Physical Therapist I/II

THE CURRENT VACANCY IS IN THE SHASTA COUNTY

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY – PUBLIC HEALTH BRANCH

SEE “SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS” SECTION REGARDING 

POSSESSION OF A VALID DRIVERS LICENSE AND PHYSICAL THERAPY LICENSE

RESPONSES TO SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS REQUIRED

APPLICATIONS WILL BE REVIEWED WEEKLY UNTIL POSITION IS FILLED

FINAL FILING DATE: CONTINUOUS

SALARY INFORMATION

Physical Therapist I: $44.43 - $56.71 *APPROXIMATE HOURLY/ $7,701.00 – $9,830.00 *APPROXIMATE MONTHLY

Physical Therapist II: $46.66 - $59.55 *APPROXIMATE HOURLY/ $8,087.00 – 10,321.00 *APPROXIMATE MONTHLY

This position is in the UPEC Professional bargaining unit. Please refer to the applicable bargaining unit labor agreement (Memorandum of Understanding) for potential future salary increases: Shasta County Labor Agreements

ABOUT SHASTA COUNTY

Shasta County offers all of the amenities of the big city while retaining a comfortable small-town atmosphere.  With its natural beauty, affordable housing, excellent educational system, abundance of recreational opportunities, and excellent quality of life, Shasta County is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) partners with the community to protect and improve the health and wellbeing of Shasta County residents. HHSA is organized into four branches: Behavioral Health & Social Services, Public Health, Economic Mobility, and a centralized Administration Services. HHSA promotes optimal health for all. The frail, the abused, the mentally ill, and those without resources look to HHSA for services and resources to meet their basic needs, and to protect their health and safety. 

The Public Health Branch focuses on community-wide prevention of communicable disease, chronic disease, injury, substance abuse, family violence, and lead poisoning. Public Health helps the community develop policies and support community environments that encourage healthy behaviors. It promotes nutrition and physical activity, healthy aging, worksite wellness and healthy communities. Public Health is also where the HHSA’s emergency response unit is headquartered, and its laboratory provides testing services for Shasta and numerous other Northern California counties.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Under general direction, this position is to provide assessment, case management and physical therapy services to physically disabled children, and to do related work as required.   Positions are assigned to the California Children Services Medical Therapy Unit under the Specialty Health Services Branch of the Public Health Department.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Physical Therapist I: classification represents entry-level positions in the Physical Therapist I/II class series.   Incumbents may be considered for promotion to Physical Therapist II after one year of pediatric experience.

The Physical Therapist II: The Physical Therapist II classification represents journey-level positions in the Physical Therapist I/II class series. 

IDEAL CANDIDATE 

The ideal candidate for a physical therapist working in the California Children Services Unit will have the experience and/or desire to work with disabled children from 0-21 years of age and their families; work well in a team approach to therapy; have the ability to be organized and able to prioritize tasks to be completed; be able to communicate with other professionals; have the patience and perseverance to work with and motivate children.

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

The Physical Therapist I: Provides physical therapy services for physically disabled children; institutes therapy as prescribed by physicians; confers with physicians or other physical therapists to determine the type of treatment required in each case; evaluates therapeutic techniques that include but are not limited to gait training, transfer training, therapeutic exercise, community skills, caregiver training, home program instruction, consultation and modalities as indicated; conducts equipment assessment with a physical or occupational therapist; participates in a comprehensive team approach to client services; completes medical records which include evaluation reports, equipment assessments, progress summaries, and clinical notes; process needed information for authorization purposes.  

The Physical Therapist II: Provides physical therapy services for physically disabled children; institutes therapy as prescribed by physicians; confers with physicians or other physical therapists to determine the type of treatment required in each case; evaluates therapeutic techniques that include but are not limited to gait training, transfer training, therapeutic exercise, community skills, caregiver training, home program instruction, consultation and modalities as indicated; conducts equipment assessment with a physical or occupational therapist; participates in a comprehensive team approach to client services; completes medical records which include evaluation reports, equipment assessments, progress summaries, and clinical notes; process needed information for authorization purposes; plans physical therapy services for physically disabled children; administers treatments as prescribed by physicians; assesses the client’s gross motor functioning and implements treatments; provides equipment assessment/reports for authorization; consultation with the families and schools; coordinates with occupational therapists and other community team members to promote a comprehensive team approach; participates in medical therapy conferences; arranges training programs for therapy students or new therapists assigned to the unit for orientation and training; assists in arranging clinics; interprets the therapy program and policies to parents, relatives and the visiting public. 

Any combination of education and experience sufficient to directly demonstrate possession and application of the following:

The Physical Therapist I/II:

Knowledge of: Evaluation and treatment directed toward increasing range of motion, increasing strength, assessing tone, therapeutic exercise, facilitating gross motor development, gait assessment and training, transfer training, wheelchair mobility; setting functional goals, skeletal anatomy, kinesiology, and pathophysiology related to physical therapy and the objectives of physical therapy treatment.

