2554-Therapy Aide

Job description

CLASS TITLE: THERAPY AIDE

JOB CODE: 2554

INTRODUCTION

Under immediate supervision, assists Occupational and Physical Therapists in administering treatment as prescribed; sets up, cleans and maintains therapy equipment and treatment area; observes patients and reports any unusual condition or behavior to therapist; makes routine contacts with other employees, individual patients, nurses and physicians; prepares simple records; and performs related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

As a member of the health care team, the Therapy Aide assists the Registered Occupational and/or Physical Therapists in routine and repetitive therapy activities, following established techniques, methods and procedures Incumbents administer a variety of routine, non-professional therapeutic procedures in the care of acutely ill or rehabilitative patients.

Positions in this class are distinguished from the next higher classes of Physical Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapist and Occupational Therapist in that employees in these latter classes perform more complex and difficult therapeutic procedures with a greater latitude for independent judgment and require State licensure or certification.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

None.

MAJOR, IMPORTANT, AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

1. Accompanies or transports patients to and from the therapeutic units; assists in lifting and positioning patients for treatment.

2. Assists therapists in preparing patients for treatment involving the use of therapeutic equipment such as whirlpool, baths, infra-red and ultra violet lamps and administering less difficult treatments as prescribed; and assists patients with routine therapeutic activities as directed by the therapist, including gait training, use of walkers, crutches and canes, and performance of tasks of daily living such as dressing, eating or grooming.

3. Observes patients during their treatment and reports any unusual and/or adverse changes in the patients' conditions to therapist or health care team members.

4. Cleans, disinfects, and maintains equipment and prepares treatment area for patient care; assists in assembling therapeutic devices such as splints and crutches.

5. Prepares and maintains routine records and charts of patients' treatments provided by therapy aide; monitors equipment, linen, and supply inventories.

IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of proper methods of lifting and moving patients.

Ability and skill to effectively work with disabled individual patients and groups; follow oral and written instructions; comply with common hospital safety practices and procedures; and learn to administer simple therapeutic procedures under the direction of a therapist.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

These minimum qualifications establish the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license(s) which are required for employment in the classification. Please note, additional qualifications (i.e., special conditions) may apply to a particular position and will be stated on the exam/job announcement.

Education:

Experience:

One (1) year of experience providing direct and indirect patient/resident care equivalent to the duties described above in a licensed health agency, acute care hospital, rehabilitation unit, home health agency, outpatient clinic or long term care facility

License and Certification:

Substitution:

Current enrollment in a Physical or Occupational Therapy program or completion of at least fifteen (15) semester units of the required prerequisite courses for admission into a Physical or Occupational Therapy program may substitute for six (6) months of the required experience described above.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Requires the ability to lift 50 pounds (successful applicants are expected to perform this ability throughout the probationary and employment period).

PROMOTIVE LINES

ORIGINATION DATE:

AMENDED DATE: 1/26/1987; 6/22/2015

REASON FOR AMENDMENT To accurately reflect the current tasks, knowledge, skills and abilities defined in the most recent job analysis conducted for this job code.

BUSINESS UNIT(S): COMMN

Standard information

Disaster service work

All City and County of San Francisco employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Historic and future compensation