Job Specification
PRINCIPAL PHYSICAL THERAPIST
DEFINITION
Under direction of a Physician and Supervisor of Physical Therapy in
the Department of Human Service and Department of Health, provides
direct care, trains and supervises professional and support staff, and
plans and directs the physical therapy services in one or more units
within an institution; performs related work.
NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative
purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform
all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties
performed on the job may not be listed.
EXAMPLES OF WORK:
Surveys patients to identify those with previously undetected problems
and/or reviews written or verbal information concerning patients to
determine the need for physical therapy services.
Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has
responsibility for employee evaluations and for effectively
recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or
disciplining of employees.
Conducts individualized, detailed, and documented assessments of
patients known or suspected of having handicapped conditions.
Evaluates patient to aid in establishing diagnosis, prognosis,
problems, goals, placement, and treatment plan.
Establishes objectives and specific remediation techniques for
patients receiving physical therapy services.
Plans and prepares written treatment programs based on evaluation of
available patient data.
In educational settings, participates on Individual Education Plan
(IEP) committees for students requiring physical therapy services.
Plans and integrates physical therapy services within one or more
units.
Maintains patient and other records.
Educates and assists patient's family in providing follow-up patient
care.
Attends staff conferences and confers with staff and specialist
consultants.
Implements a patient care delivery system in conjunction with
appropriate medical staff.
Directs and coordinates physical therapy services including
contractual services, consultant services, and in-house programs in
one or more units.
Participates in physical therapy staff conferences and/or related and
inter-departmental meetings.
May conduct physical therapy audits within one or more units.
Provides assignments and instructions to physical therapists, aides,
students, and other assigned employees.
Confers with physician and other professional personnel regarding
patients' total treatments.
Supervises and monitors the administration of treatment by subordinate
staff.
Develops seminars for physical therapy staff.
Assists in the development and implementation of in-service training
programs to accommodate all levels and program areas of institution
staff.
Supervises program support activities such as scheduling of patients.
Acts as a clinical educator to senior and paraprofessional physical
therapy staff performing tests, evaluations, and complex treatment
procedures recording test results.
May be required to engage in lifting clients when working in a setting
that provides direct services to clients who are nonambulant or
semiambulant and/or have severe physical handicaps.
Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic
and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by
the agency, office, or related units.
REQUIREMENTS:
LICENSE:
Applicants must possess a license as a Physical Therapist
issued by the Department of Law & Public Safety, Board of Physical
Therapists.
Applicants to positions in day training centers and other
educational facilities under the jurisdiction of the New Jersey
Department of Education will also be required to possess a license as
a School Physical Therapist issued by the New Jersey Department of
Education.
Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license
valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than
employee mobility, is necessary to perform in essential duties of
the position
EXPERIENCE:
Three (3) years of experience as a physical therapist.
SPECIAL NOTE
Ability to physically lift, move, and position clients as
needed.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of the principles of physical therapy
Knowledge of the equipment used in physical therapy treatment.
Knowledge of the effects of physical therapy procedures, indications,
and contraindications for treatment, and precautionary measures to
observe when treating patients.
Knowledge of the methods used to conduct patient assessments and
evaluations.
Ability to evaluate patients to determine the type of physical therapy
treatment required.
Ability to perform appropriate physical therapy treatment procedures.
Ability to observe and accurately record patients' reactions and
progress.
Ability to fit and adjust orthotic and prosthetic appliances.
Ability to evaluate patients' need for adaptive equipment.
Ability to adjust and make minor repairs to physical therapy equipment
and apparatus.
Ability to identify potential hazards and dangerous situations and to
take measures required eliminating them.
Ability to work effectively with associates and patients.
Ability to prepare reports and maintain essential records and files.
Ability to interpret laws, rules and regulations and apply them to
specific situations.
Ability to prepare treatment and instructional programs.
Ability to provide guidance, instruction and training to professional
and support staff and evaluate their performance.
Ability to manage all physical therapy related clinics (wheelchair,
orthopedic shoe, orthotic, prosthetic, physiatric, and so forth) as
directed by supervisor.
Ability to fabricate simple physical therapy equipment.
Ability to evaluate, fit, and adjusts orthotic and prosthetic
appliances, and mobility devices.
Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual
recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or
related units.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English
sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign
Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of
communication.
Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as
they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable
accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation
cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship,
such persons may not be eligible.
This job specification is applicable to the following title code: | | Job
Spec
Code | Variant | State,
Local or
Common | Class of
Service | Work
Week | State
Class
Code | Local
Class
Code | Salary
Range | Note | | 03696 | | S | C | 40 | 25 | N/A | R26 | - |
This job specification is for state government use only.
Salary range is only applicable to state government.
Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions.
9/30/2017 |
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