Under immediate supervision, assists in providing therapeutic treatment to patients with a variety of disabling conditions by performing routine treatments and programs as directed; and does other or related work as required in accordance with Rule 3, Section 3 of the Civil Service Rules.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
Incumbents of this class provide technical assistance to licensed or certified professional occupational, physical, speech, and audiology therapists in therapy programs for patients. Incumbents work under the immediate supervision of licensed or certified professional therapists.
TYPICAL DUTIES
Assists licensed and/or certified professional therapists in implementing therapeutic treatment activities for patients in specific therapies in accordance with the patients’ needs; helps to prepare patients for treatment; uses proper therapeutic techniques and safety precautions.
Observes reactions of patients and reports any changes to licensed and/or certified therapists.
Prepares and maintains treatment areas; maintains supplies; performs biological checks of equipment.
Maintains accurate records, compiles information and prepares reports; may answer telephones or provide other types of departmental support.
Attends staff meetings and in-service education classes.
May transport patients to/from various other departments.
May assist in conducting instructional or therapy classes for patients and/or family members in a therapeutic unit.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EITHER PATTERN I
Experience: One year of experience assisting occupational, physical, or speech therapists in the provision of rehabilitative services to patients with physical, mental, or developmental disabilities.
OR PATTERN II
Experience: Six months of experience as a Nursing Assistant, Public Health Assistant or comparable class in San Joaquin County.
OR PATTERN III
Education: Completion of twenty-four (24) semester units from an approved college or university with a minimum of twelve (12) units in biology, nursing, chemistry, or a related field.
Registration: In accordance with California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 16, § 1399.154.1 – Registration of Aides, the County must register each Therapist Aide who will support speech-language pathology or audiology with the State of California Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board of the Department of Consumer Affairs “the Board”. Any candidate for employment as Therapist Aide assisting with speech-language pathology and/or audiology must, upon request, submit information and documentation as required by CCR §1399.154.4 and understand that upon employment, will be subject to a training program and assessment of competency as reviewed and approved by “the Board”.
KNOWLEDGE
Effective body mechanics; basic safety procedures; common physical and mental impairments and symptoms; basic anatomy and physiology; guest relations; basic record keeping principles.
ABILITY
Learn therapy procedures and equipment; communicate clearly; understand and carefully follow oral and written instructions of a technical and professional nature; explain technical procedures to others; elicit confidence of patients; maintain records and prepare written reports; assist and move patients; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; maintain excellent customer relations; use good judgment; perform essential physical/mental requirements, with or without reasonable accommodation, including, but not limited to: standing/sitting for long periods, walking, pushing, pulling, bending, and transferring heavy patients who may require maximum assistance.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Mobility-Constant keyboard operation; sits, stands, walks, pushes and pulls, bends and squats frequently; runs and climbs stairs occasionally; lifts, positions, pushes, and/or transfers supplies and equipment. Lifting-Lifts up to 30 pounds occasionally; restrains, lifts/turns heavy objects or people occasionally. Visual-Constant use of overall vision, color perception, depth perception, hand/eye coordination; reading and close-up work and peripheral vision. Dexterity-Constant holding, reaching, grasping, and writing. Repetitive motion is required occasionally. Hearing/Talking-Hears and talks in person constantly. Occasionally hears on telephone/radio, faint sounds, and occasionally talks on the telephone. Emotional/Psychological-Occasional exposure to emergency situations, trauma, grief, death, and hazard materials; occasional travel; constant public contact, decision making and concentration. Environmental-Occasional exposure to noise; may be exposed to varied indoor temperatures; occasional exposure to cleaning agents. Other-Occasional exposure to conflict; must be capable of working with physically challenged children and adults.
San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
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