Physical/Occupational Therapist-Supervising

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To be included in the first screening, completed application materials must be submitted by Thursday, September 19th at 5:00 pm. After this date, applications will be screened on a bi-weekly basis.

The Placer County Public Health division of the Health & Human Services Department is offering an exciting employment opportunity for qualified individuals interested in the Physical/Occupational Therapist Supervisor position.  Under general direction, the Physical/Occupational Therapist Supervisor directs, manages, supervises, and coordinates the day-to-day operations, activities, and work of staff assigned to the Medical Therapy Program within the California Children's Services (CCS) program; coordinates assigned activities with other divisions, departments, outside agencies, and the general public; and acts as a liaison between the school administration and the medical therapy unit.  Assigned staff may include Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and an Administrative Clerk Senior.  The ideal candidate will have supervisory experience in a medical therapy unit, be comfortable working independently, and have a solid grasp of principles and practices of Occupational and Physical Therapy treatment for pediatric clients in an outpatient rehabilitative setting.

Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees. The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view Placer Public Employees Organization (PPEO) benefits.

For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.

To plan, organize, and coordinate all operations of the Medical Therapy Unit (MTU) for the California Children’s Services (CCS) Program; supervise, review, and evaluate the work of assigned professional and other support staff; plan, direct, and evaluate therapy and medical services for physically and medically disabled children, and initiate integrated methods of treatment to facilitate a comprehensive team approach; to consult with public and private agencies in planning the appropriate therapy and medical services.

The Supervising Physical/Occupational Therapist functions as a first-line supervisor with responsibilities that include planning, assigning, and evaluating the work of subordinate therapists and is responsible for a program area within a major work unit, division, department, or multi-disciplinary and collaborative program/project.

This class is distinguished from the Health & Human Services Program Manager in that the latter is responsible for a broad range of management over multiple division programs, work units, and activities whereas the former is responsible for day-to-day supervision of staff and operations of the Medical Therapy Unit.  This class is further distinguished from the lower class of Senior Physical/Occupational Therapist by the regular, continuous performance of the full range of supervisory duties.

Receives general direction from a Health and Human Services Program Manager or higher-level manager.

Exercises direct supervision over assigned professional, technical, clinical, and clerical personnel.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:  

• Plan, organize, and direct the overall services of the Medical Therapy Unit including Medical Therapy Clinic coordination. Review client caseloads and coordination of services to clients.
• Participate in the selection of staff; provide or coordinate staff training; conduct performance evaluations; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline procedures.
• Plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, and review the work of staff involved in providing physical and occupational therapy activities.
• Coordinate data, resources, and work products as necessary and upon request in support of a productive and positive working environment.
• Recommend and assist in the implementation of unit goals and objectives; establish schedules and methods for the Medical Therapy Unit; implement policies and procedures.
• Evaluate operations and activities of assigned responsibilities; recommend improvements and modifications; prepare various reports on operations and activities.
• Maintain accurate records and case notes; prepare statistical reports, correspondence, and other written materials; gather and compile information on operations and activities for reporting purposes.
• Provide administrative coordination of Medical Therapy Unit clinics; provide analysis and justification for staffing; monitor budget allocations and expenditures; coordinate the ordering of supplies and equipment for clients and for the Medical Therapy Unit.
• Assure compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Consult with State CCS regarding program and funding needs and impact of changes.
• Attend meetings and seminars relative to the therapy program to maintain proficiency.
• Evaluate subordinate therapists and review the effectiveness of the therapy services program; and initiate, change, or develop new therapy programs when appropriate.
• Provide policy guidance to the other therapists and Public Health Nurses.
• Perform the most complex case management and physical or occupational therapy duties.
• Supervise case management; assist staff in solving difficult client treatment problems.
• Under CCS guidelines, assist with determining medical eligibility for Medical Therapy Unit program by reviewing medical reports and conferring with the medical consultant; consult with the medical consultant regarding complex medical diagnoses, medical treatment, and medical eligibility on complex or unusual cases.
• Act as liaison for the Medical Therapy Unit and community; coordinate treatment plans and work with the CCS administrative staff, community organizations, health and education authorities, therapy staff, other therapy providers, parents, and teachers to facilitate comprehensive approaches to therapy; work in compliance with regulatory and administrative requirements.
• Explain program requirements and procedures to physicians, parents, school personnel, and other public and private agencies.
• Collaborate with staff in other programs, projects, and multi-disciplinary teams; attend required meetings.
• Represent Placer County at state and local meetings.
• Coordinate CCS with other County, private, and community agencies and organizations serving disabled children. 
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

Experience and Training: 
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be: 

Experience: Equivalent of four (4) years of full-time paid experience as a Physical or Occupational Therapist, including one (1) year working with children providing medically based therapy in an outpatient, inpatient or rehabilitation setting.  One (1) year of supervisory or lead experience is desirable.  

Training:  Graduation from an accredited college of physical therapy or occupational therapy.  

Required License or Certificate:

• Possession of a current valid license as a Physical Therapist issued by the Physical Therapy Board of California, or registration with the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. and a current valid license as an Occupational Therapist issued by the California Board of Occupational Therapy.
• Possession of a valid driver's license. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Knowledge of: 

• Principles and practices of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Advanced principles, techniques, and developments in physical or occupational therapy, with emphasis on the physical and psychological problems of children who have neuromuscular and/or orthopedic handicaps.
• Public and community agencies providing services to special needs population.
• Growth and development of children.
• Pertinent laws, rules, regulations, operational, and administrative requirements of providing physical and occupational therapy and requirements of the CCS program.
• Diagnostic (identification) and prognostic (predictive) tests used in evaluations.
• Integrated service delivery patterns in child health programming.
• Occupational and physical therapeutic services as a part of a local child health programs.
• Principles of budget monitoring.
• Principles and practices of work safety.
• Cultural, religious, economic, and social groups and relationships to the delivery and acceptance of health and human services.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and applicable computer hardware/software.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.  

Ability to:

• Supervise, train, and evaluate assigned staff.
• Provide and supervise effective medical case management and therapy.
• Act as a resource and leader for other therapists.
• Perform evaluative tests of physical abilities.
• Coordinate multiple projects and meet critical deadlines.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action.
• Explain and interpret tests, diagnoses, objectives, and methods to patients, parents, caregivers, and school personnel.
• Explain and teach therapeutic activities to parents, care providers, and other professionals.
• Work as a team member in the therapy effort to ensure carry over in the treatment and training of patients.
• Work effectively with other health care professionals, parents, client, and school staff.
• Prepare reports and records.
• Represent the CCS program to inter-agency and community groups and to State CCS.
• Prepare accurate and complete records, case notes, correspondence, statistical reports, and other written materials.
• Use initiative and sound judgment within established guidelines; make appropriate administrative decisions.
• Interpret and explain pertinent County and Department policies and procedures.
• Assist in the development and monitoring of an assigned program budget.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
• On an intermittent basis, sit at desk for long periods of time while preparing reports; intermittently walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, twist, and reach while assisting patients in moving to and from treatment area and in providing treatment and instructional activities; intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; see with sufficient visual acuity to observe patient's physical skills; and lift very heavy weight.

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training, and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula. Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

Length of Probation:

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a voice stress analysis and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification.  For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey level) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please click here.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over),  marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.