Chief Therapist - Medical Therapy Unit



Chief Therapist - Medical Therapy Unit

Salary

$108,300.66 - $131,613.79 Annually

Location

Santa Rosa, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

23/03-2320-OC

Department

Department of Health Services (DHS)

Opening Date

03/15/2023

Closing Date

6/20/2023 12:00 PM Pacific

Bargaining Unit

50

Position Information

The County of Sonoma's Department of Health Services is seeking an experienced California-licensed Physical or Occupational Therapist to become the next Chief Therapist for the Medical Therapy Unit.

Starting salary up to $63.06/hour ($131,613/year), a cash allowance of $600/month, and a competitive total compensation package!* 

What We Offer


Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:
 
  • A hybrid telework schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignment
  • Eligibility for a salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
  • Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
  • County paid 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
  • An annual Staff Development/Wellness Benefit allowance of up to $1,700 and ongoing education/training opportunities
  • County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
  • Retirement fully integrated with Social Security
  • May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment
About the Position


The Chief Therapist serves as the program manager for the California Children's Services (CCS) Medical Therapy Unit (MTU). The position is responsible for implementing and evaluating the MTU program as a whole. Duties include:


  • Planning, supervising, and evaluating activities of physical and occupational therapists and support staff 
  • Holding regular meetings with Supervising Pediatric Therapists to ensure adherence to policies and procedures 
  • Assessing the public health priorities and needs within the population of MTU-eligible children to ensure access to appropriate level of care
  • Reviewing staffing caseloads to determine compliance with state mandates
  • Collaborating with CCS administrative and Partnership Health Plan staff to ensure client care and case management guidelines are met
  • Reviewing budget and spending to guarantee the program stays within budgeted expenses, and reviewing quarterly time studies
  • Engaging in state and intercounty collaborative and information-sharing meetings related to the operation of the Medical Therapy Program
  • Providing contract management and oversight
  • Providing administrative oversight and review of electronic health records and workflow
  • Collaborating with programs and services offered within the Public Health Division, as well as community based organizations, on behalf of MTU families that can potentially benefit from those services
  • Overseeing the MTU student intern program

In addition to being reliable, patient, self-confident, and having high emotional intelligence, the ideal candidate will possess:


  • Significant experience as a Physical Therapist (PT) or Occupational Therapist (OT) providing therapy to pediatric patients
  • Working knowledge of the day-to-day operations of the MTU Program, including rules, regulations, policies, and guidelines 
  • Excellent verbal and written communication, supervisory, training, and team-building skills
  • Strong organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple assignments, meet deadlines, and work in a fast-paced environment
  • Cultural sensitivity and the ability to interact with a diverse customer base
  • The ability to handle sensitive situations with kindness, empathy, professionalism, and a calm demeanor
  • The ability to interpret data and the initiative to be on top of the latest research related to client care
  • A high degree of emotional intelligence, empathy, and openness to feedback
  • An interest in taking on new challenges and developing innovative strategies to improve service delivery models
  • Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Office skills 
  • Training in family-centered and episodic treatment care is a plus!

The Medical Therapy Unit (MTU)


The MTU provides physical and occupational therapy services to eligible children with physical disabilities and often accompanying complex medical diagnoses. The Chief Therapist position oversees the MTU located at three school-based sites (the main MTU and two smaller satellite programs) within the County. The MTU program is housed within the Healthcare Coordination Section under the direction of the Director of Public Health Nursing within the Public Health Division. The MTU program serves over 300 children and their families on an ongoing basis.

*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Salary Resolution (SalRes) and our Employee Benefits Directory.
 
 This recruitment is being conducted to fill a Chief Therapist - Medical Therapy Unit position in the Department of Health Services. The Civil Service title for this classification is Medical Therapy Program Manager. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment.
 
APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: Any combination of training and experience which would provide an opportunity to acquire the required knowledge and abilities.  Normally, four years of full-time paid experience as a licensed physical or occupational therapist, one year of which must have been treating children with physical disabilities, and two years of which includes working in a supervisory capacity.
 
License: Possession of a current, valid license to practice physical therapy issued by the Physical Therapy Board of California or a current, valid license to practice occupational therapy issued by the California Board of Occupational Therapy.  License must be renewed every two years prior to expiration.
 
Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Thorough knowledge of: principles and methods of occupational and physical therapy, especially as applied to children with physical disabilities; proper use and operation of modern occupational and physical therapy equipment and appliances; anatomy, physiology, neuromuscular functions and dysfunctions, and kinesiology; pathology and injuries which result in physical impairment.
 
