Physical Therapist - II

Introduction

To learn more about working in the Medical Therapy Unit of Placer County's Health and Human Services Department, please click on the "Day in the Life" video below:

Meet HHS: Karen (Public Health) on Vimeo

POSITION INFORMATION

This recruitment will be open until filled. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. Applications will be screened on a bi-weekly basis.

The Department of Health and Human Services is currently hiring for two Physical Therapist - II vacancies. This position plans and performs therapy for children with neurologic and/or orthopedic diagnosis such as cerebral palsy, myelomeningocele, amputations, arthritis or similar conditions and provides evaluative assessments and treatments for newborns to 21 years of age.

The current vacancy is located in Newcastle, approximately five minutes west of Auburn, California. This position may also require working from Roseville part of the week. The majority of services are provided at the Newcastle clinic, with occasional home visits within Placer County.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future permanent and/or extra help vacancies as they arise.

Temporary/Extra-help assignments are limited to 28 hours per week with a cap of 999 hours (or 960 hours for CalPERS retired annuitants) in a fiscal year and are not eligible for benefits. Extra-help appointments made from this eligible list may transition to permanent status, should vacancies arise.

Subject to approval by the appointing authority and upon successful completion of a foreign language proficiency examination, an additional 5% bilingual pay will be paid to employees who use a second language on a regular basis in the normal course of business.

BENEFITS

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 Professional benefits

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

DEFINITION

To plan and perform professional physical therapy services for children who are neurologically and/or orthopedically disabled due to cerebral palsy, myelomeningocele, amputations, arthritis, or similar condition.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the full journey level class within the Physical Therapist series. This class is distinguished from the Physical Therapist I by the assignment of the full range of duties. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the entry level.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direction from the Supervising Physical/Occupational Therapist. May receive technical and functional supervision from a Senior Physical Therapist.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

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

• Evaluate functional skills, range of motion, and muscle strength of children using appropriate assessment tools; establish physical therapy treatment goals and plan of service.
• Administer physical therapy care to children; observe behavior and progress; assess and evaluate treatment; adjust treatment as needed; maintain clinical notes and records; prepare related reports.
• Conduct direct therapy including gait and other muscle training exercises to improve coordination and mobility; facilitate breathing exercises; teach exercises that can be done with caregiver assistance.
• Instruct children in walking, standing, balancing, and use of gait devices and braces; teach children functional skills related to everyday activities.
• Visit the child’s home to evaluate home environment for accessibility; work with child’s caregivers to understand concerns with obstacles preventing functional development.
• Work with community organizations and health and education authorities in integrating state and local programs for children with physical disabilities; organize clinics and participate in conferences, study groups, and caregiver parent and community meetings.
• Supervise the care of braces and other orthopedic equipment; design and/or direct the construction of special equipment; order or assist in ordering orthopedic and therapeutic equipment and supplies; maintain treatment area and equipment.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is typically performed in both an indoor office and medical treatment environment with controlled temperature conditions and out in the field, requiring travel to various homes and locations in a variety of outdoor weather conditions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Two (2) years of responsible physical therapist experience performing duties similar to a Physical Therapist I with Placer County, including one (1) year working with children providing medically based therapy in an outpatient, inpatient, or rehabilitation setting.

Training: Graduation from an accredited college of physical therapy.

Required License or Certificate:

• Possession of a current valid license as a Physical Therapist issued by the Physical Therapy Board of California.
• May need to possess a valid driver’s license as required by the position. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Principles and methods of physical therapy.
  
• Skeletal anatomy and kinesiology.
  
• Basic pathology and neurology involved in cerebral palsy and other disabling conditions such as myelomeningocele, amputations and arthritis, relative to the objectives of physical therapy.
  
• Growth and development of children.
  
• Physical and psychological problems of physically disabled children and their families.
  
• Use and care of orthopedic and therapeutic appliances and equipment.
  
• English usage, spelling, punctuation, and grammar; arithmetic and basic mathematical calculations.
  
• Rules and regulations for operating under California Children's Services Program.
  
• Policies and procedures of the County and Health and Human Services Department, especially as related to the Children's Physical Therapy Program.
  

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports, and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and problem solve operational and technical policies and procedures; teach and explain the fundamentals of self-care and other related activities to children, caregivers, teachers, and other professionals.
• On an intermittent basis, sit at a desk for long periods of time while preparing reports; continuously walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, twist, stoop, crouch, crawl, balance, feel, 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 and power grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation; use telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate; see with sufficient visual acuity to observe patient's physical skills; hear with sufficient acuity to be aware of a patient’s audible responses to treatment and ensure equipment is functioning properly; lift very heavy weight.
• Explain and teach physical therapy to children, caregivers, teachers, and other professionals.
• Prepare reports and keep records of case histories.
• Evaluate the effectiveness and applicability of orthopedic and therapeutic appliances and equipment.
• Use equipment and supplies utilized in physical therapy treatment; use various hand tools such as screwdrivers and wrenches to adjust therapy equipment and devices.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Obtain information through interviews; deal fairly and courteously with the public; and impart instructional information to patients, their families, and caregivers.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action.
• Use general office machines and technology.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Independently perform physical therapy assessments, provide treatment, and instruct clients, caregivers, and families in home exercise programs.
  

SELECTION PROCEDURE

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.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

Length of Probation:

All permanent appointments to this classification shall serve a probationary period of twelve (12) calendar months or two thousand eighty (2,080) hours, whichever is more.

Bargaining Unit:

Professional

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

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.

EMPLOYEES OF OTHER PUBLIC AGENCIES

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.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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.

Closing Date/Time: Open Until Filled

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• Placer County

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