Physical Therapist - Physically Handicapped Children (PHC)

County of Monterey • Salinas, CA

9d

About The Position

The Health Department’s Public Health Bureau is hiring a full-time Physical Therapist–Physically Handicapped Children (PT-PHC) for the California Children’s Services (CCS) Medical Therapy Program. The role provides physical therapy services to children with physical disabilities, including evaluation, treatment planning, therapy, and documentation of patients’ treatment and progress. The PT-PHC works with a multidisciplinary team and with families, schools, and community agencies to meet children’s therapy needs. The CCS Medical Therapy Program’s mission is to maximize the quality of life for children with special needs through physical and occupational therapy, ongoing assessment, treatment, and consultation to children, families, and the community.

The position evaluates children from birth through age 21 with eligible orthopedic or neuromuscular conditions, establishes treatment goals, and provides therapy and guidance to children, parents, and other care providers. It also assesses needs for durable medical equipment, orthotics, and prosthetics; designs and constructs adaptive equipment; and teaches children and parents its proper use and care. Candidates hired into regular full-time positions in this classification at the Health Department may be eligible for a signing bonus of up to $10,000. The recruitment eligibility list may be used to fill current and future regular or temporary vacancies.

Requirements

• Complete coursework and graduate from an accredited school of Physical Therapy approved by the Board of the American Physical Therapy Association.
• Approximately two years of experience as a licensed physical therapist.
• Possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver’s license or provide suitable transportation approved by the appointing authority.
• Possess a valid, unexpired license to practice physical therapy issued by the State Board of Medical Quality Assurance.
• Successfully complete a background check, including fingerprinting.
• Be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during disasters or emergencies, and travel out of the county to attend meetings.
• Demonstrate thorough knowledge of modern physical therapy principles and methods, particularly as applied to children with physical disabilities.
• Demonstrate knowledge of anatomy, physiology, neuromuscular functions and dysfunctions, kinesiology, and basic pathology involved in cerebral palsy cases.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the proper use and care of durable medical equipment, orthotics, and prosthetics.
• Be able to administer physical therapy treatments and exercises; analyze, evaluate, and draw logical conclusions from data; interpret physician orders and therapy and equipment instructions; maintain records and prepare reports; teach and instruct parents and children; and develop cooperative work relationships.

Nice To Haves

• Approximately two years of experience providing therapy to physically handicapped children.
• Ability to speak, read, and write in English and Spanish.

Responsibilities

• Provide physical therapy treatments and instruct children, parents, and other care providers in home therapeutic exercise programs.
• Maintain patient records and prepare reports on treatment and progress.
• Evaluate children from birth to age 21 with eligible orthopedic or neuromuscular conditions using appropriate tests, including range-of-motion, manual muscle, functional and developmental abilities, sensory, and neurological reflex tests.
• Plan physical therapy programs and establish appropriate goals and objectives.
• Coordinate with physicians, teachers, parents, professional and non-professional staff, local health and educational authorities, and community organizations to support children’s therapy goals.
• Assess the need for durable medical equipment, orthotics, and prosthetics.
• Design and construct adaptive equipment and instruct children and parents in its proper use and care.

Benefits

• Excellent benefits package for eligible employees.
• Signing bonus of up to $10,000 may be available to candidates hired into regular full-time positions in this classification at the Health Department.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time