervision from a Physical Therapist.  Employees are required to observe infection control precautions in order to prevent contamination and the spread of disease.  Employees may be required to physically restrain patients/clients displaying violent and aggressive behavior.  The work may require lifting patients, wheelchairs and heavy equipment.  

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 Therapy Assistant I and the Physical Therapy Assistant II are differentiated on the basis of degree of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees.  The Physical Therapy Assistant I performs duties under close supervision at times and under general supervision at other times depending on the complexity of the specific duty being performed.  The Physical Therapy Assistant II performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Carries out individual physical therapy treatment plans that have been developed by a Physical Therapist;

Applies heat, cold, light, water and massage to patients/clients in accordance with established procedure;

Trains patients in exercise, ambulation, activities of daily living, use of adaptive equipment and positioning aids;

Documents patient/client progress by adding to and maintaining ongoing records, such as daily and monthly statistical sheets, progress notes, and annual progress reports;

Positions and exercises patients/clients based upon knowledge of the patient/client condition and the individual treatment plan;

Orders, constructs, adapts and maintains adaptive equipment and positioning aids such as footrests, headrests and seatbelts;

Assists the Physical Therapist during tests, evaluations and complex treatment procedures;

Perform other related duties.

Knowledge of the principles and techniques of physical therapy;

Knowledge of the care and maintenance of the equipment used in physical therapy;

Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology;

Knowledge of diseases and disabilities which commonly result in limited physical capabilities;

Ability to carry out physical therapy techniques;

Ability to instruct patients/clients in therapeutic exercise, gait and daily living skills;

Ability to observe patient for possible progression or regression;

Ability to maintain statistical records and write progress reports.

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

Experience: None.

1. Candidates for positions on this classification must possess a current license as a Physical Therapy Assistant from the Maryland State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, 4140 Patterson Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21225.

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 a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

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 Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled 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 D, Health and Human Service Nonprofessionals classes.  As provided by the 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.             

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime, as provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.    

This classification is one level in a Non-Competitive Promotion (NCP) series.   NCP promotions are promotions by which employees may advance in grade and  class level from trainee to full performance level in a classification series.  In order to be non-competitively promoted to the next level in a NCP series, an employee must: 1) perform the main purpose of the class, as defined by the Nature of Work section of the class specification; 2) receive the type of supervision defined in the class specification and 3) meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.  

July 1 2021 12:00AM