Considerable knowledge of: growth and development of children and those with physical disabilities; supervision and training; psychology and abnormal psychology.
 
Working knowledge of: federal and state rules, regulations and policies as related to services and medical eligibility for children with physical disabilities.
 
Ability to: plan, organize and direct a therapy program for children with physical disabilities; supervise, direct, coordinate and evaluate the work of subordinate personnel; understand and interpret physician's orders and adapt treatment programs to individual circumstances; effectively coordinate the children's therapy program with other public health and community programs; supervise the maintenance of complete and detailed department records, and to prepare accurate and concise technical reports; exercise tact and good judgment in dealing with patients, staff, parents, school personnel and the public; prepare and present oral and written reports; comply with common public health safety practices and procedures; cope with working with children and their families and to move children utilizing appropriate transfer techniques.

Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

  • Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
  • You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
  • You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
  • Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.
Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.

APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.

Responses to supplemental questions will be scored using position-specific criteria. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient and therefore may not be scored.

The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:

An Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%). Each application and supplemental questionnaire will be thoroughly evaluated for satisfaction of minimum qualifications and relevance of educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities that relate to this position. Candidates possessing the most appropriate job-related qualifications will be placed on an employment list and referred to the department for selection interviews.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION – Positions that are assigned to one or more facilities with a COVID-19 vaccine mandate pursuant to the California Department of Public Health must meet all vaccination requirements. Documented proof of vaccination(s) will be required.


HOW TO APPLY

Applications are accepted on-line at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org. Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. Continuous recruitments may close without notice at any time that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted. 

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.
 
HR Analyst: DP
HR Technician: RR

IMPORTANT NOTE: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.

COUNTY OF SONOMA BENEFITS: MANAGEMENT*
 
These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:
 
Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation accrual and sick leave accruals; additional management leave annually; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.
 
Health Plan: Choice of five health plans (a PPO, EPO, HMO, and two deductible HMOs) with a County paid premium contribution.
 
Cash AllowanceIn addition to monthly salary, a cash allowance of approximately $600 per month.
 
Retirement: Fully integrated with Social Security. For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired.
 
IRS 457 Plan: Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.
 
Retiree Medical: County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.
 
Plus excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.

For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331. Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources/divisions-and-units/employee-relations/labor-agreements-and-salary-resolution. For specific information about health and welfare benefits including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts go to https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources or, contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at benefits@sonoma-county.org or (707) 565-2900.

*IMPORTANT NOTES: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.

01
How did you first learn about this opportunity?
  • American Physical Therapy Association
  • California Physical Therapy Association
  • CalJobs
  • Careers in Government
  • College or University
  • Craigslist
  • DiversityJobs
  • Employee of Sonoma County
  • Facebook
  • Glassdoor
  • Google Jobs
  • GovernmentJobs.com
  • Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Sonoma County
  • Indeed
  • Instagram
  • Job Fair
  • La Voz
  • Latino Service Providers
  • LinkedIn
  • Los Cien
  • Minority Organization or Group
  • Press Democrat
  • sonoma-county.org/www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org
  • Sonoma County Human Resources Office
  • Sonoma County Job Line
  • Start Here!
  • Twitter
  • Veterans Services Office
  • Women's Organization or Group
  • Workplace Diversity
  • Other Internet Site
  • Other Publication
02
Please indicate if you would also be interested in future part-time or extra-help (temporary, intermittent, or seasonal employment) positions should they become available. Check all that apply.
  • I would also like to be considered for future part-time positions
  • I would also like to be considered for future extra-help positions
  • I am only interested in full-time positions
03
Do you possess a current Physical Therapy License issued by the Physical Therapy Board of California, or a current Occupational Therapy License issued by the California Board of Occupational Therapy?
  • Yes
  • No
04
Please describe your training and experience as an Occupational or Physical Therapist, highlighting any experience you have with pediatric clients. Include in your answer the name of the employer(s), your position title, dates of employment, and a brief description of your duties.
05
Please describe your recent supervisory experience as a Physical or Occupational Therapist, and include. Please include in your answer the name(s) of the employer, your position title, dates of employment, the number and types of employees you supervised, and your role and responsibilities as a supervisor., and their job titles.

Required Question

Agency
County of Sonoma (CA)
Address
575 Administration Drive, Suite 116B

Santa Rosa, California, 95403
Phone
(707) 565-2331