Consultant in Physical Therapy for Physically Handicapped Children
California State Personnel Board Specification
Definition
Under general direction, in the State Department of Health Services, in an assigned region or area of the State, to provide specialized consultant services in the field of physical therapy to local health and related agencies in planning, organizing and directing therapy programs for crippled children; and to do other related work.
Typical Tasks
As a consultant to local agencies, assists in program planning and organizing and evaluating physical therapy services for cerebral palsied and other orthopedically handicapped children and provides professional leadership toward improved performance and program effectiveness; in special schools for orthopedically handicapped children, instructs and trains physical therapists in technical procedures and demonstrates therapy techniques; reviews and advises on treatment programs, and develops evaluation and report techniques; recommends or assists in developing improved methods, services and programs to meet patient needs; plans, organizes and conducts physical therapy conferences, workshops and seminars for improved patient care; assists in the development of in-service training programs in physical therapy; demonstrates special techniques, modalities, and use of therapy equipment; makes recommendations and provides guidance on parent training and study programs; consults with local and State personnel on the needs for extension of therapy units; assists in evaluation of plans for building of therapy units; advises and coordinates with local agencies on the ordering of supplies and equipment; confers with local agency staff and, as necessary, with architects, carpenters and maintenance persons on the construction of special equipment for crippled children and sketches plans for such construction; addresses groups of parents, teachers, students and other interested persons; explains the aims and methods of the physical therapy program and answers inquiries; develops means of evaluating and makes periodic evaluations of physical therapy services and of their results; dictates and prepares correspondence and other reports.
Minimum Qualifications
Possession of legal requirements for practice of physical therapy in California as determined by the California Board of Medical Quality Assurance. and Experience: Four years of experience in therapy work with physically handicapped children in a public health agency, at least one year of which must have been under the direct supervision of a qualified supervisory therapist and two years of which must have been in the field of cerebral palsy. and Education: Graduation from a recognized school of physical or occupational therapy.
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: Principles and methods of physical therapy; therapeutic techniques; theory of mental and physical rehabilitation underlying the practices of physical therapy; objectives of physical treatment for physically handicapped children; skeletal anatomy, kinesiology, basic pathology involved in cerebral palsy; physical and psychological and sociological problems of physically handicapped children and their families; the growth and development of children; methods, techniques and procedures in teaching handicapped children the fundamentals of self-care and other suitable activities; objectives of occupational therapy in the treatment of cerebral palsied children; principles of supervision; Department's Affirmative Action Program objectives; a manager's role in the Affirmative Action Program and the processes available to meet affirmative action objectives.
Ability to: Explain and teach therapeutic treatments to children, nurses, attendants, parents and other interested parties; address groups of people; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; speak and write effectively; communicate well with physicians, educators and others associated with the treatment of the orthopedically handicapped children; effectively contribute to the Department's affirmative action objectives.
