Physical Therapy Specialist

Summary

Job Category:
Health Care
Job Title:
Physical Therapy Specialist
Job Category Definition:
This specialty includes the delivery of health care treatment and the development and management of health care-related programs. Functions include performing a variety of complex procedures, assessments, specialized exams, and client education; developing and managing programs in the health care or clinical research setting; and providing patient or research subject care and support in departmental activities and operations.
Job Title Definition:
The Physical Therapy Specialist exercises broad oversight of a variety of activities relating to physical therapy and/or clinical research including proper performance of assessments, examinations and treatments, accurate client education, appropriate ordering and reporting of test results, and proper use of consultations; serves as a resource for internal and external customers; provides sound interpretation and application of professional standards of practice and overall adherence to policies, procedures and protocols; may hire and supervise staff, develop and manage budgets; develop, conduct and analyze quality improvement initiatives; plan, deliver and evaluate educational programming; develop, conduct and analyze needs assessments and research projects, manage and analyze data. Duties are performed at various levels within the defined title.
Working Conditions:
Specific physical requirements and effort are outlined in Job Responsibilities Worksheet (list of essential job duties and responsibilities specific to a particular job at the unit level) in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
Other Requirements:
Compliance with OSHA regulations, Standard Precautions for bloodborne pathogens and specific standards of practice within the appropriate discipline.

Levels

Level 1  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
HCHC0301 D Non-Exempt

Level 1 positions typically demonstrate baseline working knowledge of routine work applications; follow standard principles and systems and use appropriate terminology associated with a particular field of specialization; participate as a team member in a collaborative environment within a diverse workforce; actively contribute to completion of team goals and assigned tasks; clearly communicate information, ideas, or instructions verbally and in writing; follow recommended approach to assigned work to facilitate achievement of desired results; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; typically work under direct and frequent supervision while performing routine duties using established procedures with detailed instructions.

Typical Education & Experience

1+ years related experience

High School Diploma or higher

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Typical Work Duties
  • Gather and record accurate patient data
  • Assist patients/research subjects in preparation for and participation in tests, rehab and protocols
  • Assist with office operations in order to maintain efficient services and quality patient care
  • May participate in orientation programs
  • Perform accurate patient procedures
  • Set up appropriate equipment
  • Perform equipment maintenance according to manufacturer’s recommendations
  • Operate equipment according to manufacturers recommended standards
  • Give input to supervisors of potential changes to improve various work unit activities

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 2  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
HCHC0302 H Non-Exempt

Level 2 positions typically demonstrate intermediate knowledge of the concepts, practices and procedures of a particular field of specialization; perform intermediate tasks in defined skill areas/applications by continuously building on current job knowledge; maintain effective relationships with peers, vendors, and others in a diverse environment; support team decisions and follow through with team responsibilities; interpret information, ideas and instructions and communicate clearly and accurately both verbally and in writing including materials intended for distribution; determine causes of unusual occurrences and apply standard principles and practices to determine and implement solutions; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; typically work under general supervision, while performing assignments that are varied and that may be somewhat difficult in character, but usually involve limited responsibility.

Typical Education & Experience

1+ years related experience

Associate’s Degree or higher

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Required Certifications, Registrations or Licensure: Licensure as Physical Therapy Assistant

Typical Work Duties
  • Provide patient care in accordance with licensing regulations
  • Apply standard practices and techniques in specific situations, correlate data, recognize discrepancies in results and follow operations through a series of related detailed steps or processes
  • Using accepted methods and techniques, contribute to the development, implementation, and analysis of work unit projects
  • May supervise staff and students in the completion of routine tasks, orientation programs and department initiatives
  • Give input to supervisors of potential changes to improve various work unit activities
  • Take measurements and record observations, collect, compile and process data in support of work unit projects and University approved research
  • Contribute data/findings for use in technical reports, documents or oral/written presentations
  • Interact in a collaborative manner with other team members to accomplish organizational goals

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 3  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
HCHC0303 J Exempt

Level 3 positions typically demonstrate proficient and comprehensive knowledge of defined skill areas/applications to integrate fundamental elements from other specialties into work assignments; apply knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field of specialization to complete difficult assignments; promote a culture that is conducive to effective relationships among diverse team members; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; may lead a project team involved in completion of difficult assignments, requiring proficient knowledge of field of specialization; interpret and communicate information, ideas and instructions clearly, accurately and persuasively both verbally and in writing including materials intended for distribution; incorporate new facts and ideas into group processes and apply creative thinking to develop new solutions; typically work with minimal supervision on difficult assignments, conferring with manager on unusual matters.

