Assesses patient status; plans, administers, and evaluates physical therapy services.

Participates in patient assessment, physical therapy treatment and evaluation.

First-level class of the series. Under direct supervision, assists in assessing patient condition; participates in planning, administering and evaluating physical therapy. Incumbents are new graduates or licensed physical therapists who have not practiced for the past three years.

Participates in assessing patient status, and in planning and implementing treatment programs using physical agents, manual therapy and/or therapeutic exercise;

Participates in writing initial evaluations, progress notes, discharge summaries, and home programs;

Participates as a member of intra- and multi-disciplinary teams in developing treatment goals and evaluating patient progress;

Completes daily charge documents; maintains other clinical records;

Maintains familiarity with all physical therapy services provided;

Maintains clean, safe working environment;

Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge of: skeletal, muscular, and neural anatomy; theories, practices, and techniques of physical therapy including electrotherapy, hydrotherapy, actinotherapy, manual and electrical muscle testing, functional ability testing, massage muscle re education, therapeutic exercise, and other aspects of body mechanics as a means of therapy; equipment used in practice of physical therapy; methods of recording patient progress.

Ability to: establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, physicians, and staff; instruct patients and relatives in post therapy home exercise and precautions.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Completion of Physical Therapy program. Physical ability to move patients and equipment.

New Class: 3-23-87
Revise MQ: 7-2-90
General revision. Revises title (formerly Physical Therapist I), class code (formerly 6136), typical work; adds knowledge and abilities; effective July 1, 2007.