Ability to: Explain and interpret assessment criteria/results, goals/objectives and treatments to clients and parents; choose the appropriate therapeutic technique; use tact and understanding in dealing with patients and families; interact with other professional staff involved with the client; prepare accurate and concise case records; understand and complete oral and written directions; organize and track case management of the clients; teach the client, caregivers, families and appropriate school personnel to ensure effective follow through.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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

Physical Therapist I: Graduation from an accredited physical therapy program and the desire to work with the pediatric population. 

Physical Therapist II: Graduation from an accredited physical therapy program AND one (1) year of experience equivalent to a Physical Therapist I with Shasta County including pediatric experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Physical Therapist I/II:

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS

Responses to the following must be submitted with a completed application.

1. Do you have possession of a current Physical Therapist license in the State of California? Yes/No If yes, please list your license number and expiration date. If no, please type “N/A.”
2. Have you graduated from an accredited physical therapy program. Yes/No 
3. Do you possess 1 (one) year experience as a Physical Therapist? Yes/No If yes, please state the duration, where the experience was obtained, and the duties performed.  If none, please type “N/A”.
4. I acknowledge that this position does require a valid California driver's license. Yes/No

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk; stand; communicate person to person and on the telephone (verbal/auditory); visually read and complete forms/medical reports; visually/cognitively assess client treatment and safety (close vision, distant vision, depth perception, peripheral vision and the ability to adjust and focus); upper extremity fine motor and gross motor coordination to manipulate small objects, access computer equipment, operate tools/equipment, basic office tasks, and coordination/movement necessary to complete client treatment. 

The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms; use proper body mechanics at all times; to lift one to twenty-five pounds from floor to waist; lift ten pounds from waist to shoulder; carry twenty five pounds with assistance as needed; have adequate balance to stabilize self and client during treatment static/dynamic; work at a fast pace; get up and down from the floor; sit on a chair or stool, manipulate tools for mechanical tasks. The employee occasionally is required to squat, kneel, crouch or crawl; climb step stool; reach overhead; lift up to 50 pounds; perform proper body mechanics for a two-person lift. The employee will need the ability to drive a motor vehicle frequently.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and fumes or toxic chemicals. 

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• All new employees are required to have their paycheck directly deposited to a bank account.
• Some positions may require a valid California driver's license and acceptable driving record according to County policy.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for those persons who are disabled under the Americans with Disabilities Act to perform the essential functions of the position.
• As part of the selection process, all individuals provided with a preliminary offer of employment with Shasta County will be subject to a background investigation, including a criminal history check (primarily completed through the taking of fingerprints). An image of your fingerprints will be captured and sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).  The resulting report of your conviction history, (if any), will be evaluated along with the other information received in connection with your application. Except as otherwise required by law, a criminal conviction will not necessarily disqualify you from the position. The nature of the offense, the date of the offense, the surrounding circumstances, and the relevance of the offense to the position applied for may, however, be considered.
• Based on the results of the background investigation and criminal history check, applicants may then be provided with an offer of employment conditioned on the results of a medical examination, which includes drug/alcohol testing. 

• In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, County employees, in the event of a disaster are considered disaster workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.
• Positions in this classification are covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the County and the UPEC Professional.  

Shasta County Personnel will accept applications and responses to the supplemental questions until position is filled. A Resume and/or Cover Letter will be accepted in addition to the application form but will not serve as a substitute for a completed application. It is not acceptable to complete the application with statements such as, “Refer to Resume and/or Cover Letter,” or “See Attached Resume and/or Cover Letter” the employment application must be completed in its entirety prior to submission. Incomplete applications will not be processed. Closing date postmarks or faxes will not be accepted. This recruitment will establish a list that may or may not be used by other departments. Prior applicants must reapply to be considered. 

Applicants will be screened and those considered best qualified will be invited to appear for an oral and/or written examination. Meeting the announced requirements does not guarantee inclusion in the selection process. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of additional application screening, written and/or practical exam(s), oral interview, or any combination thereof. 

Veterans' Credit: Veterans (as defined by California Government Code section 18973) who have been discharged from military service under conditions other than dishonorable and who receive a passing score on all components of the employment examinations (up to and including oral examinations) shall receive credit for an additional five points to be added to their final examination score. To be considered for this credit, a veteran MUST provide a copy of his or her discharge document (DD-214 or equivalent) and information as to the type of discharge (honorable, dishonorable, etc.) with the employment application on or before the final filing date. Applicants are encouraged to apply on-line at  www.ShastaCountyCareers.comor submit an application to the Shasta County Personnel Office.

Arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants with disabilities. Requests for accommodations may be made to the Shasta County Personnel Office by the filing deadline posted on this bulletin. Shasta County does not discriminate on the basis of disability. If you feel you are being denied service based on a disability, our ADA Coordinator may be reached at (530) 225-5515; relay service (800) 735-2922; fax (530) 225-5345.

Shasta County will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Shasta County is concerned about a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting Fair Chance Act | CRD.

SHASTA COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Shasta County Personnel

1450 Court Street, Suite 348; Redding, CA 96001; (530) 225-5515