Typical Education & Experience

3+ years related experience

Bachelor’s Degree or higher in an applicable Physical Therapy discipline

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Required Certifications, Registrations or Licensure: Licensure as Physical Therapist

Typical Work Duties
  • Provide patient care in accordance with licensing regulations: provide independent patient assessment, evaluation and treatment
  • Apply standard practices and techniques in appropriate situations, correlate data, recognize discrepancies in results and follow operations through a series of related detailed steps or processes
  • Using accepted methods and techniques, contribute to the development, implementation, and analysis of work unit procedures, protocols and projects
  • Take measurements and record observations, collect, compile and process data in support of work unit projects and University approved research
  • May supervise the work of assigned unit personnel and students
  • Assist with the development and implementation of orientation programs
  • Interact in a collaborative manner with other team members to accomplish organization goals; provide ideas to improve efficiency at group level; may network beyond own peer group
  • Initiate or contribute data/analysis/design for use in reports, documents, proposals, or oral/written presentations
  • Investigate and evaluate practical applicability of potential changes to various work unit activities
  • Perform tasks of a larger scope and lead specific tasks within a project

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 4  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
HCHC0304 K Exempt

Level 4 positions typically demonstrate advanced knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field of specialization and complete complex assignments; integrate complex elements from other specialties into work assignments; demonstrate a strong commitment to inclusionary practices which support diversity throughout the University; establish a shared vision and take responsibility for the achievement of team goals, and provide direction for appropriate implementation of plans; present ideas, concepts and instructions in a clear manner, and use persuasion and negotiation to build consensus and cooperation; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; develop new techniques, concepts, theories, programs or solutions and apply them to complex strategic operating issues; typically work independently on complex work assignments, review progress and evaluate results and update management as appropriate; may direct and delegate work to lower-level staff.

Typical Education & Experience

8+ years related experience

Master’s Degree or higher in an applicable Physical Therapy discipline

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Required Certifications, Registrations or Licensure: Licensure as Physical Therapist

Typical Work Duties
  • Provide patient care or research in accordance with licensing regulations; provide independent patient assessment, evaluation and treatment
  • Assist with the development and implementation of orientation programs
  • May plan, schedule, conduct, or coordinate detailed phases of the work of a major project or moderate steps in a total project
  • Make substantial contributions to determining feasibility of goals/objectives and departmental workflows
  • May evaluate procedures, protocols and proposed or ongoing projects
  • May contribute or lead in intellectual development activities; create opportunities to enhance methodology or content through expansion of existing or development of new efforts; may extend unit activities into new application areas
  • Use peer network to expand capabilities and identify new organizational opportunities
  • Contribute to broad strategic objectives; develop and maintain relationships with major stakeholders
  • Identify project work which may impact customer decisions and strategies
  • May initiate new project concepts, develop proposals and make presentations to stakeholders

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 5  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
HCHC0305 L Exempt

Level 5 positions typically extend mastery of job knowledge to the principles, theories and practices of related specialties; expand knowledge of best practices and incorporate into all work assignments and procedures; evaluate and enhance current practices and efforts to ensure optimal support of diversity; oversee leadership of teams and projects that involve extensive cooperation and coordination between multiple departments across the University or with external customers; prepare written and/or verbal presentations or proposals on highly complex issues and deliver to a broad variety of audiences; identify and implement innovative solutions to important, highly complex strategic and/or operational issues which may involve unusual circumstances and incomplete or conflicting data; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; work independently on highly complex or strategic assignments; may direct and supervise lower-level staff.

Typical Education & Experience

12+ years related experience

Master’s Degree or higher in an applicable Physical Therapy discipline

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Required Certifications, Registrations or Licensure: Licensure as Physical Therapist

Typical Work Duties
  • Provide direct patient care or research in accordance with licensing regulations; provide independent patient assessment, evaluation and treatment
  • May direct and/or participate in major proposal preparation and presentation
  • Initiate change processes
  • Negotiate agreements
  • Provide proactive analysis of complex data in support of the strategic plan
  • Utilize high level advanced skill in communications regarding significant and complex situations
  • Speak on behalf of the unit
  • Participate in budget development
  • Authorize expenditures
  • Develop and plan resource allocations
  • Oversee change management processes which have significant impact on the University
  • Accept or decline vendor responses to requests for proposal
  • Exercise oversight authority for administration and compliance of University policies and state and federal laws
  • Develop strategic plan within assigned functional area
  • Ensure appropriate application, implementation, monitoring, measurement, evaluation, analysis, and adjustment occur within functional area to ensure quality standards are met
  • Develop new theories, concepts, principles, standards and methods in specialty areas and apply to previously unsolvable problems
  • Make recommendations that impact important University policies or programs

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.