Physical Therapy Chief

The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS) is the second largest municipal health system in the nation. Through its unified system of 23 health centers and four hospitals - and expanded network of community partner clinics - DHS annually provides direct care for over 500,000 outstanding patients, employs over 23,000 staff, and has an annual budget of over $8.4 billion.

MISSION: To advance the health of our patients and our communities by providing extraordinary care.

DEFINITION: Directs a small staff providing physical therapy services in treating patients with any physical or mental disease or injury and in training students in an autonomous acute or rehabilitation hospital.

Essential Job Functions

• Evaluates needs and services and sets goals, objectives and standards of physical therapy services; develops programs, establishes policies and practices, delegates responsibilities to first line supervisors to implement physical therapy programs to meet the goals and reviews progress in achieving goals.
• Advises subordinate supervision in resolving problems of employee utilization, grievances, and discipline.
• Directs subordinate supervision and therapy staff in the development of new therapy programs and revision of existing programs.
• Analyzes and evaluates ongoing physical therapy programs to assess the quality of patient care and the need to incorporate new therapy programs and techniques.
• Interviews and selects prospective employees and makes final decision to hire; evaluates the performance of first line supervisors and reviews all performance evaluations.
• Compiles the annual budget with justifications for submittal to the appropriate authority in the medical department or hospital administration.
• Maintains liaison with the physical therapy staff, allied health disciplines and outside agencies to promote cooperation and obtain assistance in evaluating, identifying and updating physical therapy services.
• Determines budgetary requirements for personnel, facilities and equipment for the physical therapy department.
• Plans and directs physical therapy training assignments for students.
• Plans educational opportunities for the therapy staff to improve therapy services and to keep abreast of new therapy techniques.
• Directs research applicable to the development and improvement of therapy services.
• Directs the maintenance of records and preparation of reports.

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS:

TRAINING AND

EXPERIENCE:

Graduation from a physical therapy curriculum acceptable to the Commission on Accreditation on Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association and approved by the Physical Therapy Board of California; or successful completion in a Physical Therapy school or schools of a resident course of professional instruction equivalent to the educational standards approved by the Physical Therapy Board of California.

AND Five (5) years of physical therapy experience, two (2) years of which must have been at the level of Physical Therapy Supervisor I or higher.

LICENSE:

• A license to practice as a Physical Therapist issued by the Physical Therapy Board of California.
• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

DESIRABLE

QUALIFICATIONS:

Additional credit will be given to applicants who possess the following desirable qualifications:

• Experience managing physical therapy services in several treatment units or programs in an acute, rehabilitation or psychiatric hospital or clinic.

The County of Los Angeles